I started taking Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo recently...I just took the 10th pill. Here's my question. I've always been told you MUST take the pill at the exact same time every day or it loses effectiveness. I took the first one at 10:00 am. Since then, it has been taken in a time frame between 9:00-9:45. Is this okay?  Or does it really need to be taken at EXACTLY say 9:30?\n\nThe gyno said it's a myth and you can take it every day and be okay but every other source I've heard says take it at the same time.\n\nSo: do I need to take it at exactly 9:30 daily, or is between 9:15-9:45 okay?
134598
That's what I was told as well. however I was taking it to regulate my periods. If that's the case for you, then you can be a more flexible with when you want to take the pill. If you are doing it mainly for contraceptive reasons, it would probably be best if you took it at the same time everyday, if not around the same time everyday. Hope this helped!
628068
The doctor or pharmacist will tell you to take it the Sunday after your period starts. If it happens on Saturday you still start it on Sunday ( day or night) then take it continuously after that at the same time everyday.
380542
I've been on the ring for about 3 years.  I love it.  I actually chose not to get my period at all so I cange it the 1st of every month.  My OB said it was fine to go without getting my period at all or I can go every three months...at the end of my third month I would take it out for a week then put a new one in on the 1st as usual.  But I had stopped using it back in April since my husband and I had decided to try to have another baby.  I noticed that my sex drive has increased a bit since I am no longer using it...I had realized during the 3 years of using it, that my sex drive had slowly decreased,  I thought it was because I had a baby and I was tired and stressed with work, my daughter and keeping up the house.  But I think now that the birthcontrol had a little to do with it too.  But other then that the Nuva-Ring was GREAT...at first my husband felt it...but after a few times he didnt even notice it.  Good Luck!
208639
I am on the pill and my last day is Sunday. I never start my period before Thursday. So I wouldn't be to worried. It has always been that way for me.
665203
I don't know how Alesse brand pills work, but I thought that you were supposed to begin the pill pack the first Sunday AFTER your period starts.  So if you had started your period on a Sunday, I'm pretty sure you should've started the pills the next Sunday.  Either way, it takes a little while for your body to really adjust to the pills (about 7 days before it provides birth control protection and potentially a couple of months until your cycle is regulated), so I wouldn't worry too much if I were you.  But if you are worried or have any questions, call your doctor and they'll be happy to answer any questions you might have.
539731
My understanding is that this tactic works better with monophasic pills (the kind where the hormones are level over the three active weeks) than it does with triphasic ones like Ortho Tri-Cyclen (where each week is a different hormone level.)  That's something you might want to ask your doc about.  But I have been blessed by my two most recent doctors to do this on occasion as they don't feel there's any significant drawback to it.  I usually skip about every other period, just for convenience.  You might not be able to go much longer than that; some women will spot if they try to skip more than a couple consecutive periods.  But yes, you can do it.
598474
This sounds just like me.  I developed horrible depression on Ortho Tri Cyclen.  Then I switched to a low dose pill (Mircette) and it helped a lot.  I definitely think you should switch.  I was on Ortho Tri Cyclen for a year and the depression didn't go away until I switched.  Besides, if you are hurting yourself then you definitely need to do something about it right now.
