Can I Start Birth Control Before My Period

Do You Have To Take Birth Control At The Same Time Every Day

How To Delay Your Period: Myths & Facts

You must take progestin-only pills at the same time every day. If you take your pill more than 3 hours past your usual time, use a backup method of birth control for the next 48 hours . So theres no need to wait for the first day of your period to start taking your birth control pills you can start whenever you like!

Is it possible to delay your period with birth control pills?

Its possible to delay or prevent your period with continuous use of any birth control pill. This means skipping the inactive pills and starting right away on a new pack. Talk with your doctor about this option.

Is It Better To Start Birth Control Mid Cycle

You do not have to wait for your period to start taking the birth control pill. Birth control pills can be taken as soon as you get them, any day of the week, and anytime during your menstrual cycle. When youll be protected from pregnancy depends on when you start taking the pill, and the kind of birth control pill youre using. A back up birth control method is suggested during the first 7 days of being on the pill.

Cycle Timing Matters When Taking The Pill

How quickly your birth control method starts working depends on where you are in your menstrual cycle when it is introduced to your body.

If youre starting the pill, we recommend beginning on the last day of your period. Depending on how many days you bleed for, this will be after around 3 to 5 days of bleeding.

You may have seen other advice telling you to start your birth control the Sunday after you start your next period. This Sunday Start will cause you to bleed during the week, rather than ruining your weekend with a period.

Read Also: When Is It Considered A Missed Period

Can You Stop Birth Control Immediately

You may stop taking the pill whenever you wantâyou don’t have to finish the pack. Your menstrual cycle may be disrupted, but your period should return within three months. If it doesn’t, see your doctor right away.

Stopping the pill is not recommended as it can lead to unplanned pregnancy. You should continue with a safe method of contraception until your period returns and you are ready to start trying for babies.

If you forget to take your pill, there’s no need to panic. Simply skip the missed dose and resume taking the pill regularly as usual. There is no harm done by just skipping one pill. However, if you miss more than one pill or go more than four days without one, seek medical help before trying again later.

Some people feel better if they stop taking the pill for a few weeks first. This is fine as long as you do not delay seeking medical advice. Some methods of contraception work better if you time your periods correctly by stopping the pill around the time you would normally get your period. See your doctor to find out what method you should use instead.

For some women, it is necessary to wean off of the pill entirely before getting pregnant.

About Article Author

How And When To Start Your Pill Pack

Can I Get Pregnant A Week After My Period

Once you have your birth control pack, you may want to start right away. Before you swallow that first pill, there are some things to note. First, look at what type of pill it is.

For combination pills, or pills that contain both estrogen and progestin, Sherry Ross, M.D., OB-GYN, and womens health expert in Los Angeles, likes to recommend starting the pack on the first day of your period.

This gives you protection against getting pregnant that month and reduces the likelihood of irregular bleeding, she says.

If you take your first pill within five days of your period, youre protected immediately.

However, if you want to start sooner and your period isnt for a few weeks, you can still begin taking your birth control pills, but you wont be protected right away.

If you start the pill pack midcycle, youll need backup birth control, Ross says. That means you should use condoms or another form of birth control during your first week of starting birth control pills. After one week, the pills will protect against pregnancy.

You can also start progestin-only pills midcycle. Youll want to have a backup method in place for the first two days. After those two days, your birth control pills should be able to provide protection against pregnancy.

You May Like: Can A Uti Stop A Period

Birth Control Pill Protocol

Birth control pills and vaginal ring use can help improve menstrual cramps, reduce menstrual flow, help PMS, improve acne, regulate your periods, reduce your risk for ovarian and uterine cancer, relieve perimenopausal symptoms and prevent pregnancy.

Periods on birth control are not true periods, but called withdrawal bleeding. That is because the birth control pill or ring is withdrawn for a period to occur. Many women are now using birth control continuous to relieve menstrual problems and for convenience. It is safe not to have a period as long as you are on birth control.

After A Miscarriage Or Abortion

If you have had a miscarriage or abortion, you can start the pill up to 5 days after this and you will be protected from pregnancy straight away. If you start the pill more than 5 days after the miscarriage or abortion, you’ll need to use additional contraception until you have taken the pill for 7 days.

You May Like: Losing A Lot Of Blood During Period

Vaginal Infection In Women

Women with pelvic inflammatory disease caused by gonorrhea and chlamydia infection can sometimes have irregular bleeding or spotting during their menstrual cycle. This bleeding is usually lighter than you menstruation with other symptoms like

  • Low abdomen pain
  • Vaginal itching and pain

If you notice these symptoms, then your early period may be due to an infection. Inform your doctor as vaginal infection can easily be treated with antibiotics.

