Hi

I take the contraceptive pill Levlen, which is the 28-day packet, containing 7 'sugar' pills.

Just wondering, because the doctors say when you first start taking this it takes a few weeks for the contraceptive to be fully effective so you should use condoms, but does this also occur after taking the 'sugar' tablets?

I mean, do taking the 'sugar' tablets destroy the effectivness of the Pill or does the contraceptive component start working immediately after you start taking the yellow tablets again? And is there any contraceptive component to the 'sugar' tablets or when you take them does that mean you have no protection against falling pregnant?

Confused :confused:

Hi Star

Now its my turn to help YOu out!

OK. The 7 sugar pills are just sugar. They are so that your body goes into 'withdrawal' from the contraceptive and you have a period. Without the break from the contraceptive pills your body wouldn't have a change in hormone levels and you wouldn't bleed. Although some women have spotting or a little bleed without taking the 7 day break.

What happens is - and I'm not a doctor so double check, OK! - the contraceptive works by making your body think its pregnant. You don't release an egg, your lining doesn't become suitable to house an embryo and a couple for other preggie features as well. Read the little booklet that comes with the pack if there is one.

They say use condoms for the first while to double up because for some women it takes a while for their hormones to properly adjust to the medication. It takes longer for the pill to trick them! So DO be careful, DO keep an eye on your body and how you feel. I tried 3 different types of pill before realising they just weren't for me. But that's just me.

Hope you have a good dopc to refer to!

For all the information on contraceptives go on the link below,


http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic3211.htm

Cheers :)