Birth Control Pills

What is birth control pills and How does it work?

Birth control pills are generally referred to as “The Pill” which is a form of contraception that is available in small tablets that need to taken everyday. A majority of the birth control pills consist of two kinds of artificial female hormones namely estrogen and progestin. The birth control pills are called the “combination oral contraceptive”. These hormones are naturally produced in women by the ovaries.

There are various types of these combination oral contraceptives. Progestin and estrogen prevent conception by suppressing the pituitary gland which prevents the ovary from developing and releasing eggs. The progestin works as contraception by preventing the sperm from fertilizing the egg and by changing the uterus lining.

There is also a pill known as the “progestin-only pill” or “mini-pill” that prevents the sperm from getting to the female eggs and also suppress ovulation.

Which birth control pills should you take?

It is important to consult a health care professional before you start taking the birth control pills. This is an essential process to determine if it is safe for you to take the birth control pills and the ones that are suitable for you because the various types of birth control pills have varying hormone levels.

The progestin-only pill is less effective compared to the combined birth control pills but some people have a negative reaction to the estrogen that is found in the combined birth control pills therefore the progestin-only pill is a better alternative.

How effective is the birth control pills?

Birth control pills are very effective if they are taken according to the specifications that are provided. To ensure their effectiveness, you should take one pill everyday and make sure that it is taken at the same time each day. If you experience any vomiting or diarrhea or you are under any medication that can alter the pill’s effectiveness, you should make sure you use condoms as a back up contraception method.

Combination Birth Control Pills

The combination pill is over 99% effective if it is taken everyday meaning that out of every 100 women that take it each day in a year, only one will get pregnant.

While most women are aware of its effectiveness if taken everyday, it is rare to find those who follow this strictly. This is one of the reasons why it is considered to be about 95% effective. This means that out of a 100 women in one year who use the combination birth control pills without following the instructions, five or more of them will conceive.

Progestin-only Birth Control Pills

The progestin-only pill is 98% effective it taken at the same time everyday therefore out of a 100 who take these birth control pills everyday in a year, two of them will get pregnant.

In reality, most women do not take the progestin-only pill at the same time each day therefore it tends to be about 95% effective. This means that in a year, out of a 100 women who take it without following the instructions, five of them will conceive.

How effective is the birth control pills against STDs?

Birth control pills cannot be used to provide protection against any sexually transmitted diseases. To protect yourself from STDs, it is advisable to use condoms each time you have sex.

Are there any fact of medical benefits of the birth control pills?

Apart from preventing pregnancy, birth control pills also have some medical benefits. Many teenage girls use the pills for their medical benefits and not to prevent pregnancy. Some of the conditions that the teenage girls take the birth control pills for include the following:

Menstrual cramps

Girls who suffer severe menstrual cramps and do not find relief from over the counter drug, use birth control pills as a solution. This is because these birth control pills decrease the cramps because apart from preventing ovulation, the combined birth control pills also get rid of any pain that is experienced during ovulation in the middle of the menstrual cycle.

Irregular menstrual periods

Those who experience menstrual periods that come too late or too often can use birth control pills to regulate them. The birth control pills also reduce how long and how much the menstrual bleeding is.

Acne and Birth Control Pills

Acne can also be improved through the use of birth control pills. This works best for moderate to severe acne where other types of medications have failed to provide a solution. The hormones in the birth control pills prevent acne from appearing. The types of birth control pills used do not really matter since most of them can be used for acne treatment. It takes several months for the birth control pills to start working therefore you need to be patient when using them to treat acne.

Other medical benefits of Birth Control Pills

• There is less risk of becoming anemic when you are using birth control pills since there is less menstrual bleeding.
• The birth control pills reduce the chances of ovarian and endometrial cancer, breast lumps and ovarian cysts.
• Birth control pills provide protection against infections in the fallopian tubes such as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease that often requires hospitalization.
• Prevent conception from taking place outside the uterus.

Do you really need to use other forms of contraception with the birth control pilsl?

Birth control pills do not provide protection against sexually transmitted diseases therefore using a condom is very important each time you are having sex. Condoms also come in handy if you have missed two birth control pills in a row in the first month that you start taking them. They should also be used if you are under any medication that can interfere with the effectiveness of the birth control pills. If you are sick and have diarrhea or vomiting you should ensure that you use a condom as back up. When you are getting new medication, it is advisable to enquire about how it will react with you birth control method.

Where can you buy birth control pills?

Prescriptions for birth control pills are available from health care providers. Drug stores sell the birth control pills for about $15 or $50 dollars depending for a one month pack but the price generally depends on the type.

Before getting the prescription, your health care provider should check your weight, blood pressure, family health history and the form of contraception you use. A prescription for the birth control pills can only be given if they will not cause harm to your health.

Make sure you get a checkup from your health care provider after the first three months after you start taking the birth control pills. Ensure that you set your appointments to get more birth control pills before they ran out so that they are always available.

Do you have to take a pelvic exam before going on the pills?

