when should i start taking BCPs?

[concernedand20]

hi, I just got a prescription to start taking BCPs.  she told me that i should start taking them the sunday after i start my next cycle.  my main concern is the fact that i would like to work it out by taking them so i dont have to worry about having my period on my wedding day in sept, or during my honeymoon.  i had figured it out so that i would like to start them on sunday, may 7th.  but that is right in the middle of my cycle.  is it okay to start them at that time, and possibly postpone my period until the following month or, should i figure out something else??  if i start when she told me to i will have my period during my entire honeymoon?  what would you guys suggest??

[concernedand20]

thanks again everyone.  i miscalculated a little, and i will start taking them a week after i had originally thought i would, which should be right on time.    :)

[Aruba417]

Yeah, you can start them any time, as Monkey Flower said, but you might want to be extra careful about when you start them since you don't want to be on your period on your wedding. I think I started the pack on my first day of my period, and my doctor told me to skip the placebo pills to start the new pack and I wouldn't get my period...well...I got it anyway, and I was on my period my whole honeymoon!!!!!!!!!! So it really depends. Sometimes it works to just start the new pack, sometimes it doesn't. I would just check the calander, do the math, and start the pills that way - just to be safe! Good luck!

[concernedand20]

ok, thank you both.  i will try to contact her before my prescription comes in, and i will see what she has to say.  thanks again!!  you really helped me.

[monkeyflower]

The three ways to start bcp are:

1. Start the first day of your cycle. You are immediately protected.

2. Sunday start - start the first Sunday (or any day, really) after your cycle begins. You will need to use an alternate form of birth control for the first seven days.

or

3. You can start them at any time during your cycle, but you'll have to use another form of birth control for a month.

[JJety]

I agree with "my time".

Start taking your pills exactly when you're supposed to.  Then in September you just take the packs back-to-back and skip your period that month.

Ask your doc before you do, but I'm sure it's fine.  People do it all the time to skip their period for whatever reason.

Good luck!

[concernedand20]

thanks, everyone.  i will talk to my doct. and see what she says, cuz thats kinda why i wanted to work it out now instead of in sept because just incase it didnt work, i would know if im all set in advance.  thanks for all you advice

[cugirl]

I started my BCP's (in Aug)in the middle of my cycle because I was getting married in Dec and didnt want it to starting on my wedding day or honeymoon.  My Dr told me to start mine on a Sunday when I wanted to.  I had previously been on the Depo shot and it caused my periods to be crazy.  It wont hurt but talk to your Dr.

[my time]

You may want to first talk with your physician to see what they suggest.
I would most likely start taking them as prescribed at the end of your cycle. Then in September when it is time to take the "placebo pills" (the ones you take when your period starts), you can skip those and just start a new pack. This would cause you to skip your period all together. I have never tried this before but know people who have. However I would run this by the doc also, just to be safe.

I was also on the pill when I got married and had my period during my honeymoon, not fun at all. ; (