Procedure for starting the contraceptive pill

kaki

Hope this is the right place for this - it's not medical advice I'm looking for, just the procedure...

Basically, I'm from Cork, 20, and I moved to Turin this September to study for a degree in Graphic Design (3 years).

My boyfriend of a year will be moving over at the start of December, and this is the impetus for me wanting to go on the Pill (we have just used condoms for this year, and I'm beginning to realise in hindsight this was a bit irresponsible.

In any case, having looked into the procedure for me to start the contraceptive pill here, they require that first you go to a gynecologist, then go to the hospital to take bloods (which take a month to come back) and then go back to the original gynecologist who will then prescribe the pill. All of this, if I start the ball rolling on Monday, would mean that I might be able to start the pill at the start of December. Alternatively to this, I was thinking perhaps of waiting till I head back to Ireland for Christmas (from the 19th of December to the 6th of January) and just using condoms for the 2 weeks that my boyfriend and I are living together at the start of December.

Do you know, will the 2 weeks that I'll be back home in Ireland over Christmas be enough? Does an GP take bloods that they have to process before prescription? And also, up to how many months can you fill out the prescription for at a time (I'm thinking that I'll be in Italy then from January until July, all things going to plan).


Sorry if it's a bit long, but any advice appreciated - I'm spending more time studying contraception and the Italian health system atm than Graphic Design

LegacyUser

your GP will take your blood pressure and weight, ask you some medical history questions and likley prescribe the pill on th spot.

you'll prob only get a 6month prescription, usually you need a check up every 6 months while youre on the pill.

If you're planning on staying in italy long term then it's prob worth doing it their way.

Lollipops23

kyclyrdcy wrote: »

y
you'll prob only get a 6month prescription, usually you need a check up every 6 months while youre on the pill.

On my first visit, he only prescribed 3 mths worth, to make sure I responded ok to it.All subsequent visits I got 6mths worth!

OP I'd recommend using extra protection for at least 8 weeks (2packs). Although it's always smart to double up all the time!

Nevyn

I have never heard of anyone in this country having to have a blood test before being prescribed the oral contraceptive pill as a matter of course, if there are additional medical issues or red flags in the family history but not as a standard proceedure.

If you are considering not using condoms with your partner you should both get an sti screening beforehand.

fend

You as best of waiting to come home to get it...

Doctor will check you weight and blood pressure, and write you a prescription... You can request up to 6months if the 3 months is not enough for you. I'd advise getting them all in one at the pharmacy rather than going back monthly for them. That way you have a 6 month supply with you in Turin. Worry Free.

After 6months, it is advised to go back to doctor for a check up, ie: blood pressure again etc.

Only flaw with this is, some pills react different with different people. Microlite being the lowest dose is the one most people choose because it has such a low dose of progesterone so it is less likely to have any problems such as swollen or tender breasts, fluid retention, raging hormones.

Worst case scenario is being stuck with 6 months worth of Dianette or Yasmin or watever pill, and having reacted badly to it with the above symptoms...

kaki

That's great, exactly what I needed to know, thanks guys.

Re: the sti screening, my boyfriend was my first sexual partner, and he got screened before we started sleeping together (and was clean).

And actually, doubling up isn't a bad idea at all.

St James

would you consider the implant instead? Inserted by GP and lasts for three years.

The doubling up would also be reccomended as there is responsibility on both then, with the 'insurance' so to speak of the other!

nools79

Another point to note is that you have to start your first packet of the pill on day one of your cycle, so you most likely will not be able to start your new meds just as soon as they're prescribed to you. Also if your doctor is putting you on Microlite, you should ask him to prescribe Leonore which is the Irish generic version - exactly the same medication but cheaper. There is a generic available for one other pill (Estelle is the same as the original Minulet) but in my experience neither are used very much any more.

Victor

Lollipops23 wrote: »

OP I'd recommend using extra protection for at least 8 weeks (2packs). Although it's always smart to double up all the time!

What?

Sure, definitely use two different types of contraception, but don't use two contraceptive pills a the same time and don't use two condoms at the same time.

daveharr23

anyone any idea how much it is a month typically?

sam34

Victor wrote: »

What?

Sure, definitely use two different types of contraception, but don't use two contraceptive pills a the same time and don't use two condoms at the same time.

i'd say you misread her post. i presume (hope!) she means that for the first 8 weeks [ie 2 pill packs duration, ie {3 weeks on pill + one pill-free week} x2] that the op should use condoms also, particularly if she does not start the pill on day one of her cycle.

MissFlitworth

Victor wrote: »

What?

Sure, definitely use two different types of contraception, but don't use two contraceptive pills a the same time and don't use two condoms at the same time.

8 weeks is 2 packs of the pill Doubling up is condom & pill at the same time

LegacyUser

Daveharr - it depends on the pill that you're on. I filled my 6 month prescription for marviol today for €32.34 - so it works out at about €5.50 a month. I know there are other pills that can be up to €17 a month.

daveharr23

thank god its not for me, its the girlfriend, thinkin of the bar and trying to figure out which is cheaper, i argue the bar is 100 euro for three years. cant see how she could go wrong with that, especially when her doctor told her cos she has gotten migrains in the recent past the pill could make that worse.

LegacyUser

When you start the pill on day 1 of your period, does it then make your period go away for the rest of that month or at least delay it??

Elbi

Sorry not meaning to hijack OPs thread but just a quick question.
Is it true that if you are overweight they doctor will not perscribe the pill to you?
its just my friend went to the doctor and he wouldnt give it to her untill she lost weight, im about the same weight as her but am on the pill for years, i came off it recently but want to go back on it and im afraid thwe doc wont give it to me now.

shellyboo

Elbi wrote: »

Sorry not meaning to hijack OPs thread but just a quick question.
Is it true that if you are overweight they doctor will not perscribe the pill to you?
its just my friend went to the doctor and he wouldnt give it to her untill she lost weight, im about the same weight as her but am on the pill for years, i came off it recently but want to go back on it and im afraid thwe doc wont give it to me now.

Some pills have reduced effectivity on people over a certain BMI - definitely ask your doctor when you go in. My own GP says it wouldn't be safe to put me on the regular pill because I wouldn't be 100% protected, but she gave me other options such as the injection, the ring, and the IUS.

symbolwoman

daveharr23 wrote: »

anyone any idea how much it is a month typically?

Paid 106 for 6 months on mercilon
50 for the doctor and 56 for 6 months of pills

daveharr23

not being a woman the names mean nothig to me, how much is the mini pill(i cant say i know the name of it bt i hope that narrows it down) as a woman what do ye think of the bar, i'd imagine its kind of daunting having to think of a big metal bar been implanted into your body...

Nevyn

The prices of the different prescriptions vary , there are several types of minipill.

Also the implannon bar is not a metal bar but a small plasic bar shaped inplant.

http://www.implanon.co.uk/1/What-is-Implanon

What is Implanon (etonogestrel)?

Implanon is a contraceptive implant that consists of a single, small, white to off-white, flexible rod that is inserted just under the skin on the inside of the upper arm. The implant is approximately 40 mm long and 2 mm wide (about the same size as a hairgrip or a matchstick).

daveharr23

thanks thaedydal that doesn seem so invasive anymore, feel so out of my depth!