Expert: Diane Cheryl - 8/9/2008

Question
Hello.  I recently got my first pack of Ortho pills and the ob-gyn said for me to start them the first sunday after my period starts, or on the first day if my period starts on a sunday.  My question is, will this throw off my cycle, ie. make my period stop a few days after it beins and then become screwy?  Also, will starting this way leave me fully protected from the beginning or will I have to use a backup method for awhile?  Thanks for your help!

Answer
Hi Nik,

Are you planning on starting your pills tomorrow, Sunday? I have been talking to some women lately who have been having problems with their cycles getting off. Yes, you should use a backup method for the first month but even when you are on the birth control pill for some time you can still get pregnant. It's not 100@ guaranteed, the only way you can be 100% sure is to practice abstinence. You are never fully protected. By the way, I don't recommend birth control pills or any kind of hormonal birth control. There have been too many risks and side effects reported to me lately about problems from these different methods. Is it possible that you could not start the pills and figure out some other method or perhaps not use birth control at this time of your life? Please email me at DCHERYL51@yahoo.com and we can talk more.

Sincerely,
Diane Cheryl