do I need to use a back up method of birth control during sex?  I know that the effects of the birth control pill are reversed when women take antibiotics at the same time, but what about when the male partner does?
211251
Well it depends on what kind of intercourse you um.. well yeah and it might be transferred to you so either ask him to stop taking antiboitics if possible or to wear a condum though it doesnt stop Chlymidia an std just as a warning
2823
keep in mind that EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT and that i'm a guy and not a doctor. this is my personal account:\nmy girlfriend started taking birth control over a year ago. she started taking the pills in the middle of her cycle too. her first period was irregular and really bad, she said. the next period was normal and "so much better" she said.\nif you are asking about how long to wait to have sex, i would recommend you wait until after you finish the first month of pills. we waited only 7 days (as directed by her doctor) and we think this was the cause of the first period being so irregular. after a few months, your body will adjust and your period should occur like clockwork.\ngood luck!
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.
303331
When I was on the pill, I had missed quite a few myself, and I had to take double doses, and I never got pregnant.  I'm sure it is possible, but in my opinion, it is highly unlikely.  Everyone forgets to take it on time all the time.  I believe you are still protected, but don't forget, even on the pill, you are never 100% protected.  The only way to totally be protected is to abstain from sex altogether.  Good luck.
618627
Just use the pill, i have been using it for years, never got pregnant and had no side effects.  there are side effects, things like weight gain and slightly increased risk of breast cancer.  So many woman use it and have no problems.  the nurse will monitor you whilst you are on it, like checking your blood pressure and ask questions to check that it is right for you.
551222
A double condom is the worst thing you can do.  It causes friction and almost guaruntees that one will break.  Hormonal methods, like the pill and the ring, are nearly 100% effective if used perfectly.  A condom, when used with spermicide, is pretty effective, too.  Obviously the only 100% effective method is abstinence.  The most important question to ask yourself is: what if I got pregnant?  Do I know what I'd do?  What if I got an STD?  Do I know how to take care of it?  What if my partner breaks up with me?  Can I handle it?  If you can answer those questions, you're ready for sex.  If you have any hestitations, no effective birth control in the world makes a difference.
261670
Granny!  Too much beer tonight?  That only works if they take the birth control pills RIGHT before copulation.  Hope that helped.  ha ha :)
397515
It's okay to take it once or twice in your lifetime but be careful!!!  It should only be a LAST resort as it loses its effectiveness dramatically after each use.  If you are asking about it now, just get on the real pill.
540570
Condoms *are* birth control.  Used correctly every time, they have a very high success rate--95-98%, one of the highest of any method.  They're reversible (no ill effects to your system if/when you want to get pregnant) and there's no danger of long term side effects (and we can't really say that about the Pill, IUD, depo-provera, etc.)  They can also protect you against STDs.  I think one (perhaps the only) benefit of the AIDS crisis is that condoms are probably more reliable than in the past.  Make sure you check that they haven't expired and don't store them in the heat.  Some lubricants can break down the rubber.  There is always some risk in sexual activity.  (As you can tell, I think there's risk in using some of the other methods of birth control too.)  If you can't take the risk (of a pregnancy/abortion and other consequences), then perhaps you shouldn't have sex.
593661
If you missed four days and are back on the pill, you should be fine.  Birth control stays in your system for sometimes months after you stop taking it, so as long as you are taking it again, it should be effective.
99399
YES NO NO YES Condoms should always be used, birth control or not. No if you are on birth control you do not have to use them, that is the reason they were invented. NO, it is not worth the risk. There is nothing to say the pill won't quit working. Yes, there is a perpetual risk of any kind of STD (more than 132 have been found). As far as I am concerned all the protection you can get is worth it.
398528
I take Marvelon. I was using another brand before but, switched. I've been on 'the pill' for over a year. I have not become pregnant and I do use it as my only form of birth control unless I've been on antibiotics. \n\nIf you are worried about the effectiveness of the pill, talk to your girlfriend, research and use condoms if you are still worried. There's nothing wrong with that. Good luck!
478070
Him pulling out does not increase the effectiveness because his semen contains sperm. \n\nSmoking does not decrease the effectiveness of the pill. However, it can irritate the vagina, causing infections or interacting with the HPV cells you most likely already have, to create cancerous cells. It also can cause blood clots and heart disease. Try cutting down, dear.\n\nAs for the pill, if you take it everyday, without missing one, at the same time, you should be fine. My bf and I never used them and didn't pull out at all and I never got pregnant. But I also never missed a pill and took it on time. If you know you wouldn't be pleased if you did end up pregnant, use a condom or you'll have no one to blame but yourself.
367406
Birth control pills? I have never heard of anyone getting sick from birthcontrol! I would call your OBGYN ASAP! If it's not B/C.. then most other pills can make you sick to your tummy at first, but not B/C! Maybe it's not the right pill for you, there are a lot of differnt metohd of birth conrtol out there, and lots of other pills!
575272
Hi there!\n\nIt could just be that because you switched methods of birth control that your body is just adjusting accordingly. I would reccomend using a back up form of birth control at all times (such as a condom, spermacide suppositories or a diaphragm) just to be safe in case for some reason your body is having trouble adjusting to the pills. As far as whether you are pregnant or not, sometimes a home pregnancy test isn't always accurate. I would suggest going to your family doctor or gynecologist and getting a blood test done. Blood tests are 100% accurate and the results usually come in within 1-2 days of sending the blood sample in to be tested. I hope this helps! :)
659335
Your period may be lighter and slightly irregular with the birth control, review your medication insert, if you have further questions, consult the prescribing physician/and/or your pharmacist.  Don't forget to use back up protection like a condom during the first 30 days of starting the pill.  Also while on the pill, be sure to use a back up method of contraceptives when taking an antibiotic as it will weaken the effect of your birth control pill.  Good Luck
302076
The morning after pill is basically a high dose of the regular birthcontrol pill.  i.e. taking several birth control pills at once has the same effect.\n\nIt is best to take it immediately or within 24 hours.  It is to be used as an emergency contraceptive, like when a condom breaks or the woman is raped.  It is not meant for routine use.  If used as indicated/directed, it should have no permanent harm to the user.\n\nHowever, it should be noted that the common birth control pill has been shown to permanently reduce a woman's libido.  It always surprises me that this isn't publicized more.  At first, I thought it was an attempt by conservative elements to stop women from taking birth-control pills.  But the studies have been successfully replicated.  BC pills permantently lower a woman's sex drive.  Who knows the implications of a higher dose morning after pill?  I haven't seen any research on that.