How Long Until Birth Control Pills Are Effective?

[aeon]

I'm not sure if this is the right place for this, but I'll gice it a shot.

Anyways, my girlfriend recently got birth control pills, but she tells me that they take three months until they become effective, and she doesn't want us to have sex until that time, even if I'm wearing a condom.  Is this true?  Do they really take three months?  I've been trying to do some research on my own, and what I've found seems to say that the pills are effective almost immediately, providing you start them at the right time of the cycle.  

So, what's right?  How long does it really take?

[JoAnnaRF]

I think it depends on the type of pill she is taking but 3 months sounds a bit long. I have heard anywhere from a week or two to 2 months before they are affective but it is simply advised to use added protection such as condoms during the waiting period. However, maybe she is saying this because she is not ready to have sex and is trying to postpone it. If this is the case then you should respect her decision and be patient. I suggest taht you talk to her and let her know what you have found out and ask her if she is just "not ready"? Honestly is key in any relationship and talking this through with no pressure is a good idea. If she is just trying to postpone, don't be angry, sex can be very scarey, especially the first time and women really want it to be PERFECT.
Hope you two get this worked out.
--J

[susannak]

For most types it is 7 days after starting.  It is all explained in the patient package insert that is included with the pills.  If your gf has lost this or doesn't understand it she needs to either call her doctors office and talk to the nurse there, or call her pharmacist and ask.  

There are different types but no type takes 3 months to be effective.  If that is what she is telling you then either she doesn't understand or as JoannRF said she is not ready to go farther.

[iluvu02]

mine is a month

[afraidnalone]

uh, my doctor has always told me with every type of pill ive taken, that I have to wait a month(the first cycle/pill pack)before I can count on them to be completly effective....Ive never heard three months for ANY kind of birth control.sorry, maybe she just wants to put off having sex for some reason...and thats the only way to do it without an arguement...or without hurting your feelings...or whatever other feeling she thinks you may have.

[susannak]

Most types of pills only require that you use a secondary method for the first 7 days.  
What types of pills are you/were you on that required one month?  Maybe your doctor was being super extra cautious, because that's just not necessary with most types.  Again the patient package insert will tell you low long to wait before you have to stop using a back up method.

[IWantToBeAMom]

I believe your girlfriend has gotten the timeframes confused.  It can take three months for your body to become adjusted to the birth control.  Meaning she might have some breakthrough bleeding or she might feel a little weird until her body adjusts to the presence of the hormones.  It's not that they take that long to become effective.  I believe she just got the times mixed up in her head of the two, 1) time to become effective and 2) time for your body to adjust.

[sandcookies]

I take TriNessa and I was told it took a month.

[MissNicolaMay]

Is your girlfriend by chance taking yasmin? I say this because I am currently taking it and yes, i was told it will take 3 months to work as birth control aswell.

[mrblackbird]

im on yasmin, and no it doesnt take three months. No birth control does. you take it for 7 days and it works, though every woman is different so just in case, doctors will tell you to take it one month before using un-protected sex without a condom. so either A) your girlfriend has been wrongly informed or B) (and this is much more likely) she's telling you that because she may be scared or hesitant to have sex if she's a virgin or if you're a new partner. talk it out and be honest, explain to her your need to be physical with her, and let her have her say (dont judge too much) communication is everything.
But yeah, no birth control takes three months.