Side Effects Of Hormonal Birth Control

Starting The Pill

You may experience side effects when using any type of hormonal birth control. These vary a little depending on which type of birth control you are using. Tell your doctor about any side effects that are bothering you.

Although it is rare, hormonal birth control methods, especially those that contain estrogen, increase your risk of developing a blood clot in your leg . Seek medical help immediately if you have trouble breathing, which can happen if a clot moves into your lung . A pulmonary embolism is a medical emergency.

For more information on contraception options, including their advantages and disadvantages, .

Read Also: Is It Normal To Have A Smell After Period

Dear Birth Control Pill Wheres My Period

Dear Birth Control Pill, Wheres My Period?!

Ive been on the pill for about a year. I follow instructions, take it at the same time every day and all that, but for the past few months, I either havent gotten my period or Ive gotten a REALLY small amount of bleeding at the end of the pack like hardly anything at all. My doctor says its because Im on a low-dose pill and getting a barely-there period or no period is pretty common, but Im freaking out and running to the drugstore every month for a pregnancy test. What gives? Wheres my period?

Sincerely, Anxious and On The Pill

Dear Anxious,

I get it. I really do. You take your pill every day, you have sex, you cross your fingers and hope the pill does its job, and at the end of the month you breathe a giant sigh of relief when your period comes. But WAIT! No period or a super-light period?! UNACCEPTABLE. Mini panic attack and a trip to Target for a pregnancy test.

LETS TAKE A STEP BACK, SHALL WE? Lets talk about what the pill is and what it does. The combination oral contraceptive pill , contains estrogen and progestin. These hormones in the pill work in the following ways to prevent pregnancy:

  • Stops ovulation . No Egg = No Baby.
  • Thickens cervical mucus, which acts like a roadblock to sperm.
  • Thins the lining of your uterus so a fertilized egg would not be able to implant.

THE PILL AND PERIODS.

HOW EFFECTIVE IS THE PILL?

HOW DO I AVOID MY MONTHLY FREAK OUT IF I DONT BLEED?

Is It Bad To Skip My Period On The Pill

Overall, the consensus is yesits okay to skip your withdrawal bleed on the pill. But since there are so many differently dosed birth control pills, its always best to first discuss the option of skipping your period with your healthcare provider to make sure that it is a safe and healthy option for you.

How can I delay my period while on birth control?

Birth control pills Its possible to delay or prevent your period with extended or continuous use of any combined estrogen-progestin birth control pill. Your doctor can recommend the best pill schedule for you, but generally, you skip the inactive pills in your pill pack and start right away on a new pack.

Don’t Miss: What Is A Girls First Period Like

How To Take The Pill

Take your pill every day at the same time. This is especially important if youâre on the progestin-only minipill, which has a smaller margin for error than regular pills with both estrogen and progestin. It may help to set an alarm on your phone or post a calendar on your fridge as a reminder. When you finish a packet , take the first pill in a new packet the next day.

Some medications, including the antibiotic rifampin and the herb St. Johns wort, can interact with birth control pills. So use a back-up contraceptive.

What Kind Of Bleeding Is Considered Normal While On The Contraceptive Pill

28 Reasons People Really Use Birth Control
  • Unexpected spotting for the first few months while taking a new pill

  • Withdrawal bleeding that is lighter, or shorter than your period before you were taking the pill

  • Withdrawal bleeding that changes slightly over time while on the pill

  • Having little or no bleeding during your placebo week after taking your pills correctly

Also Check: Im Two Days Late On My Period

On Birth Control Here’s What To Do If Your Period Starts Before You Reach The Placebo Pills

Thanks to birth control, I always know when my period is going to start. That is, until it decided to arrive a few days early one month and I still had four active pills left in my pack. We talk about the causes for late periods all the time, but what about early periods? For me, the bleeding was so sudden and unexpected that I went into panic mode. I didn’t know what to do: Do I stop taking my pills or carry them over to the next month? What does this mean for next month’s period? Most importantly, I didn’t understand how my period could be early if I’m on birth control.

As it turns out, unscheduled or “breakthrough bleeding” is one of the more common side effects of hormonal birth control, according to Tatiana Araujo, MD, an ob-gyn in Hollywood, FL.

Dr. Araujo explained that breakthrough bleeding can be brought on by a variety of factors, such as not taking the pill at the same time every day, missing a pill, or switching to a different brand or dosage. Unscheduled bleeding is also fairly common when you first start taking birth control, especially if you have a history of irregular periods. “If someone already has an irregular menstrual cycle to begin with, it may take up to three months of initiation of birth control pills â if taken appropriately and as scheduled and instructed â for their cycle to ‘normalize,'” Dr. Araujo said. Additionally, intense exercise, weight fluctuations, and stress can cause unscheduled bleeding.

