I need Ladies help

[Priscila and Christopher 0]

Ahhh, I can't get any birth control pills... Only a injection called Mesigyna! I'm afraid of injections, though!

It sucks to be obligated to use condoms...

Just venting.... hehe

[UmmSqueakster 54]

Ahhh, I can't get any birth control pills... Only a injection called Mesigyna! I'm afraid of injections, though!

It sucks to be obligated to use condoms...

Just venting.... hehe

Is it because of the estrogin? The estrogin in BC pills gave my sister monster migrains, but she's got one now that has no estrogin. Can't remember the name though.

[noemij 0]

Question 1: Are pills really this expensive?

Question 2: Do I need a prescription to buy pills in US?

Yes, they are really that expensive, and yes, you need a prescription from your doctor (ob/gyn or family practitioner) to get them; some insurance companies cover birth control pills, so you can get them at a lower price. I don't know why birth control pills cost so much in the states. When I was living in Italy, I was able to get the same birth control pills I was taking in the states for a much lower price, 10 euros as opposed to the $40 that the pill costs in the states.

[Miranda&James 8]

I'm no longer on the birth control, but in Canada , i used to use Alesse21, and it also had no side effects, it was great.. I don't remember paying a dime for it though, i dont' know why... I dont know if they sell it here in the US..

I was on Alesse in Canada - my doc here prescribed a generic that's the same dosage as Alesse. Smooth sailing and 100% covered by insurance.

I think that is the one my doctor prescribed for me, sounds familiar at least (don't have the package near me to look) I'm glad to hear people like it!

Ok, now another BC related question that I don't want to make a whole thread over -

When do you start your first pill? My doctor just said oh start it on Sunday even if you're on your period. I read the package and it said you have to start it the sunday after you've started (even if you're still bleeding), not just any Sunday like my doctor said. Also, when you do start it how long until you're "covered" and I don't have to worry about any little Miranda's or James' appearing too soon! I'm gonna call the pharmacist and ask as well but I trust the ladies of VJ to give me good advice as well!

[noemij 0]

you have to start it the sunday after you've started (even if you're still bleeding),

That's right...you start on the first Sunday of your period, even if you're still bleeding. As for coverage, my doctor said to give your body about a month to get used to bc...

[ariel_2005 0]

i take Norinyl and i pay 10$ every month for prescription but of course we have insurance for anything possible and thats almost 400!!! .... lol

[j&js 0]

I believe that with most pills it can take up to 3 months to get your body 100% used to it... I don't know if that means you are all set to go without other means of protection or not. I just remember when I started the pill a couple years ago that I was having issues with spotting and headaches. I called my ob/gyn and was told something about the 3 month adjustment period. And it was true, I remember it working itself out and I was in a mostly normal cycle by the end of three months.

Not sure how accurate my information is, I would ask a pharmacist.

[Ladylethal 12]

It took me a long time to adapt to Yasmin, as the pill I was taking for years before had a higher dosage, my organism had a hard time adjusting, so yeah, spotting, headaches and the whole #######. Now I'm perfectly adapted and loving it, hence why I don't want to switch yet again. But the price is scaring me!

I will take the advice, I'll do a little stock up on my pill, and after I get there I'll seek a doc to see if I can a prescription to get Yasmin for a lower price.

[rebeccajo 14]

When do you start your first pill? My doctor just said oh start it on Sunday even if you're on your period. I read the package and it said you have to start it the sunday after you've started (even if you're still bleeding), not just any Sunday like my doctor said. Also, when you do start it how long until you're "covered" and I don't have to worry about any little Miranda's or James' appearing too soon! I'm gonna call the pharmacist and ask as well but I trust the ladies of VJ to give me good advice as well!

James is arriving in less than 2 weeks right? And you haven't started dosing yet - is that right?

I'd call the nurse at the doctors office and ask when you can start 'trusting' your pills. I bet she's going to say at least one full cycle - maybe two.

Back about 30 years ago when I first started on the pill, insurance NEVER covered them. Hell, most people didn't even have a prescription plan back then. When prescription plans started becoming more commonplace, the pill was never covered. That never made sense to me - it's a great improvement that insurance is covering them now.

I got my period when I was 10 - I had my son at 31 - and I had my tubes tied at 42. I'm 48 now. After dealing with 'femaleness' for nearly 40 years, my opinion of birth control is this - do the easy thing.

If there had been a ring, patch or shot back when I was of childbearing age, I would have chosen that over a pill I had to remember each day.

But that's just my lazy ####### talking.....

Edited April 19, 2006 by rebeccajo

[Chicken_Little 0]

[i think that is the one my doctor prescribed for me, sounds familiar at least (don't have the package near me to look) I'm glad to hear people like it!

Ok, now another BC related question that I don't want to make a whole thread over -

When do you start your first pill? My doctor just said oh start it on Sunday even if you're on your period. I read the package and it said you have to start it the sunday after you've started (even if you're still bleeding), not just any Sunday like my doctor said. Also, when you do start it how long until you're "covered" and I don't have to worry about any little Miranda's or James' appearing too soon! I'm gonna call the pharmacist and ask as well but I trust the ladies of VJ to give me good advice as well!

