ok, so, I've just recently started having sex with my boyfriend. I'm the type of person who just does not like to put chemicals into my body unless it's absolutely necessary. So although my doctor wrote me a prescription for birth control when I had my appt last month, I decided I really didn't want to deal with all the changes that may/may not occur in my body. Basically, I'm petrified that, being a person who already struggles with weight problems, that I will gain even more...that I will lose my sex drive....have to deal with dryness or skin problems etc.

But...what I didn't realize was that even though my bf and I use condoms, I'm still awfully nervous about pregnancy. I read a lot and know the failure rates and feel like it's just not enough. And that rather than worry, I'd rather try out the bc, and hope for the best.

So, down to my question. I believe that you are supposed to start the pills the sunday after you get your period. Mine's due around the 16-17th. Although this may sound like a trivial thing to worry about, my bf and I are goin away for a weekend together the weekend of the 27th, we don't get a lot of "alone time" with our schedules and living arrangements. I just don't want to start taking the pills and end up with all kinds of bleeding and ruin our weekend together. But I can't say I even know what "breakthrough bleeding" is generally like. Is it light spotting sort of thing that you can deal with or is it heavy like a period? Should I even be worrying about this? Can I wait til a week or so after, since I can't really count on the pills being effective under a week after I start taking them?

Sorry this is long. Thanks for any advice. :)

If your period is due on the 16th or 17th, if you start taking the pills on the first day of your period, you will be fully protected by the 27th.

You don't have to start on the first sunday after, they just suggest that since generally it means your period will come during the week from then on so you don't need to worry about having periods on weekends. But many women also start taking the pill on the first day of their periods. They are called "Day one starters".

Starting on the first day of your period also means you are protected right away. You only need to back up for seven days when starting the pill on any other day but the first of your period.

As for breakthrough bleeding, that just refers to any bleeding that occurs during the active ("hormone") pills -- the first 21 pills in the pack. It can be spotting (like a tiny bit of blood when you wipe, or a pink tinge in your panties) or more like an actual period. It's impossible to say who will get breakthrough bleeding and who will not, but not all women get it and for those that do, it doesnt last for ages for all of them.

i mean, i know everyone is different, but if it makes you feel better, im getting the impression (just from asking my friends, sisters, etc..) that the average person's break thru bleeding is more like a spotting. like the very last day of your period. nothing that would get in the way, really, of being intimate with your boyfriend. but hey, you might not have any at all. im on ortho tricyclen lo and never had spotting, except when i was on an antibiotic, but that was super light and only one day.
yeah, if you start your pill the day you get your period, you dont have to worry about a "window" of time where its not effective, its effective immediately. good luck!

thanks, i think i will start taking it when I start my period.

I'd have asked my dr. all these questions, but he just sort of left the prescription with me and ran out. I suppose that's what I get for having my exam done by my regular doc who always seems to be in a hurry anyway. I think i'll find myself a nice gyno for next time :p

You will be fully protected if you start taking them when you start af. As for breakthrough bleeding it can vary. my first time on the pills I had breakthrough bleeding for a week then skipped a week and bled for another 2 weeks. After my son was born, I tried a new kind of pill & had no breakthrough bleeding. I guess it depends on the brand & the person.