The Pill

So I just started taking birth control [Ortho Tri-Cyclen] and I was just curious how long it takes to start working. I just had sex for the first time but we used a condom as well because i knew that the birth control wasnt going to work just yet. Ive heard that it only takes a week..some say two weeks. I just wanted to know because even though youre supossed to use a condom in addition to the pill I just want to be sure im okay if some how the condoms arent reliable.

[Pepper Schwartz, Ph.D.]

  You should ask one of the medical doctors on the site.

[QuestionableMotive]

Most methods of birth control work within 1 - 3 weeks but to be positive you should wait a full cycle (one month).

[kt22689]

okay so ive been taking the pill for almost 3 weeks
im not supossed to get my period until the week
where i just take the placebo pills correct?
well i got it last week and it was spotty for like
2 days and then i still have it 6 days later
and its still pretty heavy.
my cramps are just as bad as they were before
and the Dr said this pill helps clear up your skin
but mines gotten worse i think.

im not sure if this is just not the right pill for me
or if this is just my body getting used to it

im going to go back to the Dr tomorrow
i just wanted to see if anyone else had any suggestions