How Long After Stopping Birth Control Will You Get Your Period

Okay, so youre on birth control that has stopped your period, but now youre ready to leave that contraceptive method behind. While the exact timeline of when your period will return depends on a variety of factors, the Mayo Clinic says menstrual periods generally resume within three months after stopping birth control pills. This is also true of other types of birth control, with the exception of the shot, which can take much longersometimes between 6 and 18 months, according to the Center for Young Womens Health.

Regardless of the type, your body and menstrual cycle will need time to adjust. This could mean you get a typical period within a month, or you could experience spotting or irregular periods for a few months, according to the Cleveland Clinic. But remember, this is often temporary, and your cycle may return to its pre-birth control days in just a matter of time. For others, it may not.

Don’t Miss: How Do You Get Your Period To Stop

Combination Birth Control Pills

If a combination birth control pill is started for the first time on the Sunday after your period begins, your period should occur about 25 days later. Ask your healthcare provider which day is the best to start your specific pill pack. If your period begins on a Sunday, you can start the pill pack on that Sunday.

  • In general, about 3 days after finishing all of the 21 active tablets in a 28 pill pack, most women will start their period.
  • If you use a 28-pill pack, you’ll get your period during the week you take the reminder pills.
  • If you use a 21-day pill pack, you’ll still get your period the week you do not take any pills. Remember that the 21-day pack has no reminder pills. Use a reminder to help you stay on track.

There Are Several Health Benefits To Starting The Pill

How To Start The Pill For The First Time (2019)

While you are definitely going to experience some side effects on the pill, you can ease your mind by knowing you will also experience some health benefits. There are many health benefits of the pill ranging from reducing your chances of ovarian, endometrial, and colon cancer to regulating cycles, reducing unwanted hair growth and acne, Dr. Stacey tells Her Campus. She adds that the pill is typically a very safe birth control option, and no other prescription drug has been more studied or researched.

Birth control pills almost always come with varying side effects especially during that first month. However, if you believe starting birth control is a good option for you, you can always try out several different options until you find a pill or method that works best for you. It may be difficult at the time, but the end result is far worth it and you can always consult a doctor to help guide you through the process.

Experts

Recommended Reading: How To Make Period Less Heavy

The Best Start Time Depends On The Birth Control

Different types of birth control have different recommended start dates. When you start your birth control will determine whether youre immediately protected against pregnancy or not.

  • Combination birth control pills: Start within the first five days of period for immediate protection. If you start a combination pill mid-cycle youll receive pregnancy protection after seven days.
  • Progestin-only birth control pills : Start at any time. It provides protection after two days.
  • The patch: Start within the first five days of period for immediate protection. It provides protection after seven days if started mid-cycle.
  • The NuvaRing: Start within the first five days of period for immediate protection. It provides protection after seven days if started mid-cycle.
  • The depo shot : Start within the first seven days of your period for immediate protection. It provides protection after seven days if started mid-cycle.

How Do Birth Control Pills Work

There are dozens of varieties of birth control pills available with a prescription from a healthcare provider. All birth control pills contain varying levels of hormones, which are released into a womans body to prevent pregnancy. The hormones in birth control pills stop ovulation, which prevents the release of an egg and thickens the mucus surrounding the cervix. By stopping the release of an egg, birth control pills usually make your period more predictable, and can affect the flow and side effects associated with your period each month.

No brand of birth control pills protects against sexually transmitted diseases , and thus you should use an appropriate barrier form of birth control to protect yourself against the spread of infections and diseases.

Birth control pills are taken on a daily basis to ensure the consistent release of hormones. Each birth control type and brand comes with different side effects. To know which pill is right for you, it is important to understand how the various kinds of birth control pills are designed to interact with your body.

You May Like: How Do You Know If Your Starting Your Period

Reducing Exercise If Youre An Athlete

Missing periods may occur due to low energy availability, especially in adolescent athletes. This can occur if you arent taking in enough energy relative to the energy youre burning through exercise.

People who limit their food intake and engage in extreme exercise, with or without the use of laxatives, may develop amenorrhoea. This may be considered a warning sign for other health issues associated with low energy, such as poor bone accrual and low bone mineral density, both of which are associated with decreased bone strength.

If you may have amenorrhoea due to low energy availability, it is best to reduce the amount of exercise you do on a daily basis. You may want to see a doctor or trainer to determine how much exercise is safe for you to perform.

Related Posts

Popular Articles