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Anyone who has time, and are female, could you please explain the birth control pills?
Sex & Intimacy / 4:58 PM - Saturday April 18, 2009

Anyone who has time, and are female, could you please explain the birth control pills?

I've read information on them, but I sometimes get confused. For example:

Birth control pills are not effective immediately. From the day you begin taking your first pack of pills, it takes one full cycle (1 pack of pills) to start effectively preventing pregnancy.

Does that mean I can get pregnant even if I take them? Should I use a box before I have sex to be safer?

And also, you need to get a physician to obtain a prescription? so I cant just go and grab one, pay for it and use them? I have to ask for it?
that's embarrassing for me >< I'm a really shy girl.

- Asked by Female, 18-21

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I can get pregnant even if I take them? YES

Should I use a box before I have sex to be safer? YES you
should if you are planing to use BC for long term use.

you need to get a physician to obtain a prescription? YES

cant just go and grab one, pay for it and use them? NO
I have to ask for it? YES

Birth Control is very tricky and it works differently on every female..I SUGGEST you get a NON HORMONAL IUD inserted like the PARAGUARD..I've have the paraguard for 6 months..i get my period regularly...and everythings fine.

- Response by madi24k, A Hip Hop Girl, Female, 22-25, New York, Body Work

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Yes, you need to see a gyno. If you are mature enough to be having sex then you should be mature enough to be able to see the doctor and talk to him or her. Its your body and your health and you should establish a relationship with someone you like. I go to my local Planned Parenthood for my check ups and I love the docs they have there.

You should definitely use a back up method of protection if you haven't taken one full month of the pill yet. Even with the pill you should use a condom b/c of STD's. Please read up on protection before you have sex. It sounds like you really need to educate yourself before taking such a big step.

- Response by dolphingirl44, A Sweet Sarah, Female, 36-45, Philadelphia, Retail

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You need a doctor because the pills are medicine. Any medicine you take (even over the counter) CAN cause bad reactions. They need to know your medical history so that they find the right one for you.

You can have sex BUT... you need to use a condom until you have finished the first cycle. It's best (if possible) to not have sex while going through the first cycle.

It's great that you ask these questions because so many don't and they end up with consequenses.

It seems as though you are a smart girl who wants to take control and make wise choices. You need to take the information to your doctor. It's not as scary as you think. You can go in for any reason... just tell them it's a check up or you stubbed your toe and when you get in with the doctor, you can tell him that you want to talk to him about getting on birth control. Once you get that sentence out... the rest is easy. He'll ask you some questions, look over your medical history and you're done! They don't mind being duped by a fake reason as long as you are honest in the room with the doctor.

- Response by joent612, A Thinker, Female, 36-45, Tampa, Administrative

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In the US, you do need a prescription for birth control pills. When you go to get your prescription, your physican will explain how the pills works and how to take it properly.

For MOST (NOT ALL) pills, there are two ways to START on the pill. One: Sunday start method (keeps you from having your period on the weekends)- you start taking the pill the Sunday after your period starts. Usually, you are 99% protected from pregnancy after 7 days on the pill.
Two: Start taking the pill on the first day of your period. You will be protected from pregnancy from the day you start (but you'll have your period for a normal amount of time after you start).
Birth control is only 99% effective regardles of how long you've been taking it.
It does not take a entire month or full pack of pills in order for them to start working.
However, if you skip or miss pills, their effectiveness plummets. Each brand of birth control has its own set of parameters about what to do if you miss one.
Generally, you miss one, you take the missed pill whenever you realize you forgot and then take your next pill on schedule... even if that means taking them like 4 hrs apart from each other.
If you miss 2-3 pills, it depends on the week when you miss them (because different weeks of your cycle have different probabilities for ovulation). Your patient label package insert in your prescription (which is provided by law every time you fill your prescription) will tell you precisely what to do.
If becoming pregnant is a huge problem for you, remember they are only 99% effective. Use a condom or spermicides as back up.

These questions are best addressed by your doctor. Don't be embarrassed about it... it's really common to be on the pill and you should be open with your doctor about all your health concerns.
Your doctor can also tell you about other forms of birth control such as implants (those thingies that go under your arm that are painless), depo shots, and things like the nuva ring.
Generally, unless you've been pregnany before, they don't recommend IUDs since they aren't tolerated well by women who haven't been pregnant.

The morning after pill IS available over the counter but it's like 40 bucks. You DO have to ask the pharmacist for it and it is NOT NOT NOT NOT NOTTTTTTT intended to be used as a form of birth control... it's for when your birth control fails. (dog ates your pills, condom broke, etc).. ONLY!

But TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR!!


- Response by smizzle, A Sportif, Female, 26-28, Student

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yes, you can still get pregnant. Use a condom ALWAYS anyway. You do need to see a doc before you can get a prescription.

- Response by busyb704, A Thinker, Female, 36-45, Other Profession

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Once you start birth control pills, the typical waiting time is 7 days to be "safe". During those first 7 days, you need to use an alternative method of birth control.

I wouldn't buy bc pills off the internet. See you dr. or a planned parenthood office.

Don't be embarrassed. You're being responsible!!!!!!!!!!

- Response by cubbiegal, A Thinker, Female, 46-55, Chicago, Administrative

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You really need to see a gyno...I know your shy but IF your having your regular exams (like you should be if your sexually active) don't worry, you'll get over it quickly. But the pill..what they are saying, the pills are not real effective until they have been in your system for a month. Yes you need a script, but you can go to your local health clinic to get some.

- Response by solstess, A Thinker, Female, 46-55, Detroit, Artist / Musician / Writer

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"Shy" is not a good excuse; it's your body, you take care and control of it. When I was on the Pill (and this is going back 20 years ago), I was told to wait 4-6 weeks for the birth control to completely take effect. (However, being a dunderhead, I ended up getting pregnant on the pill anyway.)

"Yes" to your questions - and don't forget the condom (good advice). The Pill doesn't prevent HIV and other STDs.

- Response by myrtletyrtle, A Cool Mom, Female, 46-55, Who Cares?

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The biggest reason to see the doc to talk about BC is that all BC affects each woman differently. There's nothing worse than a BC method that makes you miserable. You're being mature, wise, and responsible. Trust me, your doctor has heard it all. If it's the doctor thing, you can always go to the nearest Planned Parenthood office too. Or do what I do, see a female doctor; who can relate to you and your body.

- Response by lioness21, A Player, Female, 26-28, Consulting

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Yeah you need a perscription.. and if your already sexually active your going to have to get a pap smear.. so get over the shyness, cause her comes the adult life. They need to check for cancer cells and what not, and ensure your insides are healthy.. its for your best interest.. when I had my second one they found a-typical cells.. and i had to get them burned off.. but Im thankful because if left untreated it could have turned into cancer.. yes it means they are not effective until one pack has been used so its can effectively prevent your body from ovulating.. thats what the pill does.. so it would be wise to use condoms during the first month.. and you have to use condoms if your taking other medication as well.. like antibiotics because they counter-act birth control pills.. you need to talk to your doctor.. dont be nervous.. they make it very comfortable.. and you can ask for a female doctor to do the pap smear if it makes you feel more comfortable. In all my experiences, doctors have been very accomodating and professional. Both women and men.

- Response by experienced123, A Thinker, Female, 22-25, Student

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No need to be shy. Drs deal with this all the time. So out of your shell and know they know what they are talking about.
There are many different contraceptive pills on the market . However the normal everyday women contraceptive pill does take up to a month to become safe and actively effective so if u are sexually active at present Yes use a condom and keep on using one as u may have various partners in time and better to be extra safe also.
2ndly yes The ONLY way to obtain the pill is via the Doctor there is no other way and building a relationship with your Dr and keep with the same Doctor is in your interest . If by chance your Doctor is the family Doctor know that your information is confidentual and your Doctor cannot discuss with anyone else without your adult age consent.
Be responsible for your body and well being against sexual patners , stds, and pregnancy.. Get on the right pill and use condoms..


- Response by berri, A Career Woman, Female, 46-55, Who Cares?

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You have to wait a month for most pills to be effective, and you should take it at the same time each day.

I would also use condoms, as the pill is not 100% effective. Using both together protects you better.

- Response by milla, A Cool Mom, Female, 29-35

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I use the brand Apri. Mines are 4 rows, 3 red & 1 white. You usually get your period when you hit the white ones. Ive used it since maybe i was 16. Never had an issue, no weigh gain, nothing. Everything is fine with me. It's not safe to have unprotected sex once you start drinking them. It's better if you drink the first pack atleast before having sex. I have sex everyday with my boyfriend, unprotected, he ejaculates inside me. Never gotten pregnant. Also, i got my pills from my gyno.

- Response by xava5x, An Alternative Girl, Female, 18-21, New York, Self-Employed

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even if u r on the pill, don't forget to use a condom. this is the best chance of preventing std's.

- Response by A Thinker, Female, 36-45, New York, Who Cares?

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