Backup Birth Control: When & How to Use for Optimal Protection

Question
Thank you.I usually ovulate either day 11 or 12.Would the same rules apply.Even if its day 5 or 6 of my cycle when i start?


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Followup To
Question -
Alot of people i ask say use backup protection for the first month on birth control.
My dr and the manufacturer said if i do a sunday start use protection for the first 7 days after starting.Lets say i start on day 6 and i use protection until day 13.What is i ovulate day 14?Im confused how that is guarenteed?or what if i ovulate prior like day 11?does the pill work right away?Im due tuesday or wed and was going to start the pill that sunday.

Answer -
When we start birth control pills, we suggest that you refrain from intercourse (without a backup method) for 14 days from the start of the pill. That is to avoid inadvertently ovulating prior to the pills kicking in. If you have a normal 28 day cycle (from the first day of your period to the first day of your next period) ovulation occurs on cycle day #14. If you ovulate, you can become pregnant. If, however, you start the pill on the Sunday following the first day of your period, you probably will not ovulate. The pill prevents ovulation. If you do not ovulate, you cannot become pregnant. Usually, after starting the pill, you will not ovulate within ten days. HOwever, just to be sure, we suggest to avoid sex or use a backup for two weeks following start of the pill. Usually, that is enough time.

Answer
Please start taking the pill on the Sunday after the first day you start bleeding. If you start bleeding on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or even Sunday, start the pill on Sunday. That is the correct way to take the pill and maintain regularity of your cycle. Once you start, take one pill every day until Saturday (pill #21). Continue taking the pill for another week and you will bleed sometime during that week. Then, start a new pack on the next Sunday. You will NOT OVULATE and will not become pregnant. The whole reason to take the pill is to stop ovulating. It does not matter when you used to ovulate or what day of your cycle you started.