pi;; is working, right? - Birth Control Message Board

worry wort · 10-19-2005, 07:46 AM

I guess I'm just a paranoid person by nature, but I am always so worried that my BCP aren't going to work or that they're going to malfunction or something.
I've been on OthoTriCyclen Lo for a couple of years and I take it faithfully every morning.
I guess my question is (and this might sound stupid) can I trust that the pill is working properly to protect me from an unwanted pregnancy as long as I have a period during the placebo week?

AF comes every month for at least 4 days with normal cramping and all, but I get super nervous any time I feel even slighly nauseous or I have a back pain or anything really.

Am I nuts? Would it be better to ask for regular OrthoTriCylenc rahter than the Lo variety? Is that stronger?

Thanks!

GLSheridan · 10-19-2005, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by worry wort

I guess I'm just a paranoid person by nature, but I am always so worried that my BCP aren't going to work or that they're going to malfunction or something.
I've been on OthoTriCyclen Lo for a couple of years and I take it faithfully every morning.
I guess my question is (and this might sound stupid) can I trust that the pill is working properly to protect me from an unwanted pregnancy as long as I have a period during the placebo week?

AF comes every month for at least 4 days with normal cramping and all, but I get super nervous any time I feel even slighly nauseous or I have a back pain or anything really.

Am I nuts? Would it be better to ask for regular OrthoTriCylenc rahter than the Lo variety? Is that stronger?

Thanks!

If you take the pill perfectly (at the same time everyday, without drugs or foods that decrease effectiveness, and aren't ill or overweight), it's 99.9% effective, meaning that 1 in 1000 women will become pregnant using it the same way that you do. Those are pretty low odds.

The "Lo" doesn't mean lower effectiveness, it just means lower hormones. The difference is really small (I believe like 5mcg) between the regular OTC and the Lo. Yes, it's stronger, but it's not more potent, nor will it protect you against pregnancy more. If the Lo is working well for you, there's no reason to switch.

waiting4baby05 · 10-19-2005, 02:37 PM

If it is working for you and you take it every day at the same time, etc. then you should be fine. I am now 8 months pregnant and the pill I was on was also ortho tricyclen lo. I took it everyday at the same time also. One day I threw up shortly after taking it and that is the day I conceived.

worry wort · 10-20-2005, 07:34 AM

thanks for the replies. I suppose this pill is working for me,but I have been having breakthrough bleeding or spotting the week before me period almost every month since June this year.
I take all my active pills every monring and never skip a beat but usually on the weekend I'll sleep in and I take it about 3 hours later than the weekdays.
My Dr. told me this is probably the reason for the breakthrough bleeding.

But she didn't seem all that concerned that the bleeding could alter the pill's effectiveness...

Best wishes for a happy healthy pregnancy waitingforbaby05!! (((hugs)))

GLSheridan · 10-20-2005, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by worry wort

thanks for the replies. I suppose this pill is working for me,but I have been having breakthrough bleeding or spotting the week before me period almost every month since June this year.
I take all my active pills every monring and never skip a beat but usually on the weekend I'll sleep in and I take it about 3 hours later than the weekdays.
My Dr. told me this is probably the reason for the breakthrough bleeding.

But she didn't seem all that concerned that the bleeding could alter the pill's effectiveness...

Best wishes for a happy healthy pregnancy waitingforbaby05!! (((hugs)))

The bleeding does not mean that the effectiveness is compromised. You're still 99.9% protected from pregnancy.

It sounds like the third week of hormones in OTC Lo isn't strong enough for you. Perhaps, with your doctor, you should consider regular OTC, which has slightly stronger hormones each week, which might stop your spotting.