when to start the pill?

[midnite]

Hi Dr Redmond,

I've read your book and found it to be very helpful in understanding my hairloss. I'm ready to back on birth control pills after having some problems with it a few months ago with side effects.

Since I'll be using it for my hair/acne, can I start the pill anytime on my cycle or do I have to wait until my next period?

Thanks for your advice!

[Geoffrey Redmond, MD, FACE]

Hi Dr Redmond,

I've read your book and found it to be very helpful in understanding my hairloss. I'm ready to back on birth control pills after having some problems with it a few months ago with side effects.

Since I'll be using it for my hair/acne, can I start the pill anytime on my cycle or do I have to wait until my next period?

Thanks for your advice!

The instructions for starting birth control pills are designed so that it will work for birth control the first month. I generally recommend start on day 1 or 2 of the period. It can be started at other times of the cycle but anyone who is sexually active it is safest to wait until the period. Even if someone is using other contraception, no method is foolproof and the only way to be sure there is no pregnancy is to wait for a normal period.

If the pill is started at other times, it will not work for birth control until the second pack.