Expert: Norman Solberg - 5/10/2009

Question
This is my first time of ever taking birth control, I barely started last sunday on May 3rd and my boyfriend and I had sexual intercourse on Friday May 8th. We didn't use protection, and he did finish in me 3 times. Am I at risk of becoming pregnat?

Answer
Hi Michelle,
You jumped the gun a little, in that it's recommended to use a backup method until you've been on the pill 7 days.  However, as long as you started during a period, the chance of pregnancy is very small.  You could probably decrease it more by taking emergency contraception, plan B, if it's available.  It's best if taken within 72 hours of intercourse.  In the future, you're protected by the pill every day, including the week of inactive pills, as long as you don't miss any of the active ones.