How effective are oral contraceptive pills?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have never used oral contraceptive pills before but I would like to start now. My period started today, but I could not begin the contraceptive pill. Can I start taking it tomorrow, on day two of my cycle? How many days after starting the pill should I wait before it is safe to have unprotected sex? During the seven-day break, should I resume taking the pills on the eighth day, regardless of whether I get my period? Is it safe to have unprotected sex during the seven-day pill-free break, or should I take any precautions? If I do not experience withdrawal bleeding during the seven-day break, should I be concerned or take any specific action? Are there any differences between unwanted 21 and overall pills in terms of effectiveness, usage, or dosage? Which one would you recommend?

Lastly, could you provide any additional advice or information regarding oral contraceptive pills, in case there is something important I have not asked about?

Please help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concerns and worries. Let me explain your queries one by one:

Begin on day two of your cycle because the mechanism of action of this birth control pill includes inhibiting ovulation, delaying the luteal phase, increasing the thickness of cervical mucus, making it difficult for sperm to enter, and also acting on the hypothalamus to inhibit GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) release from the pituitary gland, preventing FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone) release.
From the eighth day after starting the pills, you can have unprotected sexual intercourse. However, you must remember that every contraceptive method has a small failure rate, although it is minimal.
After the seven-day pill-free interval, you must resume the tablets on the eighth day, regardless of whether you have had your period or not.
Yes, it is safe to have unprotected sexual intercourse during the pill-free interval because this is not an ovulatory period. The ovulatory period usually occurs around days 12, 13, and 14, counting from the first day of your menses.
If you do not experience withdrawal bleeding, first, perform a urine pregnancy test (UPT) to rule out the possibility of contraceptive failure. If the result is negative, wait for seven days and then start the next pack on the eighth day.
There is no difference in the efficacy, composition, or dosage between these two tablets. Both have the same generic formula (Ethinylestradiol and Levonorgestrel). The only difference is the brand names, as they are manufactured by different companies.

I hope I have answered all your queries. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

If he ejaculates inside during unprotected intercourse, there is no problem because you are in the menstrual phase, which is when you are expecting your period. It is less likely for pregnancy to occur during this phase, so do not worry.

However, it is crucial to take the tablet regularly without missing a single day. If you miss one day, take a double dose the next day. However, if you miss two consecutive days, the entire month is not considered safe, and there is a possibility of pregnancy occurring.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.