Abstract

PIP: It is standard practice to tell women starting on the pill to begin on Day 5 after menstraution and use alternative contraception during the 1st cycle. Many do not use additional contraception and become pregnant. This could be avoided by starting them on the pill on the 1st day of the menstrual cycle. The 1st period is thus a little shorter (22 or 23 days) but this does not bother women if they are warned, and after the 2nd period the usual cycle is established. Not 1 woman on this regime has become pregnant. Also, when switching from 1 dosage to another, standard practice is to start the new pill on Day 5 and use alternative contraception in addition. Usually foam or condoms are supplied. This double expense could be avoided and the threat of pregnancy eliminated if the new pill were started immediately after the old, with no break between the preparations. Again a normal cycle is established after the 2nd package. Also, many women so dislike the additional contraception they refuse to change from a high estrogen to a low estrogen preparation. By taking 2 packages together they can avoid this problem and go on to the preferred lower dosage.