Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
Birth Control Pills
DESCRIPTION
Combination oral contraceptives (birth control pills)
contain two female hormones: estrogen and progesterone.
Taking one of these pills every day prevents the normal
release of an egg from the ovary each month. If an egg is
not released, a woman cannot become pregnant.
TYPES OF BIRTH CONTROL PILLS
There are many types of birth control pills. Your physician
will prescribe the type that seems best for you. You must
follow the directions your physician gives you for taking
the pills. (There are different directions for different
types of pills.) The following types of pills are the two
most commonly used.
- 28-day pills, Sunday start
- Begin your first pack of pills by taking the first
pill on the first Sunday after your menstrual period
begins (even if you are still menstruating).
- Continue taking one pill every day. When you have
taken the last pill in the pack (on a Saturday),
start a new pack the next day (Sunday). Do NOT skip
any days between packs.
- Your period should start during the last week of each
pack of pills.
- 28-day pills, day 1 start
- Begin your first pack on the first day of your
period.
- Continue taking one pill every day. When you have
taken the last pill in the pack, start a new pack the
next day. Do NOT skip any days between packs.
- Your period should start during the last row of pills
in each pack that you take.
Take the birth control pill prescribed by your physician.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION IF YOU ARE TAKING BIRTH CONTROL PILLS
- Try to take your pill at the same time every day. This
will help you remember to take the pills. It will also
help keep hormone levels steady.
- Use a backup method of birth control (such as condoms
and spermicide) until you have been taking the pills for
2 weeks.
- Your risk of pregnancy increases when you miss any
pills.
If you forget one pill, take it as soon as you remember,
even if it is the next day. Take the next pill on time.
If you miss two pills, take two pills daily for two
days. Then take one pill a day. Use an additional
method of contraception (condoms, spermicide) until your
next period starts.
If you miss three or more pills in a row, stop taking
your pills and use other birth control methods until
your next menstrual cycle starts. If your menstrual
cycle doesn't start as scheduled, check with your health
care provider.
- Use condoms, even though you are taking birth control
pills, for protection against sexually transmitted
disease until you have a long-term, single-partner
relationship.
- If you have bleeding between periods for several cycles
you may need a different pill. Call your physician for
an appointment.
- Periods tend to be shorter and lighter while you are
taking birth control pills.
- If you miss your period completely and have not missed
any pills, continue taking your pills. If you have
missed any pills or have missed two periods in a row,
you may be pregnant. Do not start a new pack until you
have a pregnancy test.
- Any time you are seen for medical reasons, be sure to
mention that you are taking birth control pills. This
is particularly important if you are admitted to the
hospital or having surgery.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF BIRTH CONTROL PILLS
- Advantages
- Birth control pills are 99 percent effective in
preventing pregnancy.
- The hormones in the pills may offer protection
against fibrocystic breast disease, fibroadenomas of
the breast, ovarian cysts, cancer of the uterus, and
pelvic inflammatory disease (an infection of the
female reproductive system).
- The pills usually have no side effects.
- Periods become regular and usually shorter, and
menstrual cramps may be less severe.
- This method of birth control does not require
planning at the time of sexual activity.
- Disadvantages
- The hormones in the pills have some rare but
potentially serious side effects. These side effects
include high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack,
blood clot, liver problems, and worsening of
headaches. These side effects are most common among
women over 35 years old.
- Women who smoke have an increased risk of side
effects, particularly after age 30.
- Birth control pills cannot be taken by all women, for
example, if they have cardiovascular disease, breast
cancer, or liver disease.
- A woman has to remember to take a pill every day and
must carry pills with her when she is away from home.
- This method of birth control provides no protection
against sexually transmitted disease.
- The pills are one of the more expensive methods of
birth control.
CALL YOUR PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY IF YOU HAVE:
- pain, swelling, and redness in the calf of one of your
legs
- shortness of breath, sharp chest pain, or coughing up
blood
- blurred vision or slurred speech
- severe headaches
- severe abdominal pain.
CALL YOUR PHYSICIAN DURING OFFICE HOURS IF YOU HAVE:
- jaundice (yellow eyes and skin)
- numbness or tingling
- increasing headaches
- severe mood changes.
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