Expert: Brigid Kowalczyk - 6/16/2006

Question
my girl friend just started taking alesse 28 birthcontrol on sunday 6/4. We had unprotected sex on thursday 6/15 and i came out side of her (this is the main reason why we got the pill). She has taken the pills regularly and correctly. I was wondering when this pill is supposed to be fully effective? Should i be concerned?

She has also been taking herbal life to cleanse her body. Its a combination of a multi vitamin tablet, a shake designed for the person to loose weight with natural ingrediants. its not a laxitive, and she started it 3 days ago.

We called the clinic to make sure it was o.k to take with the birth control and they said yes it was. I would like a second opinoin about this. Is it safe to take with the pill and what could effect the pills on preventing pregnancy?
Thank you very much  

Answer
Generally, they recommend a month on the pill before considering you have the semi-confidence that you are going to be pregnancy-free.  There is no birth control that is 100% so there is always a risk.  Taking antibiotics increases the risk as well as not taking it exactly as it is prescribed.  I doubt there is anything compromising in her herbal life compounds.