Nishmat's Women’s Health and HalachaIn memory of Chaya Mirel bat R' Avraham

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When to start pills before wedding?

24 January, 2011
Question:

Hi,

I was wondering when the appropriate time is to start taking birth control pill to regulate your period for your wedding. I am getting married in four months and wanted to know by when I should begin so as not to run into issues by that date.

Thanks for your help


Answer:

Mazal tov!

A woman who plans to use oral contraceptives after her wedding should try to begin taking them three (or more) cycles in advance. This allows time to adjust to the pill and to modify her cycle as necessary.

The usual goal for timing is to have the last active pill timed for a night after the wedding.  This allows the time of separation after the first act of relations to overlap with time spent in niddah.  It also allows the couple some leeway in case it takes longer than expected to have a successful act of relations. If necessary, the kallah can continue to take active pills until they have had full relations.

There are other more short-term alternatives available that may be more attractive to a woman not planning on using a contraceptive after the wedding.

It would be a good idea to get in touch with a kallah teacher now to work out the dates and reserve time for classes. She can help you figure out how your planned date fits into your natural cycle to see if hormonal regulation is needed at all. All decisions about using hormones should be made with your physician to make sure that you do not have medical issues that place you at greater than average risk for the use of such medication.

Please feel free to get back to us with any further questions.

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