How long till pills become effective?

Contributor: snowminx snowminx
I'm planning to go on birth control for the first time. How long do you have to hold out on sex before it's save? I've searched and some day a month, a week, and some say it depends on if you're on your period or not. So anyone have any info from personal experience or remember what you doctor said?
04/14/2013
  • Save Extra 50% On Sexobot Attachment
  • Upgrade Your Hands-Free Play!
  • Complete strap-on set for extra 15% off
  • Save 50% On Shower Nozzle With Enema Set
  • Enjoy 50% Off Selected Items
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
All promotions
Contributor: Lildrummrgurl7 Lildrummrgurl7
Most doctors will tell you that they're effective after about a week but you should definitely use a back up method until you've completed your first round of pills. There's always a chance it takes more than a week for your body to respond to the pills.
04/14/2013
Contributor: *Camoprincess* *Camoprincess*
Quote:
Originally posted by snowminx
I'm planning to go on birth control for the first time. How long do you have to hold out on sex before it's save? I've searched and some day a month, a week, and some say it depends on if you're on your period or not. So anyone have ... more
My OBGYNs and the health dept. always told me for the first month to be prepared to use a backup method. I however never had an issue with the pill failing me in the getting pregnant dept. Ask your doctor they would be the best ones to ask and to explain it
04/14/2013
Contributor: epiphanyjayne epiphanyjayne
be extra careful the first month.
04/15/2013
Contributor: TJtheMadHatter TJtheMadHatter
I've been told by gyno's in the past to wait a month, and it usually says it on the leaflet that comes with the pills.
04/15/2013
Contributor: Adnerbmw Adnerbmw
Ive always been told a month, if you by chance already ovulated you could get pregnant, so its safer to wait til you finished a round of pills and have a period.
04/15/2013
Contributor: K101 K101
Quote:
Originally posted by snowminx
I'm planning to go on birth control for the first time. How long do you have to hold out on sex before it's save? I've searched and some day a month, a week, and some say it depends on if you're on your period or not. So anyone have ... more
If I remember correctly, it's 3 months. Maybe I'm thinking of Depo Provera.
04/15/2013
Contributor: KinkyKatieJames KinkyKatieJames
It takes at least one month for your body to get fully used to the pill. I was told to use a back up method without a doubt for the first month, but two months was recommended since not everyone's body will react the same.
04/15/2013
Contributor: SMichelle SMichelle
My doctor has told me that it takes 7 days for the pills to become effective. The insert with my pills says the same thing.
04/15/2013
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by snowminx
I'm planning to go on birth control for the first time. How long do you have to hold out on sex before it's save? I've searched and some day a month, a week, and some say it depends on if you're on your period or not. So anyone have ... more
You may want to call the doctor who prescribed the Pill and he or she will tell you, depending on what kind of Birth Control Pill it is.

We usually tell our patients to use a barrier method, condom, condom with spermicidal foam, diaphragm, sponge, etc for the first month on the Pill.

Some can take close to a full month to fully prevent you from ovulating. I'd rather be safe than sorry.
04/15/2013
Contributor: SydVicious SydVicious
Quote:
Originally posted by P'Gell
You may want to call the doctor who prescribed the Pill and he or she will tell you, depending on what kind of Birth Control Pill it is.

We usually tell our patients to use a barrier method, condom, condom with spermicidal foam, diaphragm, ... more
I agree... rather be safe than sorry. I would wait the full month even if my Dr. said one week. I take no chances.
04/15/2013
Contributor: ChubbyNerd ChubbyNerd
I believe I was told either a month or 3 months.
04/15/2013
Contributor: bratcat bratcat
My OBGYN explained to me that if you are taking you pill at the same time daily, in the frist week it should become effective. However, since everyone is different it would be best to wait until you finish your first moth of pills before having unprotected sex with a partner(s). Keep in mind though if the pill is used incorrectly, like not being taken at the same time daily, it becomes less effective and your changes of becoming pregnant are higher. Also certain foods can affect the way the pill will work. It's been to do research on the brands you were giving thought to as well as talking to your doctor about it.
04/15/2013
Contributor: snowminx snowminx
Quote:
Originally posted by bratcat
My OBGYN explained to me that if you are taking you pill at the same time daily, in the frist week it should become effective. However, since everyone is different it would be best to wait until you finish your first moth of pills before having ... more
Wow I didn't know different food could effect it but I did know about taking it at the same time everyday. Jeez I wish my guy could just get snipped lol
04/15/2013
Contributor: bratcat bratcat
Quote:
Originally posted by snowminx
Wow I didn't know different food could effect it but I did know about taking it at the same time everyday. Jeez I wish my guy could just get snipped lol
a few studies suggest foods like grapefruit could effect the way medications, such as birth control, may work. An article on Livestrong.com states, "When a person consumes a grapefruit, the grapefruit causes a decrease in CYP3A levels in the intestine...Your body needs this enzyme to metabolize certain medications, including birth-control pills. This means that grapefruit can affect the level to which your body metabolizes the active ingredients in birth-control pills."
I havent done a ton of research on the subject (as my partner and i almost always use condoms as well so i worry about things like this less), but it's always something to take into account and look into.
04/15/2013
Contributor: never shy never shy
My Dr said 1 week
04/15/2013
Contributor: marriedlady123 marriedlady123
Quote:
Originally posted by Lildrummrgurl7
Most doctors will tell you that they're effective after about a week but you should definitely use a back up method until you've completed your first round of pills. There's always a chance it takes more than a week for your body to ... more
I've heard two weeks
04/16/2013
Contributor: cgartman1989 cgartman1989
2 weeks is what my dr told me
04/16/2013
Contributor: evie.amor evie.amor
Quote:
Originally posted by Lildrummrgurl7
Most doctors will tell you that they're effective after about a week but you should definitely use a back up method until you've completed your first round of pills. There's always a chance it takes more than a week for your body to ... more
Seconded, thirded, fourthed My doc said a week, but if you're fertile I'd say wait until your first pack is done to have unprotected sex.
04/20/2013