I'm new! And sorry, it's crossposted!

[for-sure.livejournal.com]

I have a question. I usually call my doctor, but I think I'll try you guys out! =)

I'm on LOESTRIN-FE and 2 weeks ago started a new job, so I needed to change my pill time. I was under the impression that to change it I could just take it at the desired time the next day. However, I was in the middle of my pack. I went from taking it at 9pm exactly every night, to taking it anywhere from 1130pm-1230, but just for those last two weeks. (I plan on taking them at 12am every night from now on as soon as I start my new pack). I was still protected, right? Is an hour leeway okay for a pill that is low dose, for a woman (me) who isn't exactly a small girl (about 190lbs)?

Because Sunday I started my placebo pills, and my period came just as planned, on wednesday, except it was a different shade of red. I wouldn't say it's exactly light, but I rarely need to change my pads or tampons. And when I wipe it's all over the toilet paper, and it seems like the blood just isn't coming out! There have also been little chunks of blood type things in the toilet after I use the bathroom.

While I was doing the change over, was I at any point unprotected to where I could have gotten pregnant? I know it might be a dumb question since on I'm on period as we speak, but I'm a little confused because some people say you can get your period while being pregnant and on the pill, while some people say you cant. My period is just a little different, and I got paranoid.

***Also, I have a lot of personal things going on in my life right now that are really stressing me out, could that cause a lighter period?***

Comments

[rachel2205.livejournal.com]

The pill often makes periods lighter, and stress can affect you. Those "chunks" are probably blood clots - normally you get them witha heavier flow, but they aren't anything probably to worry about.

[scotiabunnie.livejournal.com]

I am going through the exact same thing, except right now I am going off the pill. I screwed up my packs and actually started bleeding while I was taking them. Now I'm dealing with this light period that isn't really coming out except in the bathroom. It's all very odd, but I wouldn't worry.

[choo-choo-bear.livejournal.com]

I was told by a midwifery student that it is _extremely_ important to take bc pills at the same time every day. The pills available thirty years ago had much higher doses, and so there was more flexibility in terms of timing. Today, though, the dosage in bc pills is so low that apparently if you're more than an hour or two late taking it, the effectiveness of the pill drops by HALF. So, if you take the pill at 9pm every day, for example, and one day you happen to take it at 10:30 or 11pm instead, it would probably be a good idea to use additional forms of protection (ie. condoms) for the rest of the month because chances are the pill's effectiveness has been significantly reduced.

I've always been extremely strict in taking my pill every day (I even set the alarm on my cell phone to remind me!), but after hearing this bit of news I'm even more careful to take it at the exact same time every day!

[ourika.livejournal.com]

The mini-pills (they've got only one hormone, I think it's progestin?) need to be taken at the same time. But the combo pills do have some more leeway. I think that the combo pills have about a 3 hour window (I don't remember the exact time, I'm not on pills). I bet there's lots of info in the birthcontrol community's archives, though!