334565
Birth control pills must be taken each day at about the same time to be effective and prevent pregnancy. The best time to take them is at night, before you go to bed
421314
I definately recommend the pill. If you are worried about high hormone level pills, try the low hormone pills. One choice is ortho-tri cyclen lo. I use regular Ortho-tri cyclen and its fabulous. Also, if you take the pill every morning when you brush your teeth, you wont forget. Trust me!! :)
390228
I LOVE LOVE LOVE my nuvaring, and tell everyone about how wonderful it, and most of my friends are on it now. I've been on two types of pills, and the patch, and I personalyl feel the ring is far superior.  It's a lower dose of hormones, but more constant, so I don't spot, and I'm on a continual regime with it, so I just have my period twice a year (I keep it in for 4 weeks, and then put a new one in usually without any time in between), and when I do have my period, it's lighter, shorter, and with less cramps.  I usually take it out during sex, but when I've left it in, it's never been a problem. I usually forget about it, and have to write down in my calendar when I need to change it.  It has also helped with my migraines, where as one set of pills really increased them. Plus, as the safest and most reliable form of birth control (it can't break, can't fall out, doesn't have to be taken at the same time, etc), it was really an ease on my worry about pregnancy, etc.  I just can't say enough wonderful things about the ring, so I really hope it works as well and as wonderfully for you.\n\nBest of luck,\n\nEssin' Em, www.hotmoviesforher.com
465097
In this case, you'd be strarting as if you never used the pill before. Usually the package has it all spelled out. You can start on the period, or you can start at random time BUT you'll HAVE to use a back-up method for that cycle. That means, paying for condoms. Might as well pay the full price for pills and do it right and not worry about it.
623543
Just wanted to clarify... someone said it was unhealthy to take two packs in a row, but this is NOT true. It is perfectly fine... I do it sometimes when my period is going to fall during something I don't want to be having my period on (like vacation, a wedding, etc). My gyno told me it was fine to do that. \n\nI also take Yasmin, and sometimes skip the white pills one month so I don't have my period. However, for me, when I get around to the next white pills, my period is right there, ready to start. It doesn't have a delay. But I would imagine this could happen, like other posters have said.
241063
Sometimes it can make you gain weight.  And sometimes it can make your period stop.  But all pills are different, and all women react differently to each pill.  The first pill I was on (Ortho Tri Cyclen) made me gain weight, my period was heavy and it made me depressed.  The pill I'm on now (Mircette) made me lose weight, my period has shortened to two days, and the depression is gone.  However, I know of lots of women who do perfectly well on Ortho Tri Cyclen.  It's just a matter of finding what works for you.\n\nI have no personal experience with the shot, but I have heard lots of stories of women who had very bad experiences with it.  And I've heard of women who loved it.  Again, it depends on your body.  \n\nThe birth control patch has been linked to a higher risk of blood clots that can be fatal (see link below).\n\nHave you considered the birth control ring?  It's a plastic ring that you insert in the vagina and contains a low dose of hormones.
413890
Here's what Planned Parenthood says: "Taking the progestin-only pill at the same time each day is essential — if you take it more than three hours past the regular time, you need to use a back up method of birth control for 48 hours after taking the late pill."\n\nSo a few hours (less than three) difference isn't going to change things.  You're covered.     As long as you're close you'll be okay.  What you don't want to do is skip all over the clock - breakfast one day, dinner time the next day, then lunch time, then bedtime.\n\nWith the mini-dose pills that are common today, the hormone can be gone from your system too long if you miss your regular time by more than a few hours.\n\nDon't worry about not getting your period exactly on Sunday.  Different women's bodies will respond differently.  You'll start to see the pattern for your body after three months or so.
391389
I was on Loestrin 24 for 1 month and I had to switch cause of too much bleeding. Now I am on ortho Tri cyclen and I haven't had no problems with them. And the good thing about it with orth tri cylen you'll always know when your period is gonna come on. So good luck with them because I love them.
342919
You should WAIT until you period comes BEFORE you take your birth control. Because birth control pills contains high levels of the female hormones estrogen and progestin, taking them before your period will cause you to not have a period - until you get to the placebo pills.\n\nThe placebo pills are those pills will little or no hormones. When the hormone level decreases, that allows for the women to have her period.\n\nIf you do not have a period within the next five (5) days, however, you should consult with your doctor or healthcare provider for a pregnancy test. You may also perform an over-the-counter pregnancy tests, but confirm the result with your doctor.\n\nHope this answers your question!
463451
It depends on the type of pill, is it progesterone only or combined?  Some have to be taken at exactly the same time every day - check the leaflet that came with them.  If you're still not sure, use a condom until after your next period just to be on the safe side.