Using Birth Control Pills
When Do I Start My Pills?
You can start your pills on any day of your cycle. Starting on a Sunday helps because most packs start on Sunday.
​
Will My Pills Work Right Away?
Not always. If you start your pills:
-
Within 5 days of the start of your period, the pill will work right away and you do not need backup birth control.
-
After the first 5 days of your period, the pill will not work right away so use backup birth control - like condoms - or don't have sex for 7 days.
​
How Do I Take My Birth Control Pills?
It's up to you, depending on whether or not you want to have a period.
If you want to have a period every month:
-
Swallow one pill every day, at the same time every day.
-
Take all the hormone pills, and placebo pills then start a new pack. Taking pills this way will give you a period about every 4 weeks.
​
If you want to choose when you have a period:
-
Take the first 3 weeks of hormone pills, skip the placebo pills, and start a new pack the next day. Continue taking only the hormone pills to avoid having your period.
-
When you're ready to have a period, take the placebo pills.
​
