BCP question

[like-a-fishhook.livejournal.com]

I know the effectiveness of birth control pills is a topic that's been covered thoroughly in this community so forgive me for a repeat question.

I take Ocella (a generic form of Yaz, I beleive) - it's a 21/7 pill. I take my last active pill on a Saturday morning and then start a new pack the following Sunday morning.

Since technically, Sunday is the 8th day since my last active pill - does that mean I'm not protected the first 7 days of the new pack?

Not sure I've ever posted here before but just wanted to say this community has been incredibly helpful so thank you all!! :)

Comments

[dkwgdk.livejournal.com]

No, you are protected. It's the 8th day, yes, but it's designed to be that way. There are seven placebo pills and then you start taking the next active pills on day 8. I took birth control pills for several years and had lots of sex during those first weeks with no pregnancies.

I just found this site from UC Davis about missing pills, but here's the part that's most important for you: "There should be no more than 7 consecutive active pill-free days between packs." You will have -only- seven, because on day 8 you take an active pill.

Here's the site, with helpful info about what to do if you miss pills.
http://healthcenter.ucdavis.edu/topics/contraception/pill-missed.html

[like-a-fishhook.livejournal.com]

Ah. Thank you. This was sort of the answer I was hoping for.

I've been taking this pill for almost a year now - and my bf and I often have condom-less sex. Haven't had any pregnancy scares or anything but it just randomly occured to me that the timing between the 7th and 8th day seemed off so I wanted to check.

This makes me feel so much better! Thank you!

[knittinggoddess.livejournal.com]

This vulvapedia page answers your question! (http://www.vaginapagina.com/index.php?title=Hormonal_Birth_Control#Am_I_still_protected_from_pregnancy_during_my_hormone-free_week.3F) It's essential that you take that first pill on time though: accidentally extending the placebo week is a common cause of method failure.

[dkwgdk.livejournal.com]

I knew there had to be one VP but I couldn't find it. Thanks for the link!