How does the pill work?
Is the pill dangerous?
What are the side effects?
What are the risks of taking the pill?
Do birth control pills cause breast cancer?
How do I take the pill?
What if I miss taking a pill?
What if I have irregular bleeding on the pill?
Is it true that you can take your pills continuously for three months and then get a period?
Do I need to “take a break” from the pill every so often?
How soon after stopping the pill can I get pregnant?
How do I get a prescription for oral contraceptives?
Are birth control pills covered by the student health fee?
How does the pill work?
The pill is a combination of two hormones, estrogen and progesterone. Taken together, these hormones work as a contraceptive acting before fertilization occurs. The progesterone in the pills provide most of the birth control by thickening the mucous, blocking the surge of the luteinizing hormone (LH) and inhibiting ovulation. The estrogen decreases the release of another hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) which may aid in the suppression of LH which inhibits ovulation.
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Is the pill dangerous?
No. The Birth Control Pill (“the pill” or oral contraceptives) has been available for 40 years. During that time, the pill has been studied and improved over time. Recent formulations of the pill are considered very safe and can be taken by most women with few side effects. There are certain medical conditions or risk factors that make the pill unsuitable for some women. Your primary care clinician can help you determine if the pill is a safe, convenient option for you.
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What are the side effects?
Side effects vary from woman to woman and often depend on the type of pill you are taking. Some women report bleeding irregularities, especially during the first three months of taking the pill. This usually will resolve itself after a few months. Taking the pill at the same time every day helps to decrease the risk of missing pills as well as to decrease the risk of irregular bleeding. Other possible side effects include nausea, breast tenderness, and mood swings. Some women report a slight increase in weight, 3-4 pounds over a year, though newer formulation of pills have made this less of a problem. If you find you are still experiencing side effects from the pill after three months, contact your clinician. Changing your pill may help to relieve your side effects.
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What are the risks of taking the pill?
Abnormal blood clotting is the primary risk in taking oral contraceptives. In a small number of women, the estrogen in the pill changes the way in which the body forms blood clots. Blood clots among healthy women with no risk factors are rare. If while taking the pill, you experience any of the following, you should seek medical care immediately and inform them you are taking hormonal contraception:
- A - abdominal pain (severe, sudden onset)
- C - chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing up blood
- H - headache (severe, unrelenting), numbness in arms and/or legs
- E - eye problems (sudden blurred vision, loss of vision, flashing lights)
- S - severe leg pain in calf or thigh
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Do birth control pills cause breast cancer?
After more than 50 studies, most experts believe that pills have little, if any effect, on the risk of developing breast cancer.
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How do I take the pill?
Pills should be taken every day at about the same time. Some women choose to take the pill first thing in the morning, others right before going to sleep. What is important is to create a schedule for taking the pill that works for you so you will be less likely to forget to take it.
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What if I miss taking a pill?
Instructions for what to do if you miss a pill can be found on the package insert you receive when you pick up your prescription from the pharmacy. Missing a pill means taking it after an interval of more than 24 hours or not at all. The impact of missing a pill depends on when you miss it in your cycle and how many pills you have missed.
One active pill during week 1, 2 or 3, take it as soon as you remember it or take 2 pills the following day at your regular time without having to use back-up birth control.
Two pills during week 1 or 2, take two pills the day you remember, and 2 pills the next day. If you miss two active pills during week 3, keep taking one active pill until Sunday. On Sunday, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack that same day. You may not have your period this month.
Three or more active pills in a row during week 1, 2, or 3, continue taking 1 pill daily until Sunday. On Sunday throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack that same day. If you are on a day 1 start schedule, throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack that same day and continue using for the rest of that new package.
IMPORTANT: If you are sexually active during the 7 days after you miss 2 or more pills, you need to use back-up birth control. You may also wish to consider emergency contraception.
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What if I have irregular bleeding on the pill?
Breakthrough bleeding is spotting or bleeding between menstrual periods. This is common in the first 1-3 months of using the pill. As long as you have been taking your pills correctly and there is no risk of pregnancy, the bleeding is not harmful, does not mean that you have cancer, and will not hurt you. You should contact your clinician if you have been having regular periods and suddenly experience breakthrough bleeding or think you might be pregnant.
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Is it true that you can take your pills continuously for three months and then get a period?
Yes. This is called extended use of the birth control pill. There are varying ways to do this and should be discussed with your health care clinician. You can potentially skip the week of placebo pills, start a new pill pack immediately after finishing a pack and take the placebos at the end of the second or third pack. Continuous use is not recommended for all BCPs and you should check with your clinician first. You may also use a newer pill called Seasonale which is packaged to be taken continuously for three months. The advantage of the extended use of the pill is the lack of monthly periods. Some women do report slightly more irregular bleeding when first initiating extended use pills.
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Do I need to “take a break” from the pill every so often?
No. There is no medical reason to “take a break” from oral contraceptives. In fact, stopping and restarting the pill increases your risk of unplanned pregnancy.
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How soon after stopping the pill can I get pregnant?
As soon as you stop taking the pill, the birth control effect stops. If you decide you want to become pregnant, stop taking the pills. The pill does not decrease your fertility; however you may have a 1-2 month delay before your periods become regular again.
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How do I get a prescription for oral contraceptives?
Make an appointment with a member of your primary care team. Both Medical Doctors and Nurse Practitioners can prescribe the birth control pill for you. When you come for an appointment the health care clinician will review your medical history and discuss your options for birth control. A physical exam may or may not be necessary depending on your individual needs. Prescriptions for the birth control pill can be filled at the HUHS pharmacy or at CVS.
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Are birth control pills covered by the student health fee?
Birth control pills are covered by the HUHS student health fee with a small co-pay.
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