If I took my pill at 6:15 in the morning instead of during the usual window between 10:30 PM and midnight, does that lower my protection? Do I need to use a condom? It’s the third pill in the pack.
He didn't really press me about it; he just asked what I’d prefer to use, and I told him I wanted the Celest set, so he gave them to me. But you should definitely tell him what you plan on using them for—I'm sure he'll be open to your ideas and requests.
Regarding weight gain from birth control, I can tell you I’ve put on about 11 pounds over the last four months. Before this, it was an impossible mission for me—fast metabolism, zero appetite—but since starting the pill, my hunger has spiked and I'm eating things I haven't touched in years. So, maybe it's just me, but I'm convinced it's the pills because I haven't changed anything else besides starting them.
graniteviper92 said:Ladies, does your period arrive at the exact same time every single cycle (like, say, on the third day of the break), or is every month a complete wildcard?
Mine always hits at the same time, usually the fourth day of the break.. But it doesn't have to be the same for everyone.
Nathan Baker said:Which one? 🤷 Good grief, please don't tell me you're actually asking if you can buy a pregnancy test over the counter without a script? I find it hard to believe you're really asking me that. 🤣
Anyway, personally, whenever I’ve ever missed a pill—which, thankfully, has never happened to me—I used to just overlap the packs. That was the only way I felt absolutely certain that the seven-day buffer was enough to stay covered. Not that it matters right now, I suppose. I suspect the odds of anything actually happening are slim. But regardless, you’ll need to wait fourteen days from the encounter to take a test... though maybe two or three days before that mark, you could try one of those high-sensitivity ones, like a Clearblue Ultra or a First Response test... but personally, I wouldn't trust any result before that full fourteen-day window unless it comes back positive. Just wait out the fourteen days. And try not to spiral. Whatever happens, happens; there's no use worrying about it now.
And how on earth am I supposed to know? It's not like I go out buying pregnancy tests every single day and become an expert on them. This is the first time this has ever happened, so obviously, I'm not some walking encyclopedia of pregnancy testing.
I know I need to wait two weeks; I know that much. Thanks.
Nathan Baker said:So, you’re telling me things have already reached this point, and now you’re just out there having unprotected sex... as if the little "period" isn't even a reliable indicator. See, being on the pill doesn't mean you're safe from a surprise; even with the hormones, there's still a chance for breakthrough bleeding because your hormonal balance shifts during the break week anyway. I was actually digging through some medical journals from some doctors over in Vienna—just trying to make sense of it all—and it turns out there’s actually a higher chance of spotting during pregnancy while on birth control than there is when you aren't taking anything at all, during that whole "false period" phenomenon everyone talks about.
Look, just do yourself a favor and take a test sometime down the road, just so you aren't left guessing. 🙂
The instructions said seven days, but then I read all this stuff online that totally threw me off. If that seven-day rule is legit, I should be protected. But then this user mentioned that protection isn't guaranteed during the placebo week if you missed a pill, and now I'm spiraling. All because of one single missed pill, man.
Can you buy those at a pharmacy without a prescription?
Kimberly Castillo2 said:Look, I only know the answer to the second part: yeah, you're protected the whole time. Even during those 7 days when you aren't taking anything—as long as you actually start the next pack on time after the week is up, obviously.😉
Thanks! 🙂
goldenmoose25 said:Listen up. If you missed a pill, pay attention. If you’re twelve hours late or more, you need backup protection for the next seven days—that means seven extra pills. If it hasn't even been twelve hours yet, you're fine. No extra precautions needed. Just follow the rules.🙂
It all boils down to which week you’re on. If you’re at the end of the cycle, the move is to skip the seven-day break entirely and just crack open a new pack. Honestly, the instructions tell you exactly what to do.☕
Protection is guaranteed during that seven-day break—provided, of course, you didn't miss any pills.🤣
I missed a pill when there were only 11 days left in my pack. I’ve been using backup protection for the last 7 days, which have already passed. I read the instructions, but I'm totally confused because some stuff online says you need two weeks of extra protection, while the pamphlet in the box says just one.
If you missed that pill 13 days ago—and since you haven't taken anything for two days now because you're out of your pack and on a break—does that mean you're not protected right now?
