Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo: Starting Your Pill & Backup Contraception

Question
ok, I am taking Ortho Tri-cyclen Lo. I just started taking birth control, so i am a litte uneasy about the whole ordeal. My situation is this-
   My period started on a friday and the directions tell you to either start taking the pills the day you start your period, or you can wait and start the pills the following sunday.  I waited untill sunday to start my pills.  It also says that if you wait untill sunday you MUST use another form of contraceptive for seven days from sunday. If you started your pills on the day your period started the protection began the day you started taking the pills, so you do not need a back up method.  I had intercourse on the sixth day. He did not ejaculate inside me but i was just wondering if im safe. Is there a chance the birthcontrol could of allready been in effect? I hope so, but untill my period comes im biting my lip.  Can you give me some information on my ordeal? thankyou!

Answer
Hi Brittany,

If the directions say to use a back-up method for the best protection, then thats what you should do, but you do have a few things working in your favor.

If you were on a regular 28 day period cycle (counting from the first day of your period, 28 days until the next one) before your period starts), then you probably didn't ovulate,(women usually ovulate around day 14 on 28 day cyles), so thats good. He didn't ejaculate, so thats another good thing. Plus, you were only one day shy of the 7th pill, so that another good thing, so there it a good chance it was effective.

Pregnancy is always a possibility, a very very small one,(less than 1% on the pill) and I don't think you raised your chances of becoming pregnant. Don't stress to much, that can delay your period and cause more worry. And remember, when it gets close to your period, it may come earlier or later than expected, or be heavier or lighter than it was before, and that is just a side affect of the pill, so if that happens, don't be concerned. I think you'll be fine.

Good luck to you, and Thanks,

Drea Jean

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