Starting Birth Control Pills Without a Period: What to Know

Question
My daughter just recently went to the gyn for the first time.  she is going to start her first dose of birth controll pills after her period.  for some unknown reason she has not started her period.  she always has been regular and she is definitely not pregnant.  she just recently became sexually active.  she is not prenant she took a test.  she was supposed to get her period a few days ago.  can she start the pill on sunday with out her period.  thanks in advance.  cheryl

Answer
Hi Cheryl,

For them to be effective, she would need to wait until her period finally does start. If she starts them before hand, they will be a higher risk of pregnancy for that first month, and it may throw off her cycle even more, in that she may have a period in the middle of the pack, and it will confuse her cycle further.

There could be many factors that are making her period late. Stress, change in sleeping or eating habits, that kind of things. If she hasn't started in a week, follow up with another pregnancy test, and take her back to the Dr. he may have a solution, or tell her to start the pills, and just be extra careful until her schedule adjusts.

Thanks,

Drea Jean