Birth Control Pills
- About Birth Control Pills
- What Do Birth Control Pills Look Like?
- How to Use
- When to Start Taking the Pill
- Do Not Use The Pill If You�
- Cost
- What If I Throw Up After Taking The Pill?
- What If I Want To Get Pregnant?
- Related Forms of Birth Control
About Birth Control Pills
Birth control pills are oral contraceptives that are extremely effective at preventing pregnancy. They do this by either preventing ovulation, thickening the cervical mucus, or changing the endometrial lining of the uterus. There are two main types of birth control pills: combination pills and progestin-only pills.
What Do Birth Control Pills Look Like?Birth control pills come in packages that contain one month�s supply of pills. They either come in 28-day packs or 21-day packs. The 28-day packages come with three weeks worth of �active pills� and one week�s worth of �inactive�, or reminder, pills. The active pills are the pills that actually contain the hormones that prevent pregnancy. The only function of the inactive, or reminder pills, is to keep you on track so that you start your next pack on time. The 21-day packages only contain active pills. When you finish the pack you must wait seven days before starting the next pack. |  |
How to Use
Birth control pills are most effective when taken at the same time every day. This can be especially important because some types of birth control pills are more time sensitive than others.
When To Start Taking The Pill?
There are two different ways to start taking the pill. You can either start taking them on the first day of your period (first-day starters), or on the first Sunday after your period starts (Sunday-starters). If you are a Sunday-starter and your period starts on a Sunday then you should take the first the pill then, not a week later. You should talk to your doctor about which method of starting the pill is best for you.
Do Not Use The Pill If You...
- Smoke and are over the age of 35.
- Have unexplained vaginal bleeding.
- Have breast cancer.
- Have liver problems.
- Have high blood pressure or cholesterol levels.
- Have a history of blood clots.
- Are pregnant or suspect that you are pregnant.
Cost
The cost of birth control pills vary from about $20-$35 dollars a month depending on who you get them from and whether the pills are generic or nongeneric. This price does not include the cost of the doctor�s examination needed to get a prescription for birth control pills. If you are concerned about the price, you can try going to clinics, such as Planned Parenthood, because they often provide their services at lower prices.
What If I Throw Up After Taking The Pill?
If you throw up less than two hours after taking a pill you should take another one. DO NOT take a pill from the same pack! Instead, always keep an extra package of pills on hand and take the pills from this package.
If you throw up for an entire day or more try to stay on track wih taking the pill and use a backup method of birth control during the time that you are sick until a week after you get better.
What If I Want To Get Pregnant?
You can become pregnant immediately after you stop taking the pill, even though your cycles may not be regular for a few months. Despite the fact that it is safe to get pregnant right away, it may be a good a idea to wait until your cycles are regular because it makes it easier for your physician to estimate the due date of your baby