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Thanks again for all this extremely useful and informative info Brandye.
I've decided to try the combined pill after all, as I can't keep taking EC whenever I'm worried that things have got a bit too fruity (especially as it seems to have totally messed up my menstrual cycle & consequently I have no idea when I am next due on - or even if I'm pregnant).
I went to a Family Planning Clinic today and was given Microgynon 30 to try. The lady I spoke to did not seem very knowledgable and could not answer some of my questions. She said that I should start taking the pill on the first day of my next period (if it ever arrives!) and that if I do so, I will be protected with immediate effect.
Question 1)
I said that if I want to take the pill at 7am and my period starts e.g. at noon the day before, should I take a tablet at noon that day & then start taking them at 7am every day from then onwards, or just not take one at all on the first day of my period? She didn't seem to know a) whether I would be protected b) which would be the correct thing to do.
Question 2)
I've seen your list of drugs that could affect the efficacy of the pill, and was wondering if you know whether echinacea possibly interferes with the pill? (I like to take echinacea 8 weeks on, 4 weeks off, to boost my immune system.) The nurse said she had no idea whether or not echinacea affects the pill, but suggested that if I was worried, I should always use condoms as well. I did not find this helpful, as I don't want to pump all these drugs into my body, if the likelihood is that they are not doing what they are supposed to (i.e. prevent pregnancy) anyway!
Overall, I was very disappointed by the whole experience - it's hardly surprising that so many women don't know how to take the pill properly, when the advice that they get from nurses' etc. is minimal/incomplete.
Could you - or anyone who knows the answers - please advise me on the above two questions? Many thanks.
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