Birth Control Confusion

[daisygirl10]

i've been on birth control for two months now and I am waiting to get my withdrawal bleed. In the directions, it says to wait a week to have unprotected sex when starting the pills. Does this mean wait a week after each start of the pills or just first starting them? Am I protected even if it's the second day of the third month?

[Sam W]

Hi daisygirl,
No, that only means that you need to wait a week the first month you start the pills, because they're not up to full effectiveness yet (we actually advise waiting a month). And, in all honesty, it's best to back up with condoms anyway, since they provide another layer of protection.

[daisygirl10]

so if I take the pills around the same time everyday and don't miss any (or vomit them up), can I assume that they are effective regardless of condom use?

[Eddie]

Yes. But as Sam pointed out, is not a bad idea to also use condoms. That way you have more protection against pregnancy and it is the only method that protects you from STI's.