Taking Loestrin

The combined contraceptive pill is an oral medication and Loestrin is a monophasic 21-day pill, meaning that every pill contains the same amount of hormones within it. When prescribed either of the two types of Loestrin, you will be given a pack that contains strips of pills, each containing 21-pills.

The best time to start taking Loestrin is on the first day of your period. If you start at this time or any time in the next five days, you will be protected from pregnancy straight away and will need no additional contraception. However, you can start the contraceptive pill whenever you want to but you need to make sure you are not pregnant, as no contraceptive pill should be taken if you are. If you start any time after the five days since the start of your period, you will not be immediately protected from pregnancy and you will need to use an extra method of contraception for the next seven days. The pill will become effective after this time as your menstrual cycle gets used to it.

You should take the pill that corresponds with the day of the week you are on and then take one pill every day, following the arrows around the strip. You must take the pill at the same time every day in order for it to be truly effective so pick a time that is the most convenient when you will remember to take it.  A lot of women choose the morning or late evening when they can work taking the pill into a daily routine such as brushing their teeth. It is a good idea to set an alarm to remind you to take the contraceptive pill at the right time.

When you have finished the strip of pills, you then stop taking the contraceptive pill for seven days. During this time, your body will have what is called a withdrawal bleed, which is very similar to a period. However, as the pill has thinned your uterus wall, the bleed may be lighter and shorter, not to mention less painful. Sometimes, you may experience irregular bleeding during the first couple of months of use. If this persists tell your doctor but it is normal to experience this when you first start taking Loestrin.

On the eighth pill free day, you need to start taking the next strip of pills. You must not leave the pill free gap any longer than seven days and if you do you will not be protected from pregnancy. You must start the next strip, even if you are still experiencing a withdrawal bleed. Remember, the worst pill to miss in the pack is the first one so make sure you remember to start taking the pill again.

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