Questions about taking the pill for 1 month only.

**lillyrose** · 02-24-2011 07:34 AM

My boyfriend is coming to visit for a couple of weeks. I would like to have sex without a condom (for the first time) so obviously I need to take the pill. Since I will not see him again for a few months, I don't want to continue taking the pill. I don't have a lot of money and it seems unnecessary.

So, my question is this. If I start talking the pill on the first day of my period it will be effective immediately ( since you're infertile during your period and it only takes a few days for the hormones to start working) If I only take 1 month's worth, I should be safe, right? I will only be having sex on the days I am taking the pill and the pack will take me to about 1 week after I've stopped having sex.

I have an appointment at a clinic, so I will ask there too, but any information is appreciated.

Thanks

**ItsASecret** · 02-24-2011 09:58 AM

If I start talking the pill on the first day of my period it will be effective immediately ( since you're infertile during your period and it only takes a few days for the hormones to start working)

False. You are still fertile during your period. Also false is it being effective immediately. It will take a few days before it enters the "full effect" stage, from that point it becomes more and more safe to have unprotected sex. Some women it can take a month before the pill is fully effective. Condoms are still going to be recommended for the first week or two of taking the pill.

**lillyrose** · 02-24-2011 10:50 AM

This is what I have found on the Planned Parenthood website.
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"Combination Pills
You may start the combination pill at any time. If you start within five days after the start of your period, you are protected against pregnancy right away. You will not need to use a backup method of birth control. That means that if your period starts on a Wednesday morning, you can start the pill up to Monday morning to be protected right away. If you start at any other time during your menstrual cycle, you will be protected from pregnancy after seven days. Use another method of birth control — like a condom, female condom, diaphragm, or sponge — if you have vaginal intercourse during the first week of use."
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I have also found this on several different websites concerning calendar based methods of birth control. I have never and would never rely on this method, but they call say the same thing.

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1. Count the first day of your period as day 1.
2. On days 1 to 7 you are not fertile and can have unprotected intercourse. (Provided neither partner has an STD, it is medically safe to have sex even while menstruating!)
3. On days 8 to 19 you must avoid sex or use a barrier method if you do not want to get pregnant.
4. From day 20 until your period starts you can have unprotected sex.
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I suppose I'll just take it for a full month before, to be safe, but it still seems unnecessary.

**LanaBear** · 02-24-2011 11:04 AM

Just an FYI, you CAN get pregnant while on your period. It happened to a Mod on this forum. Is it a rare occurrence? Yes, but it can happen.

My suggestion, if you are not looking to get pregnant, error on the side of caution and use BC.

**CHANDLERS WISH** · 02-24-2011 02:11 PM

Yes, they do say that the first week after your period you are "un-likely" to get pregnant.

Yes, they do say that once you commence the pill, after 7 days you should be fine.

They should not be saying you are "fully" protected...You are never fully protected, you are 99% protected even if on the pill for years, as Lana pointed out, as one of our Mod's got pregnant on the pill.

Most Doctors will encourage you to not have un-protected sex, if your commencing birth control, until you've taken the whole month, had your next period then approach sex without protection.

We all hate condoms

I come from an era where we didn't really consider them, they were talked about but we were carefree..but it's always a risk.

My suggestion would be, if you don't want to get pregnant, take the pill, find the one that suits you and by next time he visits you'll no longer have to use them again...Patience can be a virtue.

CW