How to Correct Oral Contraceptive Start Date After Delay?

The oral contraceptive was not started on the fifth day?

If you started taking the oral contraceptive pill (21-day regimen) on the third day after your period ended, you do not need to adjust your start day to the fifth day of your next cycle.
Instead, you can continue taking the pills as prescribed, completing the 21-day course.

After finishing the 21 pills, you should take a break for 7 days (during which you will likely have your withdrawal bleed).
On the eighth day, you can start your next pack of pills, regardless of the day of your cycle.
This means you will continue taking the first pill of the new pack on the same day of the week you started the first pack, maintaining consistency in your schedule.

If you have any concerns or specific questions about your contraceptive method, it's always best to consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice.

yu, 30~39 year old female. Ask Date: 2017/09/20

Dr. Huang Jianzhong reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

If you started taking the oral contraceptive pill (21-day regimen) on the third day after your period instead of on the first day of your period, you do not need to adjust to starting on the fifth day of your next cycle after finishing the 21 pills.
For this month, you can continue as planned and observe your menstrual cycle without making any adjustments.

Reply Date: 2017/09/20

More Info

When starting oral contraceptives, timing is crucial for ensuring their effectiveness. In your case, since you began taking the pill on the third day after your period ended, you may have some adjustments to consider for future cycles.
Typically, oral contraceptives are most effective when started on the first day of your menstrual cycle. However, starting the pill at a different time can still be effective, but it may require additional precautions. Since you started taking the pill after your period, you should continue taking the pills as prescribed for the full 21 days.
After completing your current pack, you do not necessarily need to adjust your start date to the fifth day of your cycle. Instead, you can continue taking the next pack starting from the day you finish the current one. This means if you finish your 21 pills, you would start the next pack the day after, regardless of your menstrual cycle phase.
However, it is essential to understand that if you start the pill after your period, you may not be fully protected against pregnancy for the first seven days of taking the pill. Therefore, it is advisable to use a backup method of contraception, such as condoms, during this initial week to ensure you are protected.

If you want to align your start date with the first day of your menstrual cycle for future packs, you can do so by skipping the placebo pills (if your pack includes them) and starting the next pack immediately after finishing the active pills. This way, you can adjust your cycle to start the pill on the first day of your next period.

In summary, you do not need to correct your start date to the fifth day of your cycle. Just continue with your current regimen, and if you wish to align your start date in the future, consider starting the next pack immediately after finishing the current one. Always consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice and to ensure that you are using the contraceptive method effectively. They can provide guidance tailored to your specific health needs and circumstances.
In addition, it is important to keep track of your menstrual cycle and any side effects you may experience while on the pill. If you have any concerns about irregularities or side effects, do not hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider for further evaluation and support.

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