TAKE IT ONCE A DAY AT A TIME1
It’s the little tablet taken once a day.
There are a few different types of pill to choose from, so it’s about finding the one that’s right for you. The combined pill contains estrogen and progestin and mini pill contains only one hormone, a progestin.1
The pill can have many benefits, however remembering to take it on time is a must. The pill is only available by getting a prescription from a medical professional.1
HOW TO
The pill is an easy to use hormonal contraceptive: just swallow a tiny tablet every day. The pill works best if you take it every day on schedule, but almost everyone on the pill forgets to take it sometimes. Knowing what to do when you miss a birth control pill is important. You’ll need to know the brand name of the pill you’re on in order to use this tool. You can find the name on your pill pack or by calling your doctor or the drugstore where you got it.2
Different pills have different cycles, with some pill types you have to take hormone- free pills during the breaks to maintain continuous intake.2
PROS OF CONTRACEPTIVE PILLS
- Highly effective when used correctly1
- It’s easy to use2
- It permits sexual spontaneity and doesn’t interrupt sex1
- Some pills may reduce heavy and painful periods1
- Some pills may have a positive effect on acne1
- Easily reversed method of birth control if you hope to get pregnant3
CONS OF CONTRACEPTIVE PILLS
- No protection against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV3
*HIV : human immunodeficiency virus - Skipping pills or taking them late may reduce effectiveness3
- some women may experience depression or mood swings4
- Some women experience breast tenderness, nausea, headache, weight gain3
- Increased risk of high cholesterol, heart attack and stroke3
- Increased risk of blood clots, especially for smokers and women older than 35 years of age3
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
No, there are a few different types of pill to choose from, so it is about finding the one that is right for you. It’s important to take your tablets as directed because Forgetting to take your pill means it won’t be as effective.1
The pill is an effective way to prevent pregnancy, If you follow the instructions and use the birth control pill correctly it gives you great protection against pregnancy.5
No. The pill is a hormonal contraceptive, and your doctor will always ask about your medical history and any medications you take to determine which birth control pill is right for you.3
Combination pills contains both estrogen and progestin, the mini-pill contains only progestin. Combination pills prevent your ovaries from releasing an egg, thicken cervical mucus and thin the lining of the uterus.
All of these actions help keep sperm from joining the egg. The mini-pill slows an egg's progress through the fallopian tubes, thickens cervical mucus and thins the endometrium, all of which help prevent sperm from reaching the egg.
The mini-pill sometimes also suppresses ovulation.3
Yes, hormonal contraceptives can improve acne and hirsutism, also can help in Treatment of premenstrual syndrome, and irregular periods.6
If you decide you want to get pregnant.2 Long-term use of oral contraceptives does not hurt a woman's chances of becoming pregnant.7
You can start taking birth control pills as soon as you get them, any day of the week, and anytime during your menstrual cycle. But when you’ll be protected from pregnancy depends on when you start and the kind of pill you’re using.2
It depends on the type of pill. Combination Pills: Most of them come in 28-day or 21-day packs, take 1 pill every day for 28 days (four weeks) in a row, and then start a new pack on day 29 (in case of 28-day pack), or Take 1 pill every day for 21 days (3 weeks) in a row. Then don’t take any pills for seven days (week 4). You’ll get your period during the fourth week while you aren’t taking any pills (in case of 21- day pack). progestin- only pills: only come in 28-day packs. All 28 pills have hormones. You must take progestin-only pills within the same 3 hours every day to be protected from pregnancy.2
Women who have used [oral contraceptives, or OCs] for four years or more should be reassured because we found no evidence that long-term OC use deleteriously affects fecundability. Researchers found that long-term users of oral contraceptives, like short-term users, experienced a temporary delay in fertility, compared with those who were discontinuing barrier contraceptive methods. But also indicated that longer-term OC use was associated with a higher likelihood of pregnancy, compared with OC use for less than two years.7
*OCs : oral contraceptives
PP-PF-WHC-OC-SA-0004-1