Pelvic exams are important for teenagers but they are not necessary before you start taking birth control pills.

How to take birth control pills?

One of the easiest birth control methods is the combination birth control pills because they come in two types. The first one is a 28 day pack and the other one is a 21 day one.

28 day pack

For this pack, you will first take 21 of the active hormones and then take the 7 placebos that do not have any active hormones. The seven birth control pills are taken in the fourth week and also when you have your menstrual period. There is a type that has 26 active birth control pills that have to be taken therefore it is good to enquire from your doctor when you are getting the prescription.

21 day pack

This pack requires you to take one pill each day for 21 days but unlike the other one, it does not have placebo birth control pills to be taken on the last week during menstruation.

The progestin-only birth control pills are only available in a 28 day pack and they are all active therefore all of them need to be taken.

The instructions on the package should be followed strictly. Health care providers offer advice on how the birth control pills should be taken. The birth control pills should begin being taken on a Sunday, the day your menstrual period starts or the day you get the prescription.

If you start taking them on a Sunday, the first active pill should be taken on the Sunday after you period begins even if bleeding is still present. If the period starts on a Sunday, begin taking the birth control pills on that day. With the 28-day pack, the birth control pills should be taken each day till they run out after which another pack can be started on the day after. If it is the 21 day pack, take a pill each day until they run out and take a seven day break before you start taking birth control pills from a new pack. Another birth control method should be used during that one week break.

If you start taking the pills on the first day of your menstrual period, make sure that it is taken at the same time each day. If you begin taking them the day your period starts, you will have a period on the first and fourth week while you are taking that your first pack. After the first pack, you will only get your period during the fourth week. This means that you do not need to use an alternative contraception method because there is immediate protection from pregnancy. While this is the case, it is still advisable to use condoms.

One pill should be taken at the same time each day until the pack is finished. To make sure that you do not forget to take the birth control pills, you should take it at the same time you perform a regular activity. The most appropriate time is about half an hour after your snack or meal or just before you go to bed. Nausea is common in the first month but goes away after some time. There are some women who prefer to take the birth control pills first thing in the morning but this is more likely to cause nausea especially if you do not have breakfast.

Select a time that is appropriate for you to take the birth control pills and you can also have a reminder on your alarm or calendar. It can also work well if you keep them in your bathroom near your toothbrush to ensure that you see them daily. A sticker or reminder on the bathroom mirror and even keeping them where you keep your underwear will also work well to remind you to take them.

As soon as you finish the 28 day pack, you should start on another one the following day. No days should be skipped in between the birth control packs. This is the method that most women prefer to use for contraception since you take a pill each day making it easy.

Can you take more than 21 days of hormone pills in a row?

Some teenage girls take 42, 63 or even continuous birth control pills for PMS, cramps and convenience since there is a form of contraception that is available in a pack of 84 active pills and four placebo pills. It is important to consult your health care provider before you start taking these pills. These birth control pills usually come in one color and can cause increased spotting. Insurance companies do not usually allow the use of extra packages without any medical reasons.

What happens if you forget to take one or more birth control pills?

When you forget to take an active combination pill at the time you usually take it, you should make sure you take when you remember and take the next one when you regularly take it. Use a back up contraception method for the next seven days when you miss a pill. If you remember the next day, take two birth control pills that day.

When you miss more than one pill, you should follow the instructions provided below. In case you do not use a condom after your missed pill, consult your health care provider to get information about emergency contraception. When you miss 2 active combination birth control pills on two consecutive days during the first 2 weeks, you can take 2 birth control pills when you remember and another two on the following day. The regular schedule should be followed after this but a backup method is also necessary for seven days after the missed pills. If you do not get your period, make sure you talk to your doctor.

If 2 active combination birth control pills consecutively during the third week or if you forget to take 3 or more active combination pills consecutively in the first three weeks, you may get more than one menstrual period. It is also advisable to consult your doctor to enquire about emergency protection when this happens.

• If you started taking the pill on a Sunday, make sure you take 1 active pill each day until the following Sunday. The remaining pills should be thrown away and a new pack should be started on that same day. A back up method of contraception should be used for seven days after the missed pills.
• If you started the pill on the first day of your menstrual period, the remaining birth control pills should be discarded and a new pack started on that day. A back up method is necessary for seven days after missing your pills.

If you forget to take 1 progestin-only pill, make sure you take it when you remember. The birth control pills should be taken as usual therefore you may end up taking two pills in a day. The rest of the pack should be taken as usual with a back up contraception method for the rest of the month. The next pack should be started on time.

If you are not sure about what to do about missed birth control pills, take a pill each day until you consult your health care provider and use a back up contraception method each time you have sex. If you keep missing birth control pills, you should consider another form of birth control with help from your health care provider.

Does it mean you are pregnant if you don’t get my menstrual period while you are on “The Pill”?

