Warning!!! Female Issues Question!!
 

Now that I've scared all the guys away...:)

I have a question that's an offshoot of the pill thread. I just started on my second month of birth control pills. I'm on Alesse, which I love. When can I expect them to kick in? I've heard anything from a week to three months and while I DID call my doctor, she isn't returning my calls. Does anyone know? Thanks!

Well in terms of how long before you can safely have sex, I believe you should wait a month, or rather, three active weeks.

If this is your first time to ever be on birth control pills (i.e. "new user") then they typically tell you one month. Personally, I would still use a second form of protection, just because I would be paranoid. If you're comfortable with them, and you take them as prescribed, then you should be safe.

If you had simply switched pills, I've been told one week is sufficient, because you've already been on the hormones. However, some docs will tell you one month anyway...just to be on the safe side.

For precautionary reasons, I waited for 3 months until before -just- using the protection of the Pill.

For peace of mind, I advise you to wait the 3 months.

I waited three years before I made the Pill my only form of protection. When I brought up the subject to my doctor, she kinda scared me about the prevalence of HPV, which freaked my 18 year old mind out. I've been in a committed relationship for a long time now, with marriage on the horizon, so I've relaxed a little about getting pregnant.

i was on the same pill at one point. i swear the packaging and the gyno I went to said i could use that as my sole source of protection ONCE i started taking it. I think it just depended on when you started taking the pills. (i.e, when your period starts vs. just a sunday after.) i suppose it worked because i never got pregnant. i am off of it tho because the gynos were scared of giving me a new Rx because I was a diabetic. however, they perscribed me a years worth the year before. i didn't get it. so they put me on the shot instead. but i am painfully single so now i am not using anything.

I was told take the three active weeks, have one period, and then you should be fine when you start the next pack. However, if you have any problems with being sick to your stomach, you need to use a back up (but you said you love it so I am assuimg you are not having those problems). You could also call the pharmacist at any drug store and they can give you the correct information.

P.S. Ladies, that back up when sick is good for all of us to remember. If you get sick (vomiting or "intestinal issues" - sorry, but true) within a few hours of taking your pill, you should use a back up form of protection until you can consult with a doctor or pharmacist. Just a friendly word of caution....:D

On a side note about HPV....you can still contract this virus even if you are using a condom. The virus can be living on male genitals not are not covered by the condom (if you know what I mean). Just a little FYI! :p

Just out of curiosity... how many of you are comfortable just using the pill? Do most people use two forms or protection, or just the pill?

One more side note regarding HPV. It does not always tested for on men so they may have it without them knowing it. Trust me....

Something I just read: the pill is based on women who weigh 150 or less. If you weigh more than that, it may not be as effective as the 99.9% guarantee. Discuss it with your gynecologist if you are concerned.

Also, the pill is only 99.9% effective if you use it correctly, don't miss any pills, and take them at around the same time each day. Since a lot of people don't, the average failure rate is 3-5% per year.

My doctor told me the same thing with Alesse. I have been a dedicated user for 4 years now.

To answer AstoAphi's question I only use the pill.

I use only the pill also. (Boyfriend of almost 3 years)

Oh, yeah...I totally know that--I never said that you couldn't get it from skin-to-skin contact; I thought it was best to protect myself as much as I could. I just figured that I didn't want to put myself in the line of fire by deliberately going without a condom before my partner and I had been tested for everything a year after we had been together (from HIV to herpes; everything in between! Plus, there is a connection between cervical cancer and HPV and I really try to remain as safe as possible). My friends don't call me the Safer Sex Queen for nothing! :p