The birth control combined pills contain two hormones, estrogen and progestin. The birth control pill is a medication you take once a day to prevent pregnancy. There are other benefits to taking a birth control pill, in addition to pregnancy prevention. The pill is about 93 percent to 99 percent effective when taken correctly and each day.
BENEFITS:
- Fewer menstrual (period) cramps and bleeding
- Improvement in acne
- Decreased risk for ovarian and endometrial cancer
- Decreased menstrual (period) blood loss
- Decreased menstrual (period) related migraines
- Regular, predictable, or scheduled period
- Decreased risk of ectopic pregnancy
- Reduced PMS symptoms (example; breast pain)
- There is no delay to fertility once discontinued
RISKS/SIDE EFFECTS:
- Spotting between periods
- Weight changes (uncommon)
- Decreased milk supply (if breastfeeding)
- Cardiovascular complications (including elevated blood pressure)
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Change in libido (uncommon)
- Skin changes (ex. Darkening of the skin)
- Breast tenderness
The following can be symptoms of a blood clot or other serious problems. Seek urgent medical care if you have any of the following symptoms:
EARLY PILL DANGER SIGNS
A Abdominal pain (severe)
C Chest pain or shortness of breath
H Headaches (severe)
E Eye problems (blurred vision, flashing lights, or blindness)
S Severe leg pain (calf or thigh)
Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects from combination oral contraceptive use. This risk increases with age and with heavy smoking (15 or more cigarettes per day) and is quite marked in women over 35. Women who use combination hormonal contraceptives, including NuvaRing, should be strongly advised not to smoke.
ALTERNATIVES: You have received information about the other methods of birth control that are available. For situations of suspected contraception failure, emergency contraception is available and offers a second chance to reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy.
INSTRUCTIONS: You have received information about the birth control pill and how to use it. The pill does not protect against STIs or HIV.
DECISION TO STOP TAKING PILLS: You may stop taking birth control pills at any time. A woman is most likely to become pregnant if she or her partner does not use a method of birth control.
QUESTIONS: You may ask questions about birth control pills at any time and may contact the clinic with further questions.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING COMBINED ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE
(BIRTH CONTROL PILLS)
There are three satisfactory ways to start taking birth control pills. You should discuss with your provider which approach is right for you.
- Start on the first day of menstrual bleeding.
- Start on the first Sunday after your period begins.
- Start today if you are certain that you are not pregnant.
A backup method may not be necessary if you start the pills on the first day of bleeding. For a Sunday start or if you are starting pills today, use another method of birth control as a backup method for the next seven days. Keep a backup method on hand all the time (ex. condoms).
Swallow one pill every day until you finish the pack.
- If you are using a 21-day pack, stop one week and then start a new pack. To avoid your period, start a new packet immediately.
- If you are using a 28-day pack, begin a new pack immediately. Skip no days between packages. To avoid your period, do not take the last week of pills and immediately start a new packet.
Try associating taking your pill with regularly scheduled activities like going to bed, eating a meal or brushing your teeth. This may make it easier to remember. Pills work best if you take one at about the same time every day in order to keep the proper amount of medication in your system. This is especially important if you have bleeding between your periods.
Pregnancy is unlikely when birth control is used as directed. If you are worried or have symptoms of pregnancy, call the clinic or take a pregnancy test at home. If you do not have a period at your regular scheduled interval, call the clinic or take a pregnancy test at home.
Check your pack of birth control pills every morning to make sure you took your pill the day before.
- If you are late or miss one pill, take the tablet as soon as you remember it. Continue taking your pills daily on time, which may mean taking 2 pills in one day. No backup method is needed. Your risk for pregnancy is low and emergency contraception is not typically needed.
- If you miss two or more active hormone pills in a row: Take one active pill as soon as possible. Continue taking your pills daily on time which may mean taking 2 pills in one day. Use condoms or avoid vaginal sexual intercourse until you have taken active hormone pills for 7 days.
- If pills were missed during the last week of active pills (days 15-21) finish the active pills in your current package and start a new package the next day without taking any placebo pills OR use condoms or abstain from vaginal sexual activity until you have taken active pills in the new packet for 7 days in a row.
- If the pills you miss are from the fourth week of a 28-day pack, throw away the missed pills. Continue taking pills from your current package of pills on schedule. The pills in this fourth week do not contain hormones, so this does not increase your risk of pregnancy.
- If you miss one or more pills and miss a period, you should stop taking pills and contact your Family Planning clinic or healthcare provider for a pregnancy test. You may want to consider using another method of birth control.
- Emergency contraception is available if you were sexually active on any days you missed pills.
If you become ill and have several days of diarrhea or vomiting, use a backup method of birth control (ex. Condoms) for the remainder of that cycle (until next menstrual period starts). Start a new pack of pills with the next menstrual period.
Certain medications can diminish the effectiveness of birth control pills. Always check if a new medicine you plan to take will impact the effectiveness of your pill.
Last Reviewed: November 2024