Birth-control Pills

How do birth-control pills work?

Birth-control pills contain hormones that prevent pregnancy. Combination pills contain the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. The "mini-pill" contains only progesterone. Birth-control pills: 1) prevent eggs from being released from the ovaries, 2) change the mucus in the cervix so sperm cannot easily enter the uterus, and/or 3) thin the lining of the uterus so the eggs cannot easily attach and stay inside the uterus.

What are some advantages of birth-control pills?

  • Birth-control pills are very effective compared to other methods (see chart below).
  • Birth-control pills do not interrupt sex, like some other methods.
  • Your periods will be regular, lighter, and usually less painful.
  • Birth-control pills might reduce your risk of cancer of the uterus and ovaries.
  • Birth-control pills might reduce your risk of cysts in the ovaries and ectopic pregnancies.

What are some disadvantages of birth-control pills?
  • You have to remember to take your pills at the same time every day.
  • You might have weight gain, breast swelling, depression or headaches.
  • You might have very light periods or no periods at all.
  • Your blood pressure might increase.
  • If you are over 35 and smoke, you have a small chance of getting blood clots in your legs or having a heart attack or stroke.
  • Birth-control pills do not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases or HIV or AIDS.

What are other forms of birth control besides birth-control pills?

Birth-control method

Pregnancy rate per year if used correctly

Typical pregnancy rate per year

Norplant (capsules under the skin)

2 in 1000

2 in 1000

Depo-provera ("the shot")

3 in 1000

3 in 1000

Female Sterilization (tubes tied)

2 in 1000

2 in 1000

Male Sterilization (vasectomy)

1 in 1000

1 in 1000

Birth-control Pills -- combination pills

1 in 1000

3 in 100

Birth-control Pills -- mini-pill

5 in 1000

3 in 100

IUD - "Copper T"

8 in 1000

3 in 100

Condoms

2 in 100

12 in 100

Diaphragm or Cervical Cap

6 in 100

18 in 100

Withdrawal

4 in 100

18 in 100

No Birth-control Method

85 in 100

85 in 100

 

 

 

How to take your birth-control pills  

__________________________ has given you ______________________________________.

Take one pill every day starting __________________________________________________.

Take your pills at the same time every day. Many women take their pills right before going to bed or first thing in the morning.  

Your period will start during the fourth week of pills. Start a new pack of pills when you finish your old pack of pills, even if you are still having your period.

If you take antibiotics you need to use condoms during the month you take the antibiotics.

Call the clinic if you have any side effects that worry you.

Call the clinic if you have forgotten to take your pills and think you might be pregnant.

 

 

 

What if I forget to take a pill?  

If you forget to take one or more pills, you might start your period or you might get pregnant!  

  • If you forget to take one pill, take it as soon as you remember and take the next pill at your regular time.
  • If you forget to take two pills in a row, take two pills each day for two days then return to your regular schedule.
  • If you forget to take three pills in a row, stop taking your pills and use another form of birth control until your next period starts. Start a new pack of pills the first day of your period.
  • If you forget to take two or more pills and then miss your period, you might be pregnant. Stop taking your pills and use another form of birth control until you are sure you are not pregnant.
 

Call the clinic if you have any questions.