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How do contraceptive pills work?
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Contraceptive pills prevent pregnancy through the following ways:
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Stop ovulation in about half of the menstrual cycles (this is not clear)
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Thicken cervical mucus, making it difficult for sperm to pass.
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Change the endometrium which decreases the possibility of egg implantation.
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Inhibit the movement of fallopian tube cilia, which decreases sperm movement (only POPs).
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How do you use COCs?
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If using a 28 pill pack (21 pills with hormones, 7 pills with iron):
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Take one pill each day in the sequence described on the packet.
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Start a new pack the day after finishing the last pill in the packet. There is no waiting period.
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If using a 21 pill pack:
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Take one pill each day in the sequence described on the packet.
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Rest for 7 days before starting a new packet.
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What if I miss a pill?
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If you are using combined oral contraceptives (COCs):
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If one hormonal pill (white) is missed, women should take the missed pill as soon as possible, and take the next pill in the packet at the regular time.
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If two or more of the hormonal pills are missed, take a pill as soon as possible and use a back up method for the next 7 days. Count how many hormonal pills are left in the packet. If 7 or more remain, take the rest of the pills as usual, one each day at the regular time. If fewer than 7 pills are left, take the rest of the hormonal pills as usual and don't take any of the iron (brown) pills, and discard them. Start a new packet on the next day after the last hormonal pill. You may miss a period, however this is normal.
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If one or more of the iron (brown) pills is missed, throw the missed pills away and take the rest of pills as usual.
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If you are using progestin-only pills (POPs):
- If one or more pills is missed by more than 3 hours
- If you have regular menstrual cycles, take it as soon as possible, keep taking the pills as usual, and abstain from sex or use a back up method for two days.
- If you are exclusively breastfeeding, amenorrhoreic and less than 6 months postpartum, take a pill as soon as possible, keep taking the pills as usual, and there is no need to use a back up method.
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Do contraceptive pills have any side effects?
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Pills are expected to cause some minor side effects that woman can usually tolerate easily, especially during the first few months. These include: changes in menstrual bleeding (spotting or bleeding in between periods, amenorrhea (missed periods), headache, breast tenderness, dizziness, nausea, mood changes (mild depression or minor loss of sexual desire), and slight weight changes. However, if the woman faces any of the following warning signs, she needs to seek medical assistance immediately:
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Severe pain in the abdomen, chest, or leg,
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Severe headache, dizziness, weakness, or numbness,
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Vision loss or blurred vision,
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Speech problems, or
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Yellowing of the skin or eyes (Jaundice).
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Must contraceptive pills be taken every day?
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Yes, as all the pills contain the hormone preventing pregnancy in very little amounts, if the woman doesn’t take the pill daily, she may become pregnant.
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If I don’t have my monthly period while using contraceptive pills, does this mean I’m pregnant?
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If you are using POPs, most probably not, especially if you are breastfeeding as POPs cause amenorrhea, however, if you are using COCs, and did not bleed after finishing the hormonal (white) tablets, you were using the pills correctly, and didn't use any medication that may affect its efficacy, then you may be pregnant. However, to be sure you need to visit a health care provider and take a pregnancy test. Even if you are pregnant contraceptive pills do not harm your pregnancy.
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Can a woman take contraceptive pills if she has not had any babies?
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Yes, both women with children and women without children can safely take the pills.
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Can a woman who smokes use contraceptive pills?
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Smoking women less than 35 years of age can use both types of pills, however, women over 35 years of age who are heavy smokers should not use combined oral contraceptives, but she can use progestin-only pills.
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Is it hard to get pregnant after using contraceptive pills?
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No, a woman can get pregnant as soon as she stops taking the pills. A woman might become pregnant if she misses one or two tablets without using a back up method. Some users may need some time before becoming pregnant after stopping the combined oral contraceptives after extended use.
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Should a woman give her body a break from using contraceptive pills every few years or so?
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No, it is not necessary as the hormones do not build up in woman's body. There are no health benefits to taking a break; on the contrary if a woman stops using the pills without switching to another effective method, she may become pregnant.
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Can a woman who had unprotected sex use the pills as an emergency contraceptive?
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