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About Diana Archer
Expertise
I love questions on condoms, the pill, what to do if contraception fails, if you could be pregnant, obtaining contraception (Even without parental permission). I have a lot of experience with teenagers. One thing I don't know too much about is the IUD, but I'm working on it. I really do care about the people that ask me questions! I don't mind lots of follow up, and I like to know if things turned out okay. I'll be with you every step of the way!

Experience
I'm a sexual health nurse at a Family Planning clinic. Have many qualifications and much experience. Am currrently studying to upgrade to a gynocologist.

Organizations
Family planning clinic, Youth Help, Teenage Pregnancy Association.

Education/Credentials
Studied at University of Auckland. Have also trained in counselling.

Awards and Honors
Nurse of The Year from the National Health Organisation.

 
   

You are here:  Experts > Teens > Health for Teens > Birth Control > switching birth control brands

Birth Control - switching birth control brands


Expert: Diana Archer - 7/6/2009

Question
QUESTION: I have been using Yasmine for a year now and when I went to my check up they changed my brand to tri-cyclen lo, explaining that they did not carry the other brand any longer. When I started using the pill I was advised to wait for my body to get used to the hormone before having unprotected sex. Now that I am switching should I be waiting again? Also, is there any chance for me to become pregant now that i am on a pill with less hormone?

ANSWER: Hi Natalie,

I think that for the first week of your new pill, you should use condoms just to be safe. On a lower dose pill, your chances of pregnancy may be slightly higher, but the side effects you experience on higher dose pills such as headaches and nausea should be a lot less. However, the chances of pregnancy are not effected so much that you should be worried.


Diana

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you very much for your quick response to my original question. So now i was wondering, should i be worried if i haven't used a backup method during the first week?

Answer
Hey,

No you shouldn't be too worried if  you haven't used back up, because back up is just recomended as a 'just in case' thing.
Besides, people don't usually get pregnant straight after a period anyway, because they aren't ovulating yet (unless you have a very short cycle), so you are safe.
From what i've read, the side effects of Yasmine sound pretty nasty! Breakthrough bleeding, tiredness, aches, mood swings, nausea. Have you experienced much of this?

Diana

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