Although women have traditionally started birth control pills on the first day of their period or on the Sunday after the start of their period, Planned Parenthood notes that it is now acceptable to begin taking the pill at any time during the menstrual cycle. Women interested in starting birth control should talk to a doctor about which day might work best for them.
Step 1
Make a doctor's appointment. This not only allows women to obtain the required prescription, but also allows them to discuss questions or concerns about the medication. Women planning to start taking the pill after menstruation or towards the middle or end of the cycle should get permission from a doctor first, suggests Dr. Marjorie Greenfield, a contributor to DrSpock.com.
Step 2
Compare different start date options. Four different start date options are available. The same day start option instructs women to begin taking the pill on the first day of their period, while the Sunday start option has women begin taking the pill on the Sunday following their first day of menstrual bleeding. The day five plan instructs women to begin taking the pill five days after their period begins. Finally, the quick start option allows women to start the pill whenever she would like, regardless of her menstrual cycle dates.
Step 3
Select a start date. If a doctor has given permission to start at any time, the exact start date is simply a matter of personal preference. Factors that may influence when a woman wishes to begin her birth control pills might include how long it will take to discontinue a current birth control method, when the woman plans to become sexually active, upcoming events or trips, insurance availability or financial factors.
Step 4
Learn when the start date requires a backup method of birth control. Combination birth control medications, those that contain both estrogen and progestin, do not require a backup birth control if taken within five days of the start of a period. Starting a package of combination birth control pills at any other time, however, requires the use of a backup method of birth control for seven days. Progestin-only birth control pills require a backup method of birth control for 48 hours regardless of which day a woman begins taking the medication, explains Planned Parenthood.
Step 5
Start taking the pill each day at the same time. Taking a pill even a few hours late can lessen the effectiveness of the medication, so always take the pill at the same time each day. Incorporating taking the pill into a morning or bedtime routine may help women remember to take it on time.
Tips and Warnings
- All women taking birth control to prevent pregnancy should have a backup method of birth control readily available at all times. Missing a pill, taking certain medications or getting the stomach flu are just a few things that may decrease the effectiveness of the pill and may require a backup method of birth control.
- Women who are breastfeeding or those who have recently given birth or had an abortion or miscarriage should talk to a doctor about when it is safe to start taking birth control.
