Hormone therapy is often required to regulate menstrual cycles, decrease the amount of blood loss during menstruation, improve acne control, stabilize mood dysregulation during the menstrual cycle and decrease cramping associated with periods. It can also help to prevent pregnancy, but it does not prevent spread of sexually transmitted disease so it should not be used as a sole source of pregnancy prevention.
Recommended Reading
There are many great resources on TeenSource about many topics, including oral contraceptives. https://www.teensource.org/birth-control
KidsHealth is another great resource: https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/contraception.html
How is the pill taken?
It is important to take the pill at the same time each day. We suggest taking it in the evening, since morning doses are more often forgotten, or weekend doses are taken late if you sleep in. Set an alarm to remember it until you’re in the habit of taking it.
If you forget and realize soon after your typical time, take it immediately. If you remember at the time of the next pill (Monday's pill is still in the pack when you're taking Tuesday's pill): take both. This may lead to nausea and decreased effectiveness of the pill.
How effective are they?
When regularly taken every day, birth control pills are 98 percent effective in preventing pregnancy. When pills are missed, there is no guarantee of good birth control. Protection against pregnancy is effective after completing one-month cycle (package) of pills. There are some medications and herbal supplements (such as St. John's Wort) that can decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. Please ask your pharmacist before taking any medications and supplements. The only 100 percent effective method of birth control is abstinence (not having sexual intercourse).
Are they safe?
If you are a healthy girl with no medical problems, you can take birth control pills safely. If you do have a health problem, talk to your provider to see if birth control pills are right for you and about rare side effects and risks.
Smoking increases the risk of blood clots on the pill and is not recommended. Please tell your provider if you smoke.
If you have a family history of blood clots please speak with your provider.
Are there side effects?
Most girls who use birth control pills have no side effects. Some girls have nausea, headaches or changes in their weight, skin, or mood. There are good side effects to birth control pills, too. Menstrual periods usually become regular, shorter, and lighter. Girls using birth control pills usually have less menstrual cramping and/or may experience an improved complexion.
Will using birth control pills now affect my ability to have children later?
No. Your ability to have children will be the same as it was before you started using birth control pills. It does not matter how long you take the pills.
Sexually transmitted diseases
Birth control pills do not protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If you decide that you are going to have sex, it is important that you use a condom every time to prevent the spread of disease. Please do not make this decision lightly because not only are there risks of pregnancy and infection, but sex can be used to emotionally control others. Do not ever make the decision to have sex if you are under the influence of alcohol or a drug that impairs your ability to make good decisions.
Insurance companies require us to screen for chlamydia with a urine sample at least once a year if you are on birth control, regardless of why you're on it. Even if you are not sexually active and use the hormones for a medical reason, they want us to screen for these infections. It is a simple, painless urine test.
