HBC and Ovulation Pain

[bainne-der.livejournal.com]

Hi everyone - I've lurked here for a couple of months, and am now coming out of hiding with a question of my own.

I just started using HBC (my first pill was 3 hours ago), and the switch from a barrier method is going to be a little weird for me to get used to. I know statistically HBC is much more effective than condoms (at preventing pregnancy - I've been in a monogamous relationship for the past 3.5 years, and there's no STI concern). But at the same time, a major condom failure would be evident fairly immediately (as in breakage and subsequent need for EC), while HBC seems (to me) to be much more of a wait a couple of weeks and see kind of thing. I know I'm not going to be fully okay with it until I make it through a month smoothly. But I had a question that might be able to put me at ease a little sooner.

I get ovulation pains every month. Since HBC is supposed to stop ovulation in the first place (along with changing cervical mucous to prevent sperm from getting in, and changing the uterine lining so a fertilized egg wouldn't implant), I was wondering if not getting an ovulation pain as scheduled would be a good indicator that the pill is working? Or would the anticipated couple of months of my body getting adjusted to the pill prevent this being a useful predictor? Granted, I'm a Sunday start and not a Day 1 start, so that will probably shift ovulation (or lack thereof, hopefully) later than it would have normally happened... I'm new to this whole thing so what seems to make sense to me may not actually make much sense...

If it's relevant at all, I was prescribed Estrostep (aka Norethindrone Acetate and Ethinyl Estradiol - taking Organic Chemsistry has even prompted me to look up their chemical structures on the FDA website).

Your advice and own experiences are much appreciated, especially after reading the looong post. This is such a fantastic community and resource! Thanks!

Comments

[evilpinkbear.livejournal.com]

Off topic, but I was scrolling through the vp pages and listening to "Untitled" by Interpol, and your icon jumps exactly in time to that song. I sat and watched it for maybe 5 minutes, completely enthralled. (yes, i put the song on repeat, just to watch it more)

[bainne-der.livejournal.com]

Haha I would have done the same.

[josiethefiend.livejournal.com]

I'm afraid I, too, am just commenting on your icon. I don't have any helpful information.

Your icon is amazing! Where did it come from?

[bainne-der.livejournal.com]

I reciprocate the icon love!
I honestly have no idea where it came from. My little brother sent it to me in an IM a long long time ago, and from whence it came, I do not know. But what I do know is that if you're bored, and set it as your desktop (tiled), it's pretty amazing.

[smallstar.livejournal.com]

The pill is designed to prevent ovulation, and that includes your very first month on the pill. Of course, I can't tell for sure whether the pains you associate with ovulation are actually from ovulation or not, but assuming they are, you shouldn't get them while on the pill.