You can actually start on any day.

However, if you start your pills in the middle of your cycle, you will very likely have spotting or breakthrough bleeding.

The reason doctors say Sunday is that then theoretically you shouldn't have your period on weekends. Works for some ladies, not for others. It depends on how long after you take your last "active" (hormone-containing) pill your period starts. For some women it's the next day, for others, three or four.

If you take your first pill on the very first day of your period, you are protected immediately. All 99.9% worth (provided you take your pills perfectly). If you start on any other day (including the first Sunday after you start to bleed) then you must wait seven days before you are protected.

After seven days of perfect pill use (on time, same time daily, no missed pills, no vomitting shortly after taking the pill, no interfering substances), you are as protected as you will ever be.

Doctors say "a month" sometimes to give women a chance to get used to taking it. They figure that after a whole month, there's less chance the women will be forgetting pills, taking them late, etc.

But medically, after seven days of perfect use a woman is protected and can rely on the pill alone for contraception.

Again, it's not 100% effective, but then NO method is!

Rules to remember to ensure you're getting the most protection:

- Take pills on time, every day.

- If you miss a pill, check your pill packet's insert (the little bit of paper that comes in the pack with all the info on it) or look up your pill online. MOST combined pills (ones containing estrogen and progestin) such as Yasmin, Demulen, Ortho-Tricyclen, Alesse, etc do NOT require back-up to be used in the case of one missed pill, unless it is the first or last of the pack.

- If TWO pills are missed, take two pills when you remember, and two the next day, so that you are caught up. So if you miss Wednesday and Thursday's pills, then on Friday you would take those two pills. On Saturday you would take Friday's pill along with Saturday's. If you miss TWO pills, you must use back up such as condoms or abstain from sex until you've taken the seven consecutive active pills perfectly (ie you've taken a week of pills on time each day, missing none, no vomitting, no interfering substances, etc).

- If more then two pills are missed, then take one pill a day until Sunday and then throw out the remaining pills and start a new pack. This means you may not get a period this month. Or, due to the missed pills, you may start early and/or spot all month. You must use back-up such as condoms or else abstain from sex until you've taken seven consecutive pills perfectly or you could become pregnant.

On the "mini" pill (pills containing ONLY estrogen), a pill is considered "missed" if it's three hours or more late, and back-up must be used for 48 hours.

- If prescribed antibiotics, check with your doctor or pharmacist if they interact with your pill. SOME antibiotics lessen the effectiveness of the pill. Others do not effect it. Ask your doctor. IF the antibiotics you are on do lessen the effectiveness of the pill, then use back up or abstain for the entire time you are on the antibiotics and for seven days after you finish them.

-The first and last pill in a pack are the most important, since any time you go more then seven days without a pill, you put yourself at risk of pregnancy. To avoid this, start each new pack on time.

-You must take at LEAST 21 active pills in a row before taking the week off or you risk pregnancy. But if you want to push your period back by a week, it is fine to take four weeks of active pills rather then three. Just be sure that you start a brand new pack after your break, becasue you will need 21 active pills in a row before your next break.

- If you throw up one or two hours after taking your pill, it may not have been broken down. If you have a spare pack, take an extra pill. If not, follow the instructions for one missed pill.

There! I think that about covers it.

[anya-D 8]

I bought mine from back home for a year worth and would just ask my mom to send it to me when i need it... oh... my sister is coming so i'll ask her to get it for me.. until i make more money than this.. i'll have to do it this way ><

[hockeygal 0]

yep, I'm planning to bring a year's supply with me. One, it will be cheaper, two, I get it back from insurance. I figure by the time they run out, I should have a great job with fabulous benefits. Right?

[ladybutterfly 0]

I was also panicking when I heard that you have to pay for birth control here but I went to my local planned parenthood, said I didnt have any health insurance which I dont and they gave me a whole years pills totally free of charge. As for the exam, they just take your weight and blood pressure.

[MrMrsKnight 0]

I was also panicking when I heard that you have to pay for birth control here but I went to my local planned parenthood, said I didnt have any health insurance which I dont and they gave me a whole years pills totally free of charge. As for the exam, they just take your weight and blood pressure.

That's cool and I've already decided planned parenthood is gonna be my friend once I move there

But about the pills..... I think that instead of buying them in the US I'll have my mom send me some every 3 months and I'll donate part of the money I'd use! That's just a thought.......

[Miranda&James 8]

[i think that is the one my doctor prescribed for me, sounds familiar at least (don't have the package near me to look) I'm glad to hear people like it!

Ok, now another BC related question that I don't want to make a whole thread over -

When do you start your first pill? My doctor just said oh start it on Sunday even if you're on your period. I read the package and it said you have to start it the sunday after you've started (even if you're still bleeding), not just any Sunday like my doctor said. Also, when you do start it how long until you're "covered" and I don't have to worry about any little Miranda's or James' appearing too soon! I'm gonna call the pharmacist and ask as well but I trust the ladies of VJ to give me good advice as well!

You can actually start on any day.

However, if you start your pills in the middle of your cycle, you will very likely have spotting or breakthrough bleeding.

