Birth Control Pill

Birth control pills (oral contraceptives) are used by women to prevent pregnancy. They contain a low dose of female hormones, some of which contain both progestin and oestrogen & some that only contain progestin.

How do birth control pills work?

They prevent your ovaries from releasing an egg each menstrual cycle (ovulation).
They change the texture of your cervical mucous creating a barrier for sperm.
They make the lining of the uterus thinner, making it harder for a fertilized egg to implant and result in a pregnancy.

How effective is the birth control pill?

At perfect use (following all directions for usage perfectly) the pill is approximately 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. At typical use (not following all directions for usage perfectly), effectiveness is lower.

How do I use the birth control pill?

Birth control pills come in either 21 or 28 day packs.
Check the expiry date on the package before you use them.
If you get the 21-day pack, take one pill each day for 21 days, followed by a pill-free week. During this pill-free week, you will get your period.
If you get the 28-day pack, take one pill each day for 28 days. The first 21 pills have hormones in them. The last 7 pills are hormone-free and are there to help you remember to take your pill everyday. It is during those last 7 days of pills that you will get your period.
The pills are most effective when taken at the same time everyday, within a one-hour window. For example, if you take the pill every day at 7:00 am, it can be taken between 6:00 & 8:00 am.
Birth control pills are not effective immediately. From the day you begin taking your first pack of pills, it takes one full cycle (1 pack of pills) to start effectively preventing pregnancy. If you plan to be sexually active during this time, use a backup method of contraception such as male condoms, female condoms, or spermicides.

What if I forget my pill?

If you miss 1 pill take that pill as soon as you remember it. Take your next pill at the regular time.
If you miss 2 pills in a row during the first 2 weeks of your cycle take two pills as soon as you remember and take two pills the next day. Then return to your regular schedule but use a back-up method of birth control for the seven days after the two missed pills.
If you miss 2 pills in a row during the third week of your cycle, discard the rest of the current pack, open the next pack of pills & start on day 1 again. Use a backup method of birth control for the next 7 days.
If you miss 3 pills in a row - you may begin your period. Whether or not you are menstruating, discard the rest of the current pack, open the next pack of pills & start on day 1 again. Use a backup method of birth control for the next 7 days.

Advantages:

Highly effective in preventing pregnancy if taken properly.
Can regulate your periods, making them more predictable.
You may experience lighter blood flow and less cramping during your period.
Reduces the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancers.
May improve acne.
Gives women control over their fertility.
Does not interrupt the spontaneity of sex
Is not reliant on the compliance of your partner

Disadvantages:

Requires visit a physician to obtain a prescription.
Based on medical history and health concerns, it may not be suitable for every woman
If you forget to take your pill at roughly the same time every day, the pill becomes less effective.
Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Some women experience side effects which can include: nausea, breast tenderness, slight weight gain, vomiting, or headaches. Side effects may go away after 3 months or you may not experience any at all. There are many variations of the pill. If one pill doesn’t work for you, another pill may.
A small number of women experience more serious complications including cardio vascular complications (heart attacks, strokes, blood clots in the veins).

Birth control pills may not be recommended if you have:

A history of gestational diabetes
Have benign breast disease or history of breast cancer
Have liver problems
Are 35 years of age and smoke
Have a history of deep vein thrombosis or embolism

Updated June 25, 2008

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Birth Control Pill Birth control pills (oral contraceptives) are used by women to prevent pregnancy. They contain a low dose of female hormones, some of which contain both progestin and oestrogen & some that only contain progestin. How do birth control pills work? They prevent your ovaries from releasing an egg each menstrual cycle (ovulation). They change the texture of your cervical mucous creating a barrier for sperm. They make the lining of the uterus thinner, making it harder for a fertilized egg to implant and result in a pregnancy. How effective is the birth control pill? At perfect use (following all directions for usage perfectly) the pill is approximately 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. At typical use (not following all directions for usage perfectly), effectiveness is lower. How do I use the birth control pill? Birth control pills come in either 21 or 28 day packs. Check the expiry date on the package before you use them. If you get the 21-day pack, take one pill each day for 21 days, followed by a pill-free week. During this pill-free week, you will get your period. If you get the 28-day pack, take one pill each day for 28 days. The first 21 pills have hormones in them. The last 7 pills are hormone-free and are there to help you remember to take your pill everyday. It is during those last 7 days of pills that you will get your period. The pills are most effective when taken at the same time everyday, within a one-hour window. For example, if you take the pill every day at 7:00 am, it can be taken between 6:00 & 8:00 am. Birth control pills are not effective immediately. From the day you begin taking your first pack of pills, it takes one full cycle (1 pack of pills) to start effectively preventing pregnancy. If you plan to be sexually active during this time, use a backup method of contraception such as male condoms, female condoms, or spermicides. What if I forget my pill? If you miss 1 pill take that pill as soon as you remember it. Take your next pill at the regular time. If you miss 2 pills in a row during the first 2 weeks of your cycle take two pills as soon as you remember and take two pills the next day. Then return to your regular schedule but use a back-up method of birth control for the seven days after the two missed pills. If you miss 2 pills in a row during the third week of your cycle, discard the rest of the current pack, open the next pack of pills & start on day 1 again. Use a backup method of birth control for the next 7 days. If you miss 3 pills in a row - you may begin your period. Whether or not you are menstruating, discard the rest of the current pack, open the next pack of pills & start on day 1 again. Use a backup method of birth control for the next 7 days. Advantages: Highly effective in preventing pregnancy if taken properly. Can regulate your periods, making them more predictable. You may experience lighter blood flow and less cramping during your period. Reduces the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancers. May improve acne. Gives women control over their fertility. Does not interrupt the spontaneity of sex Is not reliant on the compliance of your partner Disadvantages: Requires visit a physician to obtain a prescription. Based on medical history and health concerns, it may not be suitable for every woman If you forget to take your pill at roughly the same time every day, the pill becomes less effective. Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) Some women experience side effects which can include: nausea, breast tenderness, slight weight gain, vomiting, or headaches. Side effects may go away after 3 months or you may not experience any at all. There are many variations of the pill. If one pill doesn’t work for you, another pill may. A small number of women experience more serious complications including cardio vascular complications (heart attacks, strokes, blood clots in the veins). Birth control pills may not be recommended if you have: A history of gestational diabetes Have benign breast disease or history of breast cancer Have liver problems Are 35 years of age and smoke Have a history of deep vein thrombosis or embolism Updated June 25, 2008
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