Expert: Norman Solberg - 6/5/2009

Question
So I started my birth control on a monday. I totally forgot what the doctor told me. Anyway I've been taking it for a month and I just started the next pack recently. One thing I'm worried about is that I started monday and got my period a week after I started the pills on a tuesday, then I took the sugar pills during the 7 days of my period. Then continued the rest of the pack. Is this correct? Or did I take it all wrong? Also I had unprotected sex after a month. Should I be worried?

Answer
As long as you got a period after you finished a pack, you don't need to be worried.  For future reference, you need to be taking the pills for at least 21 days before taking the sugar pills, or you lose protection.  You can take them for longer than 21 days, but not shorter.  If you originally start during a period, you usually won't start bleeding a week later.