| How does it work? | The hormones in the pill work by preventing ovulation. If a woman doesn’t ovulate, she can’t get pregnant. |
| How do I use it? | There are a number of ways to start oral contraceptives. We usually have you start the pills on the Sunday after your normal menstrual period begins. If your period begins on Sunday, then start the pills on that Sunday. Take one pill at the same time of day, each day so you won’t forget them, even if you are not going to have sex. NEVER take a friend’s pill or someone else’s pill. If you forget one pill, take it as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until the next day, then take two pills that day. If you miss two pills, take two pills a day for two days. If you miss three or more pills, call your health care provider or clinic for instructions. |
| Pros | Highly effective method. Often reduces menstrual cramps. You may have lighter periods. The pill may protect against uterine, ovarian cancer and ovarian cysts. Some pills clear up acne. The pill might possible help prevent endometriosis — this is still being debated. |
| Cons | Condoms must be used along with the pill to offer protection from STDs. Some antibiotics interfere with the pill’s effectiveness. Always tell a health care provider that you are taking them if you are given any prescription medication. Use a back up method like condoms if you take an antibiotic while taking the pill. ASK the pharmacist if the antibiotic will interfere with the effectiveness of your pill — they know, that is their job to know about drug interactions. Don’t be afraid to ask. |
| Effectiveness | Perfect-use failure rate 0.5% Typical failure rate 2% (due to human error) |
| Side Effects | Sometimes: Weight gain, nausea, and irregular bleeding or ‘spotting’. |
If you develop spotting while starting the pill for the first time. Tell the health care provider that prescribed them. You might just need a different pill or dose.
More than eighty percent of women in the United States have taken the pill at one time in lives. It is the most frequently used form of birth control in the USA. It’s an excellent choice of birth control despite many myths that circulate about this form of contraception.
Yes, some physicians will prescibe the pill to clear up acne. It is often very effective. Talk to your health care provider about this option. See: The Pill and Your Skin.
IMPORTANT
Drug Interactions
The effectiveness of the pill is lowered when taken with several medications, including most antibiotics, anti-seizure medications, tuberculosis medication including INH, and migraine medications. St. John’s Wart also interferes with the effectiveness of the pill. You can get pregnant if you are taking any of these drugs and not using a back-up method. Make sure you tell the health care provider, or pharmacist that you are taking herbal supplements.
Since these medication may interfere with the pill, you must use a backup method of birth control during the course of your treatment. Condoms and spermicide work well. As with all drugs, it is useful to inform all your medical providers if you are using hormonal birth control, including Depo-Provera.
See:
The Pill – What We Know After 40 Years of Use! And ” Ask your health care provider about the benefits of the pill“.
