taking a birth control pill late

[lynn221]

hey so i am new here! I just started taking birth control, tri- cyclen lo a month ago since my boyfriend and i are planning to become sexually active. The past month I have taken it religiously everyday same time at 12 noon, like exactly at 12 lol and never have missed one to date so I'm doing well soo far aha but i was out really late last night and this is kind of embarrassing but i ended up waking up at 12:30 in the afternoon, i got out of bed and took it immediately.. so i was half an hour late.. do you think this is a big deal? if we have sex this weekend should i still be protected? also im just a little extra worried cause it was the start of a new pack (so the white pills, first week of back to hormones) do you think this should be alright? should i still just continue taking it everyday at 12 noon?

also i am veryyy worried about becoming pregnant right now since i am only 21 and want to go back to school and we arent living together or planning on getting married soon.. so i started b/c then he said he will use a condom, as well as pull out. then as an extra pre- caution i said to get a condom with spermicide in it... so the pill + condom + pull out and the spermicide in the condom. do you think this is over kill? lol my doctor actually said it is and i dont need the spermicide! what do you think? also I've heard spermicide can cause infections if used to often, is this true? I was thinking then maybe use a spermicide condom the first time to just ease my mind a little more.

also what do you think about losing it in a hotel/ decent motel on the weekend? does it seem trashy? or no ? cause our houses are always so busy with people! thanks for any questions you can answer!

[Aletheia*]

do you think this should be alright? should i still just continue taking it everyday at 12 noon?

A half hour isn't a big deal. You'll still be protected. A half hour is nothing. If it had been a few hours after noon, then it would be something to worry about. However, pills do give you a window when you can take it if it's not in the allotted time you're used too. I'm not sure about the particular birth control you're on, but some can be taken up to 12 hours after you missed it and you could be perfectly fine. You could find out what that window is by doing some research on the internet or calling the doctor who prescribed you the birth control. And, yes, continue to take it at 12PM since that is the time you're used too.

I also think that ALL the forms of birth control you WANT to use is a bit much. You're on the pill, have been on the pill for a month so you're protected there. On top of that, a condom will also give you the extra protection. There is no reason to use the pull out method and/or spermicide. Spermicide can cause infections in some. You could find out more about spermicide on this link here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spermicide and what kind of infections it may cause. Also, the pull out method might sound like a good idea, but condoms rarely break if they are used correctly. The pull out method while using a condom could actually be more dangerous simply because the condom might slip off when he's trying to pull out, and that could cause sperm to find it's way inside. If that DID happen, you'd still be protected by your birth control. Since you've been taking your birth control at the same time every day as you should be, you will be fine.

As for the hotel/motel, it's not trashy. My ex and I did this a few years ago when we wanted some alone time. So, we splurged on a motel for the night so we could have some peace and quiet. As long as you know the hotel/motel isn't shady, there is no problem. It's a safe place to go, and gives you the privacy you're looking for.

[apple_123]

I'm not positive about your birthcontrol but with mine, I can take it 30 minutes and its all okay, and as for the hotel, where ever you feel most comfortable! And yes, you can only use spermicidal condoms 1 time a day. And be aware that spermicidal condoms can irritate some women, that is a risk you are taking. And, if he wears a condom, he doesn't HAVE to pull out, if used properly the condom will not break or leak, and, don't be so nervous! I recently had my first time and I was nervous like you about becoming pregnant but I promise everything will be okay good luck!

[Revolution]

You're more cautious as I am, first one I've met on this site. Everybody else is like "Oh, I take the pill sometimes, I'm fine." So congrats for being smart! Yay smart people!

You're fine, 30 minutes is fine. Also, don't use spermicide condoms. Spermicide isn't really that great for latex, so it makes the latex less effective, plus it can cuase irrition on him and in you, so it really isn't necessary. You also don't need to pull out, him pulling out with a condom on can actually cause it to either fall or tear, making the cum spill anyway. So just being on the pill, taking them regularly as you have been, and using a condom, you'll be fine.

