Birth control Question... ???

For over 4 years, I've taken Ortho Evra, the b.c. patch, and my doctor took me off of it b/c of all the side effects I started to have and the bad news feedbacks. He put me on Ortho-TryCyclen.. I have never taken the pill before and am very scared. He told me to try and take it the same time everyday.





Here's my problem, since it's the summer, I wake up at 7:30 for work... easily done--take my pill when I wake up, right? Well. in August, whenever my college reopens, would it matter if I start taking it at different times? For example, one day at 7am one day at 6am, etc? Please help me.





Also, how effective was the b.c. pill for you? My doctor told me that I HAVE to use a condom the first few months, my husband-to-be and I have not used in condom in years! So, just wondering about that too.

Birth control Question... ???
honestly an hour isn't going to really make a huge difference but the whole point of taking it at the same time everyday is to keep the supply of hormones on a steady stream without interruption or burps. if you start taking it at 730 in the summer, continue to take it at 730 even when you start college. set an alarm on your watch or cellphone to remind you. it really is important to get into the habit of taking it consistently at the same time because it keeps you from slacking off and thinking ok 1 hour won't make a difference then turns into 2 hours, 3 hours, etc. to the point you forget one day and have to double up making it less effective.





as far as the condoms, i highly recommend you do exactly what the doctor says. your body is adjusting to the hormones and you don't want to come up preggers while taking them because of the risks to the fetus. use them every time for at least 3 months in case you need to change formulas. go to costco or sam's club and buy the supersize pack and forget about it. it's better to be safe than sorry.





i've been using the pill for almost 20 years. the only issue i had was when i switched pills because my insurance changed which brands they would cover and i started getting nauseous from the new formula in the morning and started taking it at night instead. other than that, nothing.
Reply:As long as you take it at AROUND the same time, it will be fine. I think they mostly tell you that so you get into the habit and don't forget.





The pill is very effective, providing that you use it properly and don't forget it. You do need to use a condom for the first 3 months because it takes a while for the hormones to infiltrate your system, as they come in very small doses. After that, you can go without condoms as long as you always take a pill.





Just as a warning...if you go off the pill and don't use condoms, you will get pregnant very quickly. I was off the pill for less than 2 weeks when I got pregnant.
Reply:Taking it a couple hours off will NOT affect the pill. Also I have no idea why your doctor said to use a condom for a couple months, that is ridiculus. You should use a condom for the first week or two of the pill but you do not need to do it for a couple months. If taken correctly and you do not skip pills then the pill is over 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy
Reply:First of all, I've been using the pill for over 25 years off and on, and have never had any problems (beside side effects which are correctable by changing formulations).





Next, if you take your pill EVERY DAY, you will be covered against pregnancy after the first seven days. Backup contraception is ONLY necessary if you miss 2 pills or more in a row, or are using antibiotics.





Finally, you can fluctuate your timing on the pill. It is BEST to take it about the same time every day, but you can go a few hours either way and there will be no harm.





Better paranoid than sorry, but the pill is pretty idiot-proof, as long as you take it EVERY DAY.





Good luck.
Reply:I hated the pill... you poor thing. How about the ring?? It has the lowest dose of medicines so that would mean the lowest side effects. As far as taking it at 7 one day and 6 another I would try and keep it 7 o'clock but an hour difference won't be THAT big of a deal. As far as using comdoms for a couple of months they told me only one month... or you can use a spermicide!?
Reply:Within an hour or two of taking it everyday should be okay. I dont know anyone who can actually take it at the exact time! I have my phone alarm set for 10:45pm every evening, but if I remember within an hour before or after I take it then and I have had no problems on the pill. I also had the problem with having to use backup protection for awhile, but I am on Orthotricyclen Lo and the doctors told me that I had to wait anywhere from 7 days to the time of my next cycle. I never had to wait 'MONTHS' so I wouldn't stress myself about it!