Why don't you have to take birth control pills for 7 days a month?

Question

i know the idea is that you are on your period at that time, but most people aren't on it for the entire 7 days...and if you miss even one day at any other time in the month it makes it work less. Also, when you first start taking them it takes a week for them to begin being fully effective. I dont understand how you can skip 7 days each month and be fine..?

Answer 1

i agree with the above answer, but not all birth control takes that long to kick in.

I'm on yaz and if you start the day you get your period, you are protected from that day forward.  If you start on the first sunday after you get your period then it takes about a week (don't remember exactly how long, it's been a while) to kick in.  

If you're worried about it, check the website of your pill or the booklet that comes with it.  

During part of those 7 days that you take the placebo pill, your body releases the uterine lining and unfertilized egg (which is what normally happens during your period).

Answer 2

First, it takes 1-2 months for oral contraceptives to kick in, so be careful!

The pill is a hormone pill, which you take to simulate your menstrual cycle without actually releasing an egg. Taking the pill doesn't just automatically prevent pregnancy, what it does is it fakes your body into thinking there's an egg in there, while still going through the motions of menstruation. Those 7 days without pills are a chance for your menstrual cycle to start over, thus you have your period. It doesn't mean you're going 7 days without "protection," it's just 7 days where you don't need those hormones.

Answer 3

It is confusing but something you need to educate yourself about. The link below should help explain how the pill works and answer some of your questions. It doesn't matter if the brand you're taking is different that the one they talk about. They basically work the same.