When to start birth control

If you use birth control pills or are considering using them, you are one of many people who do so. The "pill" is the most often used form of birth control among American women.

It may also be one of the most effective strategies to prevent unintended births. Only three out of every 1,000 women who take hormonal birth control tablets become pregnant in a given year since they successfully prevent births 99.7% of the time. But only if you never miss a dosage and always take your medicines exactly as directed. If not, there is a 90 percent probability of an unintentional pregnancy for every 1,000 women.

Who can take Them?

You may often start taking the pill at any time and at any age as long as your doctor is certain that you are not currently pregnant. Ask your doctor whether using a "mini-pill," which contains one hormone instead of the normal two and in fewer quantities, could be preferable if you are close to menopause. The pill might not be for you if you have the following:

• an uncontrolled high blood pressure level.
• are smokers over 35?
• have a history of breast cancer, heart disease, stroke, or circulatory issues.
• nursing for less than a month.
• suffer from migraines with aura.
• have nephropathy, retinopathy, or neuropathy as diabetes-related sequelae.
• had recent surgery.
• a liver condition.
• have uterine bleeding that isn't normal.

The fundamentals of starting birth control tablets

Naturally, most people would want to start using their birth control tablets immediately. In conclusion, beginning your birth control regimen at any stage of your cycle is fine. But it might also be advantageous to begin your first birth control tablet in a planned manner.

When should one begin taking the birth control pill?

When determining when to take your first tablet, there are a few different approaches to consider.

Quick Start Technique

Simply take your first birth control pill the same day you acquire it from the drugstore if you're using this approach. Keep taking your medications as directed each day. If you want to engage in sexual activity within the first week after taking your tablets, use another means of birth control (a condom, for instance).

A Fifth-Day Start Technique

Wait until the fifth day of your menstruation to take your first tablet if you're using the fifth-day start technique. You are protected against pregnancy as soon as you begin using birth control within the first five days of your cycle.

Sunday  Start Technique

It will be easier to prevent your period from occurring on the weekends if you start taking your birth control pill on Sunday and continue to do so as instructed every day. Anyone who wants to avoid periods throughout the weekend because they have planned is a great candidate for this approach. If you intend to have sexual activity during the first seven days of beginning your tablets, utilize another form of birth control, just like with the rapid start technique.

Is starting birth control mid-cycle preferable?

The tablet may be taken at any time; you don't have to wait until your menstruation to do so. You can start using birth control tablets right away, any day of the week, and at any point throughout your menstrual cycle. Depending on when you start taking the pill and the type of birth control pill you're using, you'll know when you're protected from getting pregnant. It is advised to use a backup birth control technique for the first week after starting the pill.

Consequences of beginning the medication mid-cycle

Regardless of when a person begins using birth control pills, the following are some potential adverse effects to watch out for:

• breast soreness 
• nausea 
• headaches 
• dizziness 
• irregular menstrual bleeding.

Usually, these symptoms go away three months after taking the drug. However, if a person still feels uncomfortable with side effects after this period, they might want to discuss switching to a different kind of birth control pill with their doctor.

Beginning birth control at the start of a period

You can begin using birth control tablets at any point during the week. But starting a fresh supply of birth control pills works best if the first tablet is taken during the first five days of your monthly cycle. Starting with your first tablet, this offers rapid protection against pregnancy.

Although most birth control pill packs begin on Sundays, you can begin using birth control at any time during the week. Beginning birth control within 5 days of the menstrual cycle is advised since it immediately prevents conception. Using an additional form of contraception may relieve your mind if you like to be extra cautious.

When should birth control be started?

The efficacy of the birth control pill is not impacted by the day of the week you start taking it. There are several options for beginning birth control. Take birth control on the first day of your cycle as option one. Pregnancy prevention begins to work straight soon in this situation. The second option is to begin birth control at any point throughout your menstrual cycle, but you will need a backup technique for the first seven days. Start using birth control on a Sunday as a third alternative. Many manufacturers begin their pills on Sundays, so you will take your first tablet on the first Sunday following the beginning of your period. Similarly, within the first seven days, an alternative birth control technique like a condom is advised.

Type of birth control pill

• Birth control tablets come in two different varieties:
• The combination pill
• The progestin-only pill
• The Combination pill

Both progestin and estrogen are included in the combo medication. As the name implies, the progestin-only tablet only contains progestin. While the guidelines above offer a straightforward overview of when to begin taking the birth control pill, these guidelines can be adjusted depending on the kind of pill you'll be taking.

When should you begin consuming the combination medication?

If you intend to use the combination pill, beginning your first pill within five days of the start of your period will protect you from pregnancy right away. There is a potential that you might get pregnant if you decide to take your first combination tablet at any time other than five days following the start of your menstruation. If you want to engage in sexual activity after taking your first tablet, it is advisable to use another form of birth control for at least seven days to prevent this from happening.

The progestin-only pill

This solely includes synthetic progesterone. Another name for it is the progestin-only pill. The main methods by which the mini pill inhibits pregnancy are by thickening cervical mucus and thinning the uterine lining. As a result, there are fewer opportunities for egg fertilization and implantation.

When should you begin using the progestin-only medication?

Within two days of taking your first progestin-only medication, you will be prevented from becoming pregnant. Use a different kind of birth control to assist prevent pregnancy if you intend to engage in sexual activity during that two-day (48-hour) window.

Even if you might prefer when to begin using birth control pills, you should talk to your doctor about your alternatives. When you should begin your first course of oral contraceptives depends on several variables that you should take into account.

What does birth control help with?

7% of women who use birth control pills do it only for medical purposes and not to avoid getting pregnant. To benefit from the pill, a woman does not have to engage in sexual activity. To deal with one or more of the following medical issues, she could be given birth control prescriptions.

Heavy, erratic periods. Compared to older women, teenagers are more prone to experience heavy, irregular periods. Acne, cramps, and bloating are among the most severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms that can make it difficult to attend school or simply carry out everyday tasks. For young girls, this can be emotionally upsetting and unpleasant. Additionally, iron deficiency anemia can be brought on by significant bleeding. Teenagers are more likely than adults to acquire this illness because their bodies use up their iron reserves more quickly. The tablet may also be helpful since it lowers period bleeding and helps control hormone levels.

Ovarian polycystic syndrome (PCOS). In addition to heavy and irregular periods, excessive hair growth, weight gain, and insulin resistance, PCOS is a hormonal imbalance. The symptoms usually appear in adolescence and can be quite challenging to deal with. To aid with symptom relief, birth control may be administered to people with PCOS.

Acne. Adolescent acne might become worse due to menstrual cycle-related hormonal changes. This may hurt, leave mental turmoil in its wake, and result in lasting scars. Hormonal birth control is frequently provided to teenage females who suffer from acne to help their skin.

Endometriosis. It is a disorder that results in the endometrium's cells starting to proliferate outside of the uterus. These cells grow on the kidneys, bladder, ovaries, fallopian tubes, or intestines and connect to the uterus' exterior. Endometriosis can result in internal scarring, agonizing pain, anemia, and perhaps infertility or ovarian cancer if left untreated. To preserve women's fertility and general health, birth control tablets can be used to inhibit the proliferation of endometrial cells.

When to begin using birth control pills depends primarily on personal taste and pill type. A person using the pill for the first five days of their cycle should experience instant pregnancy prevention. In the case of the combination pill, backup contraception should be used for at least 7 days, and for at least 2 days in the case of the mini-pill, for anybody who decides to start the pill midcycle. During the first month of using any kind of birth control pill, a person might want to think about using another method of birth control to be extra cautious.