#SIDE EFFECTS OF BIRTH CONTROL HOW TO#

Get advice from a doctor or nurse if you need it. The guidance may also be different if you have a short menstrual cycle. There is special guidance if you have just had a baby, abortion or miscarriage. You can normally start taking the pill at any point in your menstrual cycle. For more information speak to a doctor or nurse. This may include taking the pill for 21 days and stopping for 4, or taking the pill continuously without a break. You can also take the combined pill as a tailored regime. Start your next pack of pills after you have finished the 1st pack, whether you are still bleeding or not.During the 7 days of taking the inactive pills, you will get a bleed.Continue to take a pill every day, in the correct order and preferably at the same time each day, until the pack is finished (28 days).Take the 1st pill from the section of the packet marked 'start'.This should be the same day of the week as when you took your 1st pill. Start your next pack of pills on the 8th day, whether you are still bleeding or not.Stop taking pills for 7 days (during these 7 days you will get a bleed).Continue to take a pill at the same time each day until the pack is finished.Take your 1st pill from the packet marked with the correct day of the week, or the 1st pill of the 1st colour (phasic pills).

#SIDE EFFECTS OF BIRTH CONTROL HOW TO#

How to take 21-day pills - standard regime It's important to take the pills as instructed, because missing pills or taking them at the same time as certain medicines may make them less effective. If you have any questions, ask a doctor, nurse or pharmacist. Microgynon ED is an example of this type of pill.įollow the instructions that come with your packet.

Every day pills need to be taken in the right order. One pill is taken each day for 28 days with no break between packets of pills.

There are 21 active pills and 7 inactive (dummy) pills in a pack. Logynon is an example of this type of pill. Phasic pills need to be taken in the right order. One pill is taken each day for 21 days and then no pills are taken for the next 7 days. Each section contains a different amount of hormones. Phasic pills contain 2 or 3 sections of different coloured pills in a pack. Microgynon, Marvelon and Yasmin are examples of this type of pill. Each pill has the same amount of hormone in it. There are many different brands of pill, made up of 3 main types: Monophasic 21-day pills Other methods of contraception are better at preventing pregnancy, such as the IUD, IUS, implant and injection. The pill is over 99% effective if used correctly. thins the lining of the womb, so there is less chance of a fertilised egg implanting into the womb and being able to grow.thickens the mucus in the neck of the womb, so it is harder for sperm to penetrate the womb and reach an egg.The pill prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg each month (ovulation). How the combined pill works How it prevents pregnancy There may be a link between the pill and depression but evidence is mixed and further research is needed.The pill does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), so use a condom as well.The combined pill is not suitable if you are over 35 and smoke, or if you have certain medical conditions.There's a very low risk of serious side effects, such as blood clots and cervical cancer.There is no evidence that the pill will make you gain weight.Minor side effects include mood swings, nausea, breast tenderness and headaches – these usually settle down in a few months.If you have heavy periods or painful periods, PMS (premenstrual syndrome) or endometriosis the combined pill may help.Check with your doctor if you're taking any other tablets. Some medicines may make the pill less effective.You could get pregnant if you do not do this, or if you miss a pill, or vomit or have severe diarrhoea. You need to take the pill at around the same time every day.Speak to a doctor or nurse about your options. You may be able to take some types of pill with no or shorter breaks (a tailored regime), which may reduce some side effects.You start taking the pill again after 7 days. The standard way to take the pill is to take 1 every day for 21 days, then have a break for 7 days, and during this week you have a bleed like a period.This means that fewer than 1 in 100 who use the combined pill as contraception will get pregnant in 1 year. When taken correctly, the pill is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.

Side effects of birth control