Expert: Brigid Kowalczyk - 6/29/2006

Question
My name is DaniMarie. I don't want to take birthcontrol , but am doing so in order to still live at my mom's. I realize that because I am in High School it is unadvisable for me to get pregnant. However , I am curious when the pills become effective. I am taking Ortho-Trycyclen and even though I have read all the information I recieved with my pills , I am still unclear on when they begin to really work.  Could you tell me when they begin to work and protect against pregnancy ?

Answer
You would not need to take birth control pills if you were not sexually active.  So it is a choice you have made.  You have to wait at least one month before you are "protected" against pregnancy.  At your age, it is really not a good idea to put these chemicals into your body.