Jane asked
I'm starting new birth control pill called Jolessa. It says to start taking it on a Sunday. My cycle comes on a Thursday not a Sunday. Do I start taking Jolessa on that Thursday of my cycle or after which is Sunday? I'm no other meds but the new birth control pill.
Answer
There are 2 options available to you in regards to how to properly start the birth control medication Jolessa. You can choose to be a 'Day One' starter or a 'Sunday' starter and we outline each of these options below.
Day 1 Starter
This is the most common way to begin taking your birth control pills. With this option, you start taking the medication on the first day of your period. Most health care practitioners will say that you do NOT need to use a back-up contraceptive method if you are a 'Day 1" starter. Your medication comes labeled with the days of the week above the rows of pills. There should be additional stickers that come with your prescription to change the order of the days on your package to accurately reflect what day you started the pills to assist you in keeping track.
Sunday Starter
With this option, you begin taking the medication on the Sunday after your period starts. So if your period starts on a Thursday, you would begin taking the pills on that Sunday. If you are a Sunday starter, you typically are not protected from pregnancy the first week and it is absolutely recommended that you use another method of birth control (such as condom) as a back-up method if you are sexually active from the Sunday you start your the medication until the next Sunday.
I recommend speaking to your doctor regarding what option is best for you. Your doctor might prefer one method over the other and it is something you can discuss to find what the most appropriate option may be.