Also, my boyfriend and I are in college. When we're not in our dorms with a bunch of room mates, we're at home with our parents. Only way for alone time? Hotel. So you're not trashy, I do it all the time. Get a nice one with a hot tub, and enjoy a nice day for yourselves, go do something nice together.

[lynn221]

thanks guys I am not worried anymore about the half an hour.. and i think i will just go with the condom and me being on birth control and possibly pull out .. but no spermicide if its going to cause problems that i dont need since i should be protected anyways. has anyone hear ever heard of someone getting pregnant with the pill (who has taken it same time everyday, like me ) and who used a condom? i know the chance is very low though, but my birth control , tri cyclen lo is a lower dose of hormone.

also i read a lot of things online that scared me regarding people taking b/c and getting so many nasty side effects and even people posting there daughter died because of tri-cyclen lo or other birth control :/ and things about blood clots killing women.. no this may be silly but is a blood clot literally like a discharge of blood from when you pee.. cause the first month of taking the birth control i had it happen maybe 2/3 times where i had a goo-y red discharge (one day after i took the pill like 15 mins late) :S
is this normal? or is it a blood clot and should i be worried?

also i finished my period the day before yesterday (today i had no blood at all) then i noticed when i went to the bathroom there wasnt a lot but the pee was reddish and i had a little bit on my underwear. this has happened before in the first month (when not on my period) where the odd time i will have a little blood ..even times i took it exactly at 12. i only took late 15 mins one day then this morning was the second accident half an hour but other then that i have been so careful so i dont get the redness when i go to the bathroom .. and little bit of blood

[softball]

Maybe you should see the doctor about that. I'm on a different birth control to you so I don't have the same problems/worries. Go and talk to the doctor, it's probably just normal side effects but if your a cautious person, like I am, I'd just check

[lynn221]

I just wanted to avoid going back to my doctors since i have been there so often in the past few months, mainly for things that worried me that were no concern to him and wasnt anything i needed to be worrying about. so that being said i was wondering if anyone has experienced what i mentioned above? like if it is normal? then i was also thinking i got the birth control prescribed from planned parenthood (even though my doctor does know, i ended up telling him before i started it) so do you think its a bother if i call planned parenthood as for the nurse that prescribed it and just explain it to her.. or should i be making an appointment? just its far and i dont want to waste time going when its nothing like other times. I'd really just like to know if anyone else has experienced any bleeding or clots of discharge in between periods while on it or if the pill was taken a little late

[Aletheia*]

I'm going to break this down, as not to confuse myself or you.

thanks guys I am not worried anymore about the half an hour.. and i think i will just go with the condom and me being on birth control and possibly pull out .. but no spermicide if its going to cause problems that i dont need since i should be protected anyways. has anyone hear ever heard of someone getting pregnant with the pill (who has taken it same time everyday, like me ) and who used a condom? i know the chance is very low though, but my birth control , tri cyclen lo is a lower dose of hormone.

Now, I'm sure you know that though you might be on birth control and will be using extra protection, there is ALWAYS a chance of pregnancy. No birth control is 100% except to remain abstinent. That's the only effective "birth control" out there. But, with the birth control your on, it's highly effective in preventing pregnancy. The decrease in hormones in your pill HELP to prevent pregnancy, not to cause it. You can find out more information here: http://www.thepill.com/aboutortho-how

also i read a lot of things online that scared me regarding people taking b/c and getting so many nasty side effects and even people posting there daughter died because of tri-cyclen lo or other birth control :/ and things about blood clots killing women.. no this may be silly but is a blood clot literally like a discharge of blood from when you pee.. cause the first month of taking the birth control i had it happen maybe 2/3 times where i had a goo-y red discharge (one day after i took the pill like 15 mins late) :S
is this normal? or is it a blood clot and should i be worried?

