Birth Control

Yes, it is possible to skip or delay your period while using birth control pills. I know women who have used this method. However, you should consult your physician before trying it on your own. There are many different types of pills (brands, strengths, levels of hormones, different cycle lenghths, e.g. 21 day vs. 28 day, etc.) and I don't know if the method would work for everyone or every type of pill.

It's easy to call your doctor, clinic or local Planned Parenthood office to make it worth taking any unnecessary risks with your contraceptives.

If you are attempting to skip a cycle, you must be on a monophasic birth control pill. Monophasic pills contain the same amount of hormones in each active pill. Triphasic pills such as Ortho Tri-Cyclen contain a varying amount of hormones in each active pill. The purpose of this is to mimic a woman's natural menstrual cycle. Most women who attempt to use triphasic pills to skip cycles will have a period regardless.

If you are taking a monophasic pill correctly, the lining of your uterus does not build up, thus there is nothing to shed. The bleeding a woman experiences while taking the inactive pills of a monophasic pack is simply what we call rebound or breakthrough bleeding from the absence of hormones. Uterine lining must build up for a true menstrual period to occur.

Please discuss your options with your physician. You may not be on the correct type of pill to be attempting missed cycles.

Antibiotics inhibit the effectiveness of it.
The main ones are antibiotics, but you should check with the person prescribing the medicine as to how it will affect them. If you are prescribed medicine when your parents are there and they don't know you're taking birth control pills then you should phone the clinic who prescribed the birth control and ask them what the risks are. They'll be able to tell you.
antibiotics are a very common one that affects birth control. there might be others.
When taking birth control, women should steer clear of smoking and penicillin derived antibiotics.
antibiotics. always consult your doctor first.
The effects of birth control may be reduced for a number of reasons. You should consult with your doctor for a more complete list or an assessment of your individual risks. Here are basic factors that may reduce the effects of birth control:

1. Inconsistent use. If you do not take your pill at the same time (+/- about 4 hours is fine) or miss any days (you may miss ONE day, but must take your birth control at the exact same time every other day of the month), your risk of pregnancy increases.

2. Grapefruits. Although this may sound strange, grapefruits actually contain properties that can lower the effectiveness of birth control.

3. Antibiotics. Although a number of recent studies show that most (if not all) antibiotics actually have no effect on the efficiency of birth control, it is still advisable to use a backup method during a course of antibiotics and for at least 3 days afterwards.

they aren't!

the best and effective form of birth control is the depo shot.

you don't have to worry about taking a pill at the same time everyday, all you have to do is go in and get a shot and after 24 hours you are protected from pregnancy. then about 13 weeks later you get another shot.

the shot is effective for 3 months, then you are due for another one.

the best thing about the shot vs. the pill is you have 4 or less periods a year and it is more reliable. it is true that depo is highly effective and easy to use, but it can potentially cause side effects. unfortunately, if u do experience these side effects, you're stuck- u can't just stop taking it as u could the pill- u have to wait three months for the effects to wear off. so investigate the pros and cons carefully before u commit to having this medicine in your body for three months.
The efficacy of the birth control pill is dependent on your age, the following are key issues surrounding its use:

1. Depo provera shots should not be taken by women who may want to get pregnant in the next two years since it can affect ovulation for several months after it has been discontinued.

2. The birth control pill may not be the best method for older women, due to clotting risks.

3. Birth control pill may not work for women who tend to forget pills or who have trouble swallowing pills.

4. The IUD may not be a good choice for women who have religious beliefs preventing this type of birth control.

Please note that there is no "best" method of birth control. It is a personal choice, and the answer may depend upon a number of factors.

A pap smear and gynecological exam are not required to receive birth control. "The fact is, there isn't anything I would learn from doing a pelvic exam on a young woman that would prohibit me from offering her birth control pills," says Dr. Paul D. Blumenthal,director of contraceptive research and programsat Baltimore's Johns Hopkins University. Source: http://www.womensenews.org/story/health/040115/fewer-pelvic-exams-teens-seeking-birth-control

Also, a DNA test in lieu of an exam may be recommended based on recent findings mentioned at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/07/health/07virus.HTML

There is a lot of debate regarding the need for pap smears especially in woman who are in monogamous relationships for extended periods of time. In addition, many doctors have been pressing for young woman to receive an annual pap smear within 1 year of becoming sexually active; however, there is no need fora test so soon as cervical cancer in young woman is very unlikely (see sourced articles above). Even though the pap smear is something done routinely with many woman, it's not always necessary and you should always question the doctors regarding what risk factors are causing him/her to desire a pap smear. While it happens infrequently,individuals who were both virgins and continue to remain in a monogamous relationship have a nearly 0% chance of cervical cancer. Why does this matter? Well, you're willing to take birth control which is only 97-98% effective, your chances of getting cervical cancer would be lower than your chance of becoming pregnant in the hypothetical relationship I mentioned. I can say these relationships are possible as I am in one myself and until I went to my wifes doctors office with her, they would press for her to have anexam every time she was there. In my wifes case, we found out that her doctor was paid more for meeting quotas on pap smears which throws up many red flags.

While somewhat unrelated (but usually occurring during an exam), breast exams are now being recommended less. Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2009/11/17/DI2009111701453.HTML

You don't necessarily need a pap smear test when you ask for birth control, but some Doctors do advise that a pap test be performed but it isn't mandatory.

A pap smear and gynecological exam are not required to receive birth control. "The fact is, there isn't anything I would learn from doing a pelvic exam on a young woman that would prohibit me from offering her birth control pills," says Dr. Paul D. Blumenthal,director of contraceptive research and programsat Baltimore's Johns Hopkins University.

There is a lot of debate regarding the need for pap smears, especially in women who are in monogamous relationships for extended periods of time. In addition, many doctors have been pressing for young women to receive an annual pap smear within one year of becoming sexually active; however, there is no need for a test so soon as cervical cancer in young women is very unlikely (see sourced articles above). Even though the pap smear is something done routinely with many women, it's not always necessary, and you should always question the doctors regarding what risk factors are causing him/her to desire a pap smear. While it happens infrequently, individuals who were both virgins and continue to remain in a monogamous relationship have a nearly 0% chance of cervical cancer. Why does this matter? Well, you're willing to take birth control which is only 97-98% effective, your chances of getting cervical cancer would be lower than your chance of becoming pregnant in the hypothetical relationship I mentioned. I can say these relationships are possible as I am in one myself and until I went to my wife's doctor's office with her, they would press for her to have an exam every time she was there. In my wife's case, we found out that her doctor was paid more for meeting quotas on pap smears, which throws up many red flags.

No. The current standard of care recognizes that screening for cervical cancer and starting birth control are entirely separate issues. The Americal College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, among others, suggests that patients be started on appropriate methods of birth control, and urged to get appropriate health screening exams, but urges health professionals not to require exams for birth control prescriptions unless there are other considerations or concerns making an exam necessary.

A visit is required at least annually to get a prescription for medication that requires one. A pap smear is typically not required every year; the frequency depends on your health history. The current standard of care is to separate the pap as a requirement for birth control prescription.
No, a pap smear is just used to test for cervical dysplasia which might lead to cervical cancer.

HOW ARE YOU ON THE PATCH AND HAVE UNPROTECTED SEX?

ANSWER

You are protected from pregnancy as long as you have changed it once a week.
The patch used properly is one of the most effective reversible methods of birth control. Whether you use withdrawal is irrelevant, withdrawal is not a method of birth control.