what day to start birth control pills - Women's Health Message Board

miznike · 04-27-2003, 11:31 AM

I am 19 years old and I am about to start OrthoCyclin for the first time. My doctor suggested I start the first pill on the first day of my period if I want it to become effective right away. I have also read that there is another way to start called the Sunday start. My question is which of these ways (First Day or Sunday Start) will give my the least side effects? I am asking this because I am going on vacation the week after my period and I don't want to have any bad side effects from the pill ruining my vacation. Please help.....

Pandabaire2 · 04-28-2003, 08:20 AM

The answer is that your going to get side effects regardless of what day you start. If you want to be able to have sex right away, start on the very first day of your period, no matter what day of the week that is.(then when your period winds down, you can have sex without additional protection - or you could even have sex while you have your period)

If you want your period to arrive on Sunday's only, then you start the pill on the very first Sunday AFTER your period starts - the only problem with this is that you need to use extra birth control protection for a full week before the pills are considered to be giving you 100% protection. I myself wanted to start having sex right away without having to wait a week or use a condom, so I started on the same day my period showed up which was a Monday. It really just depends on you - some women like to have a Sunday start because that sort of guarantees them no period on a weekend. The side effects (if your body displays them)will be there regardless of which starting method you use.

Blastoff9600 · 04-28-2003, 08:50 AM

The Sunday starters doesnt mean one's period while ont he pill will come on a Sunday. The one that do the Sunday start is because it is easier to start that way. You are starting at the beginning of the week and hence tends to be easier to remember than the first day start(which can happen any day of the week).

Also even with the pill one has to be aware you can get pregnant. It isnt 100% in preventing pregnancy even if taken perfectly. It tends to 97% to 99% effective. Using condoms will help...not only in adding to your protection against pregnancy but also STDs.

MysteryGrl · 04-28-2003, 02:22 PM

I agree with Blastoff. The first time I went on the pill, I started on Sunday and during my placebo week, my period would come on a Tuesday. I recently went off the pill then went back on and now my periods start on a Sunday. I guess it just depends on your body.

Pandabaire2 · 04-28-2003, 03:03 PM

Sorry, I guess I didn't make myself very clear - but I was trying to say that some women start on a sunday because they feel it's easier to keep track of than having to take the pill on a friday or saturday (if you start your period the day of your period, and it happens to be on a friday - then you will have to continue a every week on every friday) Some women prefer to take it on Sunday because it's easier yo remember...I didn't mean to say that they would hold off on their period for the weekend. Didn't come out right I guess from what I meant.