Your blood is meant to clot. But, the way you've described it is normal. I've been on birth control since I was 16, and have had my period since I was 11, and I still often see little clumps of blood. It's a normal occurrence. The blood clots they are talking about are ones that build up inside the body, the most common place being the leg. Blood clots ARE dangerous, however, the birth control your on decrease those chances as it's a low hormonal birth control. You just need to remain calm. Just because other people have experienced blood clotting or other side effects from the pill doesn't mean you'll experience those same things. We're all different, and we all react differently to medication. If you notice pain in your leg(s), do a quick once over by just feeling around for any strange lumps. If you feel one, go immediately to the emergency room where they can better take care of it.

also i finished my period the day before yesterday (today i had no blood at all) then i noticed when i went to the bathroom there wasnt a lot but the pee was reddish and i had a little bit on my underwear. this has happened before in the first month (when not on my period) where the odd time i will have a little blood ..even times i took it exactly at 12. i only took late 15 mins one day then this morning was the second accident half an hour but other then that i have been so careful so i dont get the redness when i go to the bathroom .. and little bit of blood

This is also normal. Our periods can be strange, and what you're experiencing is just a little left over blood from your period. It has nothing to do with you taking the pill a little bit late. If you had missed the pill like 2-3 days, and you were bleeding, then you'd know why you were bleeding, because that would be your period coming again. Trust me, everything you've described thus far is normal, and there is nothing wrong with you.

If you're truly concerned, contact your doctor for a little peace of mind. Obviously, they are the proffesionals and we are not.

[dreamer1234]

Lol that's a little overboard. The b/c is pretty protective plus a condom. I think that's good, he shouldn't have to pull out, I've been sexually active for a while now and i'm on b/c and use a condom and i haven't gotten prego so i think you should be fine.
Don't be afraid to let loose and have fun hahaha

[lynn221]

thanks andrea and shannon .. one last thing that i just thought of now , i was always reading different things online and was wondering when is it that you are least likely to get pregnant? i know it can happen anytime .. but is it best right after your period is done- within a week after its done.. and then your most likely to conceive in the mid of a womens cycle ? (if it is on average 28 days) is this correct.. i've read so many different things.. cause he wants to have sex but like 2 days before my periods suppose to come so i feel like I will be most likely to get pregnant then? orrr is it better cause then since i know im on birth control and then i dont need to stress for weeks waiting for a period if it comes in 2 days anyways lol thoughts?

[Revolution]

Originally Posted by lynn221

thanks andrea and shannon .. one last thing that i just thought of now , i was always reading different things online and was wondering when is it that you are least likely to get pregnant? i know it can happen anytime .. but is it best right after your period is done- within a week after its done.. and then your most likely to conceive in the mid of a womens cycle ? (if it is on average 28 days) is this correct.. i've read so many different things.. cause he wants to have sex but like 2 days before my periods suppose to come so i feel like I will be most likely to get pregnant then? orrr is it better cause then since i know im on birth control and then i dont need to stress for weeks waiting for a period if it comes in 2 days anyways lol thoughts?

The time you are most likely to get pregnant is 14 days before your period, when you are ovulating. Anytime that's not then, you're less likely. If you're on the pill though, it really doesn't matter, your ovulation is blocked by the hormone anyway, so pregnancy is not really an issue.

Honestly, girl, I'm just going to let you know that I work in sexual health education, I am not an expert nor a professional, but from what I know about condoms, don't pull out. It will honestly give it a higher chance of breaking or slipping off. Let him cum in the condom. If the condom breaks, you are on the pill. Going overboard with the birth control is going to lower your sexual experience, and make it not worth it to do so. Obviously, there is a chance of pregnancy by having sex. But as accurate as birth control and condoms are, you'll be just fine. That's what my boyfriend and I use, and I have never been pregnant nor caught any STIs. I think that would be just fine.