I have been on Estrostep FE for a month now and I love it. I had a bit of breakthrough bleeding my 2nd week but not bad. My period was SO light and short. Anyway...I went on BC because of my periods, they were terriblly heavy and long. I'm taking medication for epilepsy, and I know that the meds I take decrease the effectiveness of the pill. But my question is, how much? I still use a condom, but I'm just curious...am I protected more than say someone who isn't on BC at all? I SO wish I could have sex withiout a condom...it's just frustrating.

It's hard to say how much effectiveness EXACTLY is lost...certainly you're still better off then someone not on the pill, but beyond that it's anyone's guess. Definitely keep using the condoms while you're on the Dilantin, though. And don't worry -- epilepsy doesnt stick around forever in many people. Your other option would be an IUD -- Dilantin would not effect an IUD at all so if you got one inserted and you and your partner are clean, you could then have condom-free sex. :)

I take tegretol and lamical for the epilepsy...but I'm sure all 3 effect the BC. What is an IUD? I just wish I knew how much the BC decreased from working...I'm thinking about calling the doctor today. Cause if there was anyway I could have sex without one around the times I would NOT be ovulating, and not ejacualte inside me that would be great. But it's not worth it if I get pregnant, so I guess I'm just reaching!

And IUD gets put in your uterus. They look like little "T"s. There are two kinds, one that's copper, which probalby wouldnt work for you as it can make periods worse, and another one that has a bit of hormone in it to make periods better.

Your other option would to be go OFF birth control and do Fertility Awarness Method, wherein you keep track of cervical position and mucus and basal body temprature. But that method is a LOT of work.

On the pill, when taking somethign that makes it less effective, it's impossible to know when you will ovulate because despite the effectivess being lessened, your cycle is still altered.

Call your doctor and ask him, but I'm quite sure he wont be able to give you an exact number as to how much the pill's efficiency is lessened.

Colleen, I think that you should really talk to your doctor before you try anything else. You should really research IUD's because I've heard really bad things about them. As far as relying on when you are ovulating or not, you shouldn't. Unless you want a mini-Meyers, you should really be careful. Maybe there's a stronger pill that will increase the effectiveness w/ the epilepsy meds. Maybe instead of talking to the gyno doc you should talk to the epilepsy doc. You seem like a nice girl. I wish the best for you! :)