Seven days I believe - make sure you take it every day for one week and it doesn't work if you're on any antibiotics. Basically, take it for a week without taking anything else, and you should be protected. Use a condom too though, as the pill does not protect against STIs and STDs. You can never be too safe! x x x

Reply 4

SexyKe

1

STOP!! Ask your doctor/nurse; it really depends on which type of pill and where you were in your cycle when you started them. The leaflet in the packet might help but id say be safe rather than sorry; use a condom if in doubt. Iv had a pregnancy scare before and i duno how old you are but i was 15 and it was scary!!

Reply 5

rachplatt

OP

2

I'm 18 and I will obviously go to the doctors and get it all sorted...and use a condom anyway. I just wondered when i should go to the docs in preparation for my hols (with my boyfriend, not just any randoms i might meet!).

Reply 6

bohogirlie

3

rachplatt

This is incredibly naive, but which day is your first day?

Start taking your first pack of pills on the day you get your period, then you should be ok, but jsut to be on the safe side i would use extra protection (i.e. a condom) for the next few weeks.

Reply 7

Random.Girl

14

Like someone has already said, you're protected immediately if you start taking it on the first day of your period. If you take it any other time in your cycle, then 7 days is the stated time it takes for you to be protected but my doctor advised me to do 14 days just to be safe.

Reply 8

Madelyn

13

Yep, it's safe (pregnancy-wise) to have condom-less sex after a week on the pill. If you ever miss a pill or take it really late (varies according to the type of pill, the leaflet in the packet ought to tell you), then use another form of protection until you've had a full week of pills.
In terms of STIs, I think if you and your partner are sleeping exclusively with each other for three months, you're ok to stop using condoms. It's also a good idea to get youselves checked out at a clinic.

Reply 9

SexyKe

1

rachplatt

I'm 18 and I will obviously go to the doctors and get it all sorted...and use a condom anyway. I just wondered when i should go to the docs in preparation for my hols (with my boyfriend, not just any randoms i might meet!).

I didnt mean to be patronising but i know iv made mistake with stuff like this before and i found it really scary. JUst to warn you on hols you are prone to stomach upsets which can stop pill working so it might not be the best option.Injection, implants or patch may be better and also less prone to mess ups with time zone changes.

Reply 10

Random.Girl

14

Out of interest, why three months? I mean if you're in a monogamous (sp?) relationships and both of you know you're clean ...

Reply 11

viviki

14

it depends on your brand of pill. READ what it says on the instructions in the packet

Reply 12

misty

2

Off Topic sorry- but I really want to go on the pill- for two reasons.. 1 being I wanna have sex and t'other that I have extremely irregular periods and have done for like, well since Ive had them which is 7 years now. How do I get on it- I have nooo idea...

Reply 13

Lauren18

14

misty

Off Topic sorry- but I really want to go on the pill- for two reasons.. 1 being I wanna have sex and t'other that I have extremely irregular periods and have done for like, well since Ive had them which is 7 years now. How do I get on it- I have nooo idea...

Go and see your GP or a local Family Planning Clinic. They are fully confidential and contraception is provided free on the NHS - just bite the bullet and book an appointment! x

Reply 14

Jenna999

1

Madelyn

In terms of STIs, I think if you and your partner are sleeping exclusively with each other for three months, you're ok to stop using condoms. It's also a good idea to get youselves checked out at a clinic.

Yeah but if one or both of you have slept with someone else before and haven't been checked out, waiting three months before ditching the condoms isnt going to stop any STIs spreading if you have one. If there's any risk don't ditch the condoms until you know for sure. I'm sure you meant that tho, rather than just "woo, three months have gone, we're ok now!" kind of thing...

Reply 15

pete77

1

we seem to have real experts on the issue here with no one short of their own piece of advice !

Reply 16

puppy

rachplatt

...before you are protected?

Read the instructions on the packet.

Reply 17

Joey12

1

Right quick question, just obtained the pill from my GP and she said start it on the first day of period for protection straight away which i understand, but i dont need protection straight away so is it ok to start it after then? Plus if you do start it on the first day of period does it immediately stop the bleeding?

Reply 18

Jenna999

1

Joey12

Right quick question, just obtained the pill from my GP and she said start it on the first day of period for protection straight away which i understand, but i dont need protection straight away so is it ok to start it after then? Plus if you do start it on the first day of period does it immediately stop the bleeding?

No, it more than likely wont immediately stop the bleeding. Most people find their period is a bit prolonged as soon as they start takign the pill. Others find the bleeding *may* cease after taking the first pill or two due to the exta hormones, but this is far less likely than a slightly prolonged bleed.

Why dont you want to start it on the first day of your period? its fine to take it on another day if you dont want protection, but seems a bit pointless.

Reply 19

Joey12

1

Its only coz im trying to time it so i dont get my period while im on holiday wich is the 11th July...and i guess my periods due bout the 5th June....so hopefully i wont have it on hol coz im going for 2 weeks...i gess i cud run 2 packs together but if ive only just started i gess im not too keen on the idea since i dont kno wot side effects ill have yet?

How long do u need to be on the pill for...

Related discussions

Articles for you