This is not always the case because there are certain times when you will not get your menstrual period while you are on the pill. This is common and if you have not missed any pills and use a back up method when required, you do not have to worry when you miss your period. Make sure you begin the next pack at the time required and consult your doctor if you are still concerned about it.

If you miss your period after missing one or more of your birth control pills, you should take the rest of the birth control pills but consult a doctor to get a pregnancy test.

Incase you do not get two consecutive menstrual periods, you should see your health care provider to find out if you are pregnant even if you did not miss any pills and ensure you keep taking the rest of them.

It is common to miss your periods or experience a very light flow when you are taking birth control pills and it does not necessarily mean that there is something wrong.

What if your period is very, very light while you are taking the birth control pilsl?

Taking birth control pills can make your period very light to an extent that it appears as a brown smudge on your underwear, pad or tampon. This is because the hormone doses in the pills are too low therefore very little uterus lining build up. This means that there will be less blood each month coming out. If you have not missed your pills and have used a backup method when it was required, the light period still counts as a menstrual period.

Side effects of using the Birth Control Pills?

While most women do not suffer from any side effects when they take birth control pills, there are some who do. The side effects depend on the type of birth control method used and an individual.

Some women get nausea which can easily be dealt with if it is taken with a snack or meal just before bedtime. A pill with less estrogen can be prescribed if the nausea persists.

Another side effect that some women get when taking birth control pills is headaches. The headaches are caused by stress or other reasons which a health care provider has to confirm. For headaches, your doctor may prescribe for you birth control pills that have lower levels of estrogen or give you progestin-only birth control pills. In instances where the headaches are persistent, your health care provider may advise you to go off the birth control pills that you are using and start on another contraception method.

Mood changes are also common with birth control pills but this can be dealt with by eating a healthy diet and exercising. If they do not work, you should consider switching your birth control pills.

Generally, birth control pills can improve acne but there are women who start suffering from acne when they begin using the pill. Breasts tend to become larger or tender when birth control pills are used while some people get an increased appetite and a bloated feeling.

There are some teens that lose weight, other gain while there is no difference in others when they take birth control pills. Some of the women assume they have gained about 10 or 20 pounds after taking the birth control pills but this is often not the case. If you suspect your weight increase is as a result of taking the birth control pills, you should consult your doctor about it to have your weight checked.

To prevent any weight gain, you should make sure that you eat a healthy diet that includes about five servings of fruit and vegetables each day. It is also advisable to avoid eating fast foods and get adequate exercise but if all these fail to work, you should consult your health care provider.

Some spotting may happen during the first 3 weeks of taking the hormone birth control pills but this is nothing to worry about. It usually happens during the first 2 or 3 cycles and you should make sure that you consult your health care provider it the spotting is heavier than a light flow and if it takes more than a couple of days.

Side effects usually go away in the first three to four cycles. If you experience any, make sure you consult your doctor and if they last longer than the three weeks you may be advised to switch the birth control pills.

What if am not happy with the birth control pills that I’m taking?

If you are not happy about your birth control pills, you should consult your doctor before you stop taking them. It may be necessary to try out different types before you find one that suits you.

Risks of taking the Birth Control Pills?

Birth control pills that have estrogen make the chances of getting blood clots in the legs higher but this is less than the risk that pregnancy poses. The risk of getting blood clots is about 15-20% for women who take birth control pills compared to those who do not. The risk increases if you have a family history of blood clots and if you are a smoker.

Are there side effects I should watch out for while taking the birth control pills?

Most people do not suffer from any side effects but if you do, it is wise to consult your doctor. Some of the side effects include:

• Abdominal pain that can be severe
• Severe chest pain, coughing and shortness of breath
• Severe headaches, dizziness, weakness or numbness
• Blurred vision, eye sight loss
• Speech problems
• Severe pain on the thigh or calf

Can anybody take the birth control pills?

A majority of people can take birth control pills safely but there are those who may need to use alternatives contraceptives. This happens if you have certain conditions that make is unsafe to take birth control pills. The conditions include:

• Heart diseases
• High blood pressure
• History of blood clots
• Hepatitis
• Severe migraine headaches that cause aura or numbness and loss of speech
• Jaundice during pregnancy

Can I smoke and take birth control pills?

It is safer to take the birth control pills if you do not smoke but if you do this is a good reason to stop. Smokers who are over the age of thirty have a higher risk of getting a stroke compared to non-smokers. For teenagers who smoke, they can still take birth control pills but it is safer once they quit.

How do I talk to my parents about birth control pills?

If you decide to start taking birth control pills, it is good to inform your parents so that they may answer any concerns and questions that you have. If the birth control pills are for irregular periods, acne, or cramps, they provide a medical solution therefore you can discuss them with your parents.

If they still have concerns, you should recommend ‘Oral Contraceptive Pills and Teens: A Guide for Parents” to them. It may be difficult for you to discuss birth control pills with your parents if you intend to use them to prevent pregnancy but this will help you get assistance when you are having a difficult time in your relationship or the pills. Some teenagers prefer to keep the decision about taking the birth control pills as confidential.

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