Combination Pills

• How They Work
• When Are They Effective?
• Advantages
• Disadvantages
• What To Do If You Miss A Pill
• Effectiveness
• See Your Doctor Right Away If You Are Experiencing...

How They Work These pills contain a combination of estrogen and progestin that prevent pregnancy by preventing ovulation, thickening the cervical mucus, or changing the endometrial of the uterus. These pills come in either 21 or 28 day packs.

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When Are They Effective?

Combination pills do not completely protect you during your first cycle. If you are planning of having intercourse during the first week that you start your pills you should use a backup method of birth control because the pills may not protect you from pregnancy during this time.

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Advantages

• They do not interrupt sex.
• They are extremely effective when used correctly.
• They can lighten and/or shorten you menstrual flow significantly.
• They decrease or eliminate the pain experienced during menstrual cramps.
• They can decrease PMS symptoms for some women.
• They regulate your menstrual cycle.
• They may cause an increase in breast size.(which might make some women happy)
• They can help clear up acne.
• They can protect against:
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Ovarian cysts
  • Breast cancer
  • Uterine cancer
  • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
• They are extremely safe to use in most cases.
• This method is reversible. You can stop taking the pill at any time you decide you want to have children.
• There is no need to take a
  Created April 6, 2003, last updated May 31, 2007