the use of another form of birth control, such as condoms and foam, during the first month. After the first month, you can just use the pill for birth control.
What If I Forget to Take a Birth Control Pill?
If you forget to take a birth control pill, take it as soon as you remember. If you don’t remember until the next day, go ahead and take two pills that day. If you forget to take your pills for two days, take two pills the day you remember and two pills the next day. You will then be back on schedule. If you miss more than two pills, call your doctor. You may be told to take one pill daily until Sunday and then start a new pill pack or to discard the rest of the pill pack and start over with a new pack that same day.
Any time you forget to take a pill, you must use another form of birth control until you finish the pill pack. When you forget to take a pill, you increase the chance of releasing an egg from your ovary. However, if you forget to take any of the last seven out of the 28-day pills, you will not raise your chance of pregnancy since these pills contain only inactive ingredients. If you miss your period and have forgotten to take one or more active pills, get a pregnancy test. If you miss two periods even though you have taken all your pills on schedule, you should get a pregnancy test.
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Are There Side Effects of Birth Control Pills?
Yes, there are side effects of birth control pills, and the majority of them, including the ones below, aren’t serious:
- Nausea
- Weight gain
- Sore or swollen breasts
- Small amount of blood, or spotting, between periods
- Lighter periods
- Mood changes
Some birth control pill side effects, however, are much more serious. If you experience any of these, contact your doctor immediately. If you cannot reach your doctor, go to an emergency room or urgent care center for evaluation. These symptoms may indicate a serious disorder, such as liver disease, gallbladder disease, stroke, blood clots, high blood pressure, or heart disease, including:
- Abdominal pain (stomach pain)
- Chest pain
- Headaches (severe)
- Eye problems (blurred vision)
- Swelling and/or aching in the legs and thighs
Can Any Woman Take Birth Control Pills?
Birth control pills can be taken safely by most women, but are not recommended for women who are over the age of 35 and smoke. If you don’t smoke, you can use hormonal contraceptives until menopause. In addition, you should not take hormonal contraceptives if you have had:
- Blood clots in the arms, legs, and lungs
- Serious heart or liver disease
- Cancer of the breast or uterus
If you are not sure if you are affected by one of these conditions, ask your doctor. Also, inform your doctor if you have a first-degree relative (parent, brother, sister, child) who has had blood clots in the legs or lungs.
Is it OK to Take Other Drugs While Taking Birth Control Pills?
Some drugs can reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. Tell your doctor about all of the medicines and over-the-counter agents (including herbs) that you are taking.
Points to Keep in Mind When Taking Birth Control Pills
- Keep another form of birth control, like spermicidal foam and condoms, on hand in case you forget to take a pill.
Carry your pills with you if you don’t always sleep at the same place. - Take your pill at the same time every day. If you are using the patch, replace your patch weekly on the same day. If you are using the vaginal ring, remove it after three weeks of use.
- Get your refills soon after you start the last prescription. Don’t wait until the last minute to request refills.
- Birth control pills, patches, and vaginal rings are all medications. Always tell your doctor or pharmacist you are on the pill, patch, or vaginal ring if you see him or her for any reason.
Questions To Ask Before Going On The Pill
- Are you the type of person who can remember to take a pill every day? (Oral contraceptives are only effective when taken consistently.)
- Will you consider also using condoms?
- Why are you looking to take birth control pills? Primarily to prevent pregnancy or to find relief from endometriosis or severe premenstrual syndrome?
- Are you a smoker?
- Will occasional spotting and bleeding bother you or interfere with your sex life?
- Do you have high blood pressure?
- Are you prone to anxiety attacks or hypertension?
- Will taking birth control pills decrease the effectiveness of any medications you are taking or will any medication you are on decrease the effectiveness of your birth control pills?
- Oral contraceptives are an effective method of preventing pregnancy, but birth control pills aren’t appropriate for every woman. Talk to your doctor about all of your birth control options to determine which method is right for you.