(no subject)

[noraskye.livejournal.com]

Okay, I did try searching for the answers but my story is very specific, so I'm not sure you could find out doing a random search

okay...the story begins... almost a year ago I stopped menstruating due to a restrictive diet. I was supposed to be doing the atkins diet, but I pretty much stayed in the induction phase that long, completely ignoring anything anyone was saying. Yes, I was a complete idiot, and that's another thing entirely. It's been almost a year and I have completely changed. I now eat a normal, completely balanced diet and haven't gained more than 5-10 pounds, which I desperately needed to gain back to look healthy/menstruate. This has been determined to be the cause of the missing periods. Anyway, after eating healthy and gaining weight, my cycle returned in about 6 months time. I had a period last month around the 5th. I am due for another one any time now, but it hasn't returned as of yet. I'm sure this has to do with my body still adjusting. I am definately not pregnant. In fact I've had no intercourse for about a year. However...I am with someone now and I would like to. Actually, we've been in each other's lives for a while now, but I was having so many problems before that it just didn't come up, and he is a very patient and kind person who has helped me through most of this. Okay, so when I had my period last month I was thrilled and also ready to think about birth control. I have a prescription for birth control pills, so I thought when I got my next period (the one I'm waiting for now) that I would start taking them again on a day 1 start. So now I have the pills, and no period. I'm sure the missing/late period is still due to my body being out of whack. I figured if I would take the pills they would serve two purposes...one-prevent unwanted pregnancy and two...regulate my cycle.

I am ready to be in an intimate relationship. We are very committed to each other and know each other well (std's have been tested for) and we don't want to use condoms every time. My prefered methood is birth control pills, but I am frustrated now because without getting a period this month, I can't really take them can I? He has been very understanding of this whole thing but it's driving ME crazy. Let's say I skip my period this month, but I start taking the pill anyway. Will it still protect me from pregnancy after 7 days? or would it be null and void because I didn't "take it correctly" like they say in the instructions.
I know that if you take it on day one of your period you are protected from pregnancy quickly, but if you do a sunday start they say 7 or so days. In my case I'm not sure what to think. It seems at this point I may have sporadic ovulation for a while, and I am not even going to chance anything. Also..I really don't want to rely only on condoms as birth control because I am a paranoid person and I'm always afraid they are going to slip or break, which takes away from the actual pleasure of sex. Whether we used condoms or not, I would feel the safest on birth control. So I guess my question is..if I miss my period this month, could the birth control still be taken and be effective? I'm sure doing this ruins my chances of having a regular cycle, but my main concern is protection from pregnancy.

whew...thanks....sorry this is so long

Comments

[taldragon.livejournal.com]

personally, i'd take the pills and use backup for a week. however, it's probably best to read the pill insert or ask your doctor/ pharmacist as they'd be able to better advise you.

[noraskye.livejournal.com]

thats what I was thinking. the backup for a week thing.

[jennifer0246.livejournal.com]

... you were probably thinking that because that's what you were told when you xposted this in another community.

[noraskye.livejournal.com]

actually, that's what I was thinking before posting to anycommunity. I just wanted some opionions

[notlookingfor.livejournal.com]

Since you're clearly not pregnant, you can start your pills at any time, use backup for 7 days and proceed as normal.

The basic information that was needed in this post was: I've been having irregular cycles. I haven't had sex in a year so I know I'm not pregnant. If I don't want to wait for my period, when can I start my birth control pills and have protection?

[travellingstar.livejournal.com]

I never ever get my period without being on birth control pills. My GYN told me I can start whenever I'd like seeing as how I won't get a period until after I've been on 'em. I start my pack on a Sunday and I get my period during the placebo week.

Like the above poster said, you can start at any time, but use backup for a week.

[skeptictank.livejournal.com]

The only reason that you're supposed to start your pills when your period starts is so it doesn't change the schedule of your cycle. It sounds necessary, but it's really only a good suggestion. Start whenever you're ready.