Changing Birth Controls - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

calibrich · 03-14-2007, 05:18 AM

My girl was on the Nuvaring. She was on it for 2 months. Then she decided to get on the pill. When sunday came and she would have normally started a new ring, she started her new pills as directed instead. Its Tri sprintec. She says her doc told her she would be still protected right away, but a friend of mine said it usually takes a month for new pills to be effective even if you never actually get off of a form of birth control.

Just just asking in case anyone might have an idea.

The_Jazz · 03-14-2007, 05:31 AM

This sounds like a question for a doctor. One that's already been posed to an actual doctor and answered.

If your girl did the responsible thing and asked the question, why do you doubt the answer? Is your friend a doctor or just a regular joe?

JustJess · 03-14-2007, 05:34 AM

When I changed from the patch to the ring, my gyno told me the same thing - if I'm not mistaken, it's because the hormones and the amounts haven't changed, just the method of delivery - thus no need to wait the first month. However, it wouldn't kill you to play it safe and use backup.

snowy · 03-14-2007, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustJess

When I changed from the patch to the ring, my gyno told me the same thing - if I'm not mistaken, it's because the hormones and the amounts haven't changed, just the method of delivery - thus no need to wait the first month. However, it wouldn't kill you to play it safe and use backup.

Yep.

The reason why hormonal birth control pills are usually less effective the first month is because enough of the hormone that stops ovulation might not have built up enough in the woman's system, and therefore ovulation might still occur because of this. It really depends on the pill. Most low-dose pills need to be used with a back-up method for the first month so that the build-up of hormone can occur. Nuvaring needs to be used with a back-up method for the first month. Switching from Nuvaring to low-dose or higher dose hormonal birth control pills should not be a problem, but it's always a good idea to use condoms.

Oh, and the last time I talked to my RNP she said that on regular birth control pills (not tricyclic and not low-dose) it usually takes a week before you're protected, but condoms are a good call regardless, as you've also got to take some responsibility.

calibrich · 03-14-2007, 08:13 AM

The friend knows nothing and isnt a doctor. I just hated to have that doubt in my head.

Even on the ring, we used the pull out method. I wanted her to be on it for a month or two before I would feel comfortable.

Well last night, we did it and there was some miscommunication. I said ok, as i time to get off, and she didnt. I tried to hold it, but dont think i did completely. She got off, but who knows if it was on time or not. So thats why Im a little freaked. The doc said it was ok, and thats why she didnt plan on getting off. I think everything is ok, but we are having troubles and wasnt what I was hoping to happen.

Acetylene · 03-14-2007, 10:44 AM

There's a word for people who use the pull-out method: Parents.

Sperm can leak out at any time and it only takes one. If you are really worried, use a condom or spermacide. Don't ruin a perfectly good orgasm trying to hold it in or pull out, it really doesn't help enough to be worth it.

calibrich · 03-14-2007, 01:51 PM

Well doing some research on the matter has eased my mind a little. Looks like it just really depends on the kinds of birth control you go from to.

When making a change to COCs from other hormonal birth control options, such as the contraceptive patch or ring, the World Health Organization (WHO) states that a woman may start COCs at any time without a back-up method, if she has used the other hormonal methods as directed. However, if a woman's previous method was injectable birth control, such as Depo Provera, she needs to begin using the COCs or POPs when the next shot is scheduled in order to be continually protected from pregnancy.

Thanks for the replies.

03-14-2007, 05:18 AM	#1 (permalink)
calibrich Upright	Changing Birth Controls My girl was on the Nuvaring. She was on it for 2 months. Then she decided to get on the pill. When sunday came and she would have normally started a new ring, she started her new pills as directed instead. Its Tri sprintec. She says her doc told her she would be still protected right away, but a friend of mine said it usually takes a month for new pills to be effective even if you never actually get off of a form of birth control. Just just asking in case anyone might have an idea.

03-14-2007, 05:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
The_Jazz Asshole Administrator Location: Chicago	This sounds like a question for a doctor. One that's already been posed to an actual doctor and answered. If your girl did the responsible thing and asked the question, why do you doubt the answer? Is your friend a doctor or just a regular joe? __________________ "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - B. Franklin "There ought to be limits to freedom." - George W. Bush "We have met the enemy and he is us." - Pogo

03-14-2007, 05:34 AM	#3 (permalink)
JustJess Unencapsulated Location: Kittyville	When I changed from the patch to the ring, my gyno told me the same thing - if I'm not mistaken, it's because the hormones and the amounts haven't changed, just the method of delivery - thus no need to wait the first month. However, it wouldn't kill you to play it safe and use backup. __________________ My heart knows me better than I know myself, so I'm gonna let it do all the talkin'.

03-14-2007, 10:44 AM	#6 (permalink)
Acetylene Addict Location: under a rock	There's a word for people who use the pull-out method: Parents. Sperm can leak out at any time and it only takes one. If you are really worried, use a condom or spermacide. Don't ruin a perfectly good orgasm trying to hold it in or pull out, it really doesn't help enough to be worth it. __________________ There's no justice. There's just us.

03-14-2007, 08:13 AM	#5 (permalink)
calibrich Upright	The friend knows nothing and isnt a doctor. I just hated to have that doubt in my head. Even on the ring, we used the pull out method. I wanted her to be on it for a month or two before I would feel comfortable. Well last night, we did it and there was some miscommunication. I said ok, as i time to get off, and she didnt. I tried to hold it, but dont think i did completely. She got off, but who knows if it was on time or not. So thats why Im a little freaked. The doc said it was ok, and thats why she didnt plan on getting off. I think everything is ok, but we are having troubles and wasnt what I was hoping to happen.

03-14-2007, 01:51 PM	#7 (permalink)
calibrich Upright	Well doing some research on the matter has eased my mind a little. Looks like it just really depends on the kinds of birth control you go from to. When making a change to COCs from other hormonal birth control options, such as the contraceptive patch or ring, the World Health Organization (WHO) states that a woman may start COCs at any time without a back-up method, if she has used the other hormonal methods as directed. However, if a woman's previous method was injectable birth control, such as Depo Provera, she needs to begin using the COCs or POPs when the next shot is scheduled in order to be continually protected from pregnancy. Thanks for the replies.