The reason doctors say Sunday is that then theoretically you shouldn't have your period on weekends. Works for some ladies, not for others. It depends on how long after you take your last "active" (hormone-containing) pill your period starts. For some women it's the next day, for others, three or four.

If you take your first pill on the very first day of your period, you are protected immediately. All 99.9% worth (provided you take your pills perfectly). If you start on any other day (including the first Sunday after you start to bleed) then you must wait seven days before you are protected.

After seven days of perfect pill use (on time, same time daily, no missed pills, no vomitting shortly after taking the pill, no interfering substances), you are as protected as you will ever be.

Doctors say "a month" sometimes to give women a chance to get used to taking it. They figure that after a whole month, there's less chance the women will be forgetting pills, taking them late, etc.

But medically, after seven days of perfect use a woman is protected and can rely on the pill alone for contraception.

Again, it's not 100% effective, but then NO method is!

Rules to remember to ensure you're getting the most protection:

- Take pills on time, every day.

- If you miss a pill, check your pill packet's insert (the little bit of paper that comes in the pack with all the info on it) or look up your pill online. MOST combined pills (ones containing estrogen and progestin) such as Yasmin, Demulen, Ortho-Tricyclen, Alesse, etc do NOT require back-up to be used in the case of one missed pill, unless it is the first or last of the pack.

- If TWO pills are missed, take two pills when you remember, and two the next day, so that you are caught up. So if you miss Wednesday and Thursday's pills, then on Friday you would take those two pills. On Saturday you would take Friday's pill along with Saturday's. If you miss TWO pills, you must use back up such as condoms or abstain from sex until you've taken the seven consecutive active pills perfectly (ie you've taken a week of pills on time each day, missing none, no vomitting, no interfering substances, etc).

- If more then two pills are missed, then take one pill a day until Sunday and then throw out the remaining pills and start a new pack. This means you may not get a period this month. Or, due to the missed pills, you may start early and/or spot all month. You must use back-up such as condoms or else abstain from sex until you've taken seven consecutive pills perfectly or you could become pregnant.

On the "mini" pill (pills containing ONLY estrogen), a pill is considered "missed" if it's three hours or more late, and back-up must be used for 48 hours.

- If prescribed antibiotics, check with your doctor or pharmacist if they interact with your pill. SOME antibiotics lessen the effectiveness of the pill. Others do not effect it. Ask your doctor. IF the antibiotics you are on do lessen the effectiveness of the pill, then use back up or abstain for the entire time you are on the antibiotics and for seven days after you finish them.

-The first and last pill in a pack are the most important, since any time you go more then seven days without a pill, you put yourself at risk of pregnancy. To avoid this, start each new pack on time.

-You must take at LEAST 21 active pills in a row before taking the week off or you risk pregnancy. But if you want to push your period back by a week, it is fine to take four weeks of active pills rather then three. Just be sure that you start a brand new pack after your break, becasue you will need 21 active pills in a row before your next break.

- If you throw up one or two hours after taking your pill, it may not have been broken down. If you have a spare pack, take an extra pill. If not, follow the instructions for one missed pill.

There! I think that about covers it.

WOW thanks! I should start again around the early part of May and the wedding is May 20th so hopefully things will work out good with being protected! I am wondering about a couple things though...

If I start my first pill on the first day of my period (or the Sunday after) won't that mean I'll be on active pills that week, then two more weeks with no bleeding, and then do the placebo ones, and as a result have my period only two weeks after I finished my last one?

Another thing, if I decide to "skip" a period and take four weeks of active pills, where do I get that last week of active pills? The pack only has three, do I steal a week from a new pack, then take the two more weeks in the new pack, and then start the placebo and get my period? So, a total of 6 weeks then with active pills and then a period?

BOY this seems confusing to me.......it's tempting to just get the shot!

When do you start your first pill? My doctor just said oh start it on Sunday even if you're on your period. I read the package and it said you have to start it the sunday after you've started (even if you're still bleeding), not just any Sunday like my doctor said. Also, when you do start it how long until you're "covered" and I don't have to worry about any little Miranda's or James' appearing too soon! I'm gonna call the pharmacist and ask as well but I trust the ladies of VJ to give me good advice as well!

James is arriving in less than 2 weeks right? And you haven't started dosing yet - is that right?

I'd call the nurse at the doctors office and ask when you can start 'trusting' your pills. I bet she's going to say at least one full cycle - maybe two.

Back about 30 years ago when I first started on the pill, insurance NEVER covered them. Hell, most people didn't even have a prescription plan back then. When prescription plans started becoming more commonplace, the pill was never covered. That never made sense to me - it's a great improvement that insurance is covering them now.

I got my period when I was 10 - I had my son at 31 - and I had my tubes tied at 42. I'm 48 now. After dealing with 'femaleness' for nearly 40 years, my opinion of birth control is this - do the easy thing.

If there had been a ring, patch or shot back when I was of childbearing age, I would have chosen that over a pill I had to remember each day.

But that's just my lazy ####### talking.....

He does but we're gonna refrain from anything until the wedding, want to make it all fresh and special!