Nathan Baker said:Well, both versions seem to exist out there; some people swear by the seven-day rule, while others insist on fourteen. Personally, I don't see any harm in being extra cautious and using backup until you finish the current pack and get ready to start the next one. It’s probably better to overthink it than not at all.
It’s way too early for that; we’ve still got a few hours to go. 🤣 I’m supposed to get my stimulus check tomorrow or the day after, and now I'm actually getting nervous that it won't show up. Good grief.
I saw someone online saying that if you miss a pill, you have to use backup contraception for two weeks, but my Cestazol box says only seven days. Which one is actually right? Does the protection still hold during that seven-day break between packs?
Benjamin Robinson3 said:I have a problem. There was a time when I wasn't thinking straight and completely missed my pill—not even a thought crossed my mind. And then yesterday, while I was out at a bar, it finally hit me that I missed an entire dose. I took yesterday's pill, but now I’m not sure how safe or reliable this is without that missing one. Will I get my period earlier than expected, or does it not matter? I know about the seven-day break and using condoms, but I'm curious about the flow—what should I expect now?
Betty Kim5 said:I just started taking Yasmin, and I'm almost through my first pack. It's day 5 and my period hasn't shown up yet. Should I be worried or what?🤷
You don't need to. When I took my first pack, I didn't get anything either. Then, when I finally got it a week later, it lasted practically until my next period. I was bleeding for the entire month. Things have finally settled down in the second box.
I have a problem. There was a time when I wasn't thinking straight and completely missed my pill—not even a thought crossed my mind. And then yesterday, while I was out at a bar, it finally hit me that I missed an entire dose. I took yesterday's pill, but now I’m not sure how safe or reliable this is without that missing one. Will I get my period earlier than expected, or does it not matter? I know about the seven-day break and using condoms, but I'm curious about the flow—what should I expect now?
The absolute best vampire flick out there, BUT—I’m really not a fan of vampires, so parts of it were so painfully slow I actually wanted to turn it off. Still, since I'd already started, I figured I might as well see it through to the end.
Seriously though, how did they even manage to survive thirty days with all those vampires running around? Like, actually...
I’ve been in similar spots before. Something happened, and I just completely cut ties with those people. To this day, we don't even exchange a "hello." I just stopped reaching out, stopped texting, and stopped asking them to grab a drink. It was a Facebook block, but also a total block in real life.
Basically, I've been on my first pack of birth control pills and I've already had this period for 16 days straight. Before, it usually lasted about 10 days, but now it’s day 16 and the flow hasn't even let up—it's just the same intensity every single day. If it were lighter, I might be able to deal, but it's just constant. My mother told me she has no idea why this is happening, suggesting it might just be because things haven't stabilized yet. What I really want to know is: if this keeps going, I still have 6 pills left in this pack. Even if it stops today, am I going to bleed again once I hit that seven-day break? And why on earth is this lasting so long? My uterus is aching, my ovaries hurt... I'm feeling this sharp, stabbing sensation.
silentwolf53 said:Probably just some enzyme levels—that’s what they sent me over for. 🙂
How often should I be getting my blood work checked if I'm on the pill? I've been taking them for 6 months now... honestly, I haven't had a single issue—actually, some things have even improved—but I'm not looking to play games with my health.
She told me once that doing it annually is good just to be safe.
By the way, quick question. I wasn't sure if this belongs here or under the Menstruation thread. Basically, I'm on my first pack and I've been bleeding for 13 days straight. Usually, it lasts about 10 days, but now it’s been 13 and the flow hasn't let up at all. If it were lighter, I wouldn't mind as much, but it's staying just as heavy every single day. My mom said she doesn't know why this is happening, maybe it's just until everything stabilizes. What I really want to know is: if this keeps going, I still have 8 pills left in this pack. Even if it stops today, once I hit that seven-day break, am I going to bleed again?
Morgan Cruz6 said:Sorry if this sounds like a silly question... but I'm thinking about starting birth control, and I was wondering—do I need to see a gynecologist first to get blood work done, or can I just go in for a consultation and have them recommend something?
You definitely have to. My doctor sent me for a full blood panel plus three other tests, like checking for blood clots and stuff.
Problem. I always take my Cilest between 10:20 PM and 10:40 PM, but I just took it now (11:30 PM). Tell me it'll still work; I'm totally spacey even though my alarm went off earlier to remind me. Does that hour difference actually matter?