Birth control pills, patches, and other forms of medications use hormones to prevent pregnancy and regulate the menstrual cycle. These hormones work by preventing the release of an egg from the ovaries each month. They can help to regulate cycles, decrease the amount of pain or bleeding during a cycle, or to help control acne.
Recommended Reading
Check out The NO-PANIC Guide to the Birth Control Pill – Part I
for an easy to read cartoon about how hormones control the menstrual cycle and how oral contraceptives work. The NO-PANIC Guide to the Birth Control Pill – Part II
goes into risks and benefits of hormone therapy.
The CDC has a page of all the types of contraceptive methods to review options other than the pill:
cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/contraception/index.htm
For information on a hormone patch: https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/contraception-patch.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.
If you do not take them at the same time each day you are more likely to have spotting or breakthrough bleeding. You are also more likely to become pregant if you are sexually active.
How effective are pills to prevent pregnancy?
When taken regularly 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). Using barrier methods (ie condoms) along with a hormonal contraceptive increases the protection against pregancy.
Are they safe?
If you are healthy 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 or vape.
Are there side effects?
Most who use birth control pills have no side effects.
Some 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. Those 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 doesn't matter how long you take the pills.
How do I get started on birth control pills?
To make sure birth control pills are right for you, meet with your provider.
When you start birth control pills it is best to return within 3 months to be sure it's effective and to check your blood pressure. After that being seen 1-2 times a year to review how it's working is recommended. These follow ups can be at your annual well visit.
You will typically take your first pill on a Sunday. It can be started the same day your period starts, or even after it finishes. If there is a chance you're pregnant, talk to your prescriber before starting.
Sexually transmitted diseases
Birth control pills do not protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We screen all patients who are female at birth for Chlamydia each year starting at 15 years per standard recommendations, but if you are sexually active and concerned about an STI we may recommend more screening.
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.
