I just started taking triphasil (ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel) today. after how many pills would i be able to have unprotected sex without falling pregnant?

Depends on start: If you started the pill within 5 days of the first day of your last period, you are protected right away. If you started at any other time, you are protected after being on the pill a week (7 days). Although this is true, i still like the idea of waiting a full month after being on the pill to be the safest. See here for more info: http://bit.Ly/ssoiyu.