[RomanSunburn]

Okay, I have a question about birth control (you probably figured that out already) but not about taking it or anything like that... but how does it work... Like, how come you have to take it everyday and if you miss more than one pill you have to use protection but then you don't take it for a week (to have your period) and yet you can have unprotected sex safely? I just.. don't.. understand! I was going to just wait and ask my doctor, but I just moved and don't have one and won't need one until probably September and this has been really making me wonder lately... You'd think I'd know this already cause I've been on it for so long, but it just never occurred to me until recently...

Thanks everyone! I feel better asking, lol, however silly/dumb it makes me sound!

[sdgirl]

I don't really know the answers but you can ask in yahoo answers pregnancy forum. They give a lot answers like this one there.

[Aunt Donna]

The birth control is made for a 28 day cycle. You take birth control pills for the first 21 days because they release a steady supply of the hormone that stops egg production. If you miss one dose, it interrupts the steady supply of the hormone thus increasing the chance of becoming pregnant. The seven pills you take during your cycle are just to help you to remember to take the pill. I hope this makes sense. My sister was on the pill for years after having her daughter. She accidentally forgot her pills at home when her and her husband had to make an emergency trip to another state. She thought she was okay because she had been taking the pill for over six years. Nine months later her husband and her had a second daughter.

[RomanSunburn]

Thanks for the reply! Now, let me make sure I'm getting this...

So basically the steady build-up of the 21 days before you stop taking the pills makes the hormones stay in your system so you don't need them, and then after your period, that build-up has been depleted, so you start all over again...? So.. You're really taking 28 days worth of hormones but in 21 days?

[Aunt Donna]

That's pretty much it. My sister had to explain to me. Another thing to keep in mind, antibiotics interfer with the birth control pill. I have a handsome great-nephew because of this.

[RomanSunburn]

Yeah, and apparently triliptal too... I'm lucky I didn't decide to lose my virginity at one point because no one told me that that they interfere until a long time after that event... I really wish doctors, pdocs, and pharmacists would be more careful about looking at what drugs you're already taking and warning you completely. There was nothing on those handouts they give you on either of the drugs... Oh well, thought me better to look out for myself

Thanks again

[Fresia]

There is very little build-up in your system(24-48 hrs), that's why if you miss a pill or more than one pill the supression of your hormones on your ovaries is diminished and can release an egg making you susceptible to pregnancy. There is no protection during the 7 week sugar/reminder pill week for your menses/period. The pills are only helpful in preventing pregnancy, and are not foolproof even if taken daily as evidence of a pregnancy of mine, one for my sister-in-law resulting in my niece, and countless others; and also does not protect against anything else, such as STD's, safe sex, not always so safe without additional protection.

[RomanSunburn]

I'm not sure that can be correct... The packaging says that you don't need back up protection during your period. They wouldn't put that in there if it wasn't true -- they'd have so many lawsuits, birth control pills would hardly be on the market. I know they can't prevent pregnancies 100%, but they can protect you during your period even though you're not taking the pills. I just wanted to know how they do that. Just to clarify, I always use back up even though I take the pill religiously. I simply wanted to know how it works.

[Aunt Donna]

The 7 sugar pills during your cycle are just to help you to remember to keep taking the pills. If you skip the sugar pills, you are okay as long as you remember to start taking the birth control pill again when you are suppose to. I used to have take all of them because the doctor gave me the ones with iron to build up my iron count and the iron was even in the sugar pills. YUCK!!!

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by RomanSunburn

The packaging says that you don't need back up protection during your period. They wouldn't put that in there if it wasn't true

You cannot get pregnant during your period so no back up is needed then.

The problem is that sometimes women have bleeding that is not their period and they do not realize the difference. Plus sperm can survive for three days which complicates it more.

[RomanSunburn]

I'm getting really confused...

I thought you could get pregnant at any time; that there's always a chance.. Heck, I heard that you could even get pregnant before you start having your period... Don't remember where I heard that one, though...

Also, I thought that when you were on birth control you weren't really having a period either... That the pills made your body think it was pregnant, and then confuse it or trick it into shedding the lining...

Is any one else kind of amazed at how many different theories/thoughts there are out there about something as common as birth control?

[Yoda]

No, you can't get pregnant all the time. You have to be ovulating. But since sperm can live for three days after ejaculation that increases the number of days each month when you can potentially get pregnant.

READ THIS

[Aunt Donna]

The birth control pills prevent you from ovulating when taken correctly. Your period is the real thing. Your body is shedding the lining. Sometimes you have bleeding other than your period. That is when you go to your doctor and ask if you need a different birth control pill.

[Fresia]

I just had an appointment with the OB/GYN. You can get pregnant from ovulation on even during your period, if the egg is still in the womb and has not been shed yet with the uterine lining. There is little protection a day or two into your period from bc pills but it is an unlikely time, especially later in the week, for conception to occur as the lining and egg are shed but it is possible if the egg has not shed yet.

If there were the same hormones during this week as are in the other 3 weeks, your body wouldn't know to have a period. The week of your period these are placebo pills, no hormones, only reminders to continue taking them daily. There are some conditions, such as endometriosis and cysts that you do take hormone pills consecutively, skipping the placebo week, remaining on the hormones and so you do not have a period.

BC pills taken regularly, at the same time daily (without interference from missed pills, other medications or additional stressors on bodily hormones) are very effective in preventing pregnancy.

[Typo]

ty for this thread Roman I had many of the same questions! Just wanted to let you know your not the only one with them

[Fresia]

I think all these questions and comments are important, vital and are critical answers to have. I really appreciate this thread too.

A lot of female things were not discussed with me growing up, basic things only, and I had to find a lot of things out the hard way. Because of my own conditions and life experiences, OB/GYNs, medications, surgeries, and female education have been constantly in my life and still are.

I hope through discussion and information, perhaps it will help someone else out too.

[CherryDropz88]

The birth control pill and I had a falling out several years ago. When I was 15 I got pregnant while taking the pill... I still can't figure that one out. I guess any birth control isn't 100% accurate and there's always room for error. Ultimately, I miscarried at 10 weeks. I think a lot of that was due to stress and I wasn't healthy enough to even be having a child physically and mentally. I weighed 95 lbs I mean I'm 5'2 but I was still too thin to have a baby plus I was a self-injurer and wasn't prepared to be a mom especially at 15. Anyway, down with birth control! It doesn't work!!! Atleast not for me...