Question about birth control...?

by **Paige** on Sat Oct 24, 2009 9:45 am

My pack of birth control comes with 28 days. I currently have 5 left, and it's October 24th. So on the 28th I will have taken my last one, I think that's right. But there's 31 days in October. So I'm super confused. This is my first time ever taking birth control, so as the month ends I'm not too sure when I start my new pack.

If I start it on November 1st, what about the days where I'm not taking birth control? I assume it's not safe to have unprotected sex on those days?

I'm super confused. Please help!

Ok, so a cycle is 28 days. But I'm going to get so confused if I take my next pill on the 29th (this would be the first pill of my new pack) and the dial would be set on '1' for the first pill, and I started on the first of October when I started taking birth control, so I'd been going by that. Any tips on not getting confused with that?

by **LordpercywoosterXXV050** on Sat Oct 24, 2009 9:49 am

a month is a lunar month , that is 28 days
so you need to start on the 29th day ....i tisnt based on a calandar month

by **slrdgw22** on Sat Oct 24, 2009 9:52 am

You take your pills EVERY DAY. Once you take the last sugar pill on the 28th, you take the first pill of your next pack on the 29th. Take those until they're gone, and 28 days later, you'll start your third pack.

Your cycle is 28 days... not the month.

by **eve942** on Sat Oct 24, 2009 10:10 am

You have to take your pills everyday around the same time. Set an alarm on your phone as a reminder to take it. If that doesn't work then you need to find a different birth control method that will work for you.

by **Rumblebear** on Sat Oct 24, 2009 11:38 am

Hi Paige

Yes, it would be awesome if we could line up the numbers with the dates, but unfortunately for us, there isnt the same number of days in each month, and the typical cycle for a woman is around 28 days.
I set an alarm on my watch to go off at the same time each day to remind me to take mine. Perhaps you could have a desk calendar, and cross off the day as you take each pill - it will just look like you are counting the days off in the year.

The pill doesnt just stop you from ovulating (releasing an egg), it also (gross fact warning:) thickens the mucous, so it is harder for "swimmers" to make their way up there (you may notice that your period is a little different) . So in short, yes, you can still have sex on your "off" days, and rely on it for protection.

That said, im sure you have been warned that nothing is always 100% effective, so if there is unprotected sex at any time, there is always a chance. Condoms work wonders, because two forms of contraception is better than one, but not everyone loves them. They also protect you from STIs, but i wont give you the lecture on those either.

Question about birth control...?