Using the pill as birth control

**shoshannah** · 11-24-2010 10:32 AM

Hello,

I’m new to the board and have a sex/birth control question I need help with.

I’m 20 years old and I guess a late boomer—I just lost my virginity about a month ago. My boyfriend and I have been together a little over a year, and we lost our virginities to each other. :-)

I’m on the pill, which I’ve been on since I was 17 to control my acne and extremely heavy periods. It’s Ortho Tricyclen and I have always been very good about taking it, but I have never used it for birth control until this month. My boyfriend and I haven’t been using condoms since we were both virgins and neither of us have done drugs or anything. Also, our first time was sort of unplanned so we hadn’t bought any condoms. The first couple of times we had sex he pulled out, but we have had intercourse several times since then—maybe 10 or so—and except for the first couple of times he has been coming to orgasm in my vagina.

I just got my period this morning, right on schedule, but I'm now wondering about the effectiveness of the pill. Since I have never used it for birth control before, I was wondering if I need to take it in any different way than I have been (which is one pill a day every day, including the placebos). Also, is it safe for him to ejaculate in me if all we’re using is the pill? And finally, is it safe for us to have sex and to have him come in me during my placebo or inactive pill week?

I know we’ve been dumb this last month, so please don’t yell at me, but it’s been a very topsy-turvy time, plus we’re going to try to do things right from now on once we get back together after Thanksgiving. Thank for any information. :-)

**lizzardb63** · 11-24-2010 10:34 AM

As long as you continue to take it everyday at the same time, it is 99.9% effective at preventing pregnancy. You do not need to worry about getting pregnant during your placebo week either, because you have enough of the hormones in your system to last you through that week, but make sure you take your new packs right as scheduled. It sounds like you're doing everything that you should be.

**LanaBear** · 11-24-2010 10:38 AM

No one is going to yell at you here... There are really no stupid questions, other than the ones NOT asked.

As lizzard said, you are fine using it as birth control, many many of women have done it for many many years. Take it on time and you really have nothing to worry about, not even during the placebo weeks.

Welcome to the forum.