The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states that less than 1 percent of women who use birth control pills correctly get pregnant, but average failure rates are closer to 8 percent. This is because many women fail to take birth control pills as instructed. Women who are about to begin taking birth control pills should learn as much as they can about the process to ensure that their birth control pills are as effective as possible.
Step 1
Visit a doctor. All birth control pills require a prescription, so a doctor's visit is necessary to get the pills. While at the doctor's appointment, women should discuss the potential risks and side effects with a doctor and bring up any questions or concerns they may have.
Step 2
Pick a start date. Women who take combination birth control can start taking the pill within five days after the first day of menstrual bleeding and do not need to use a backup method of birth control, according to Planned Parenthood. Those who begin taking a combination birth control pill at any other time during the menstrual cycle need to use a backup method of birth control for seven days. Women who take progestin-only birth control pills can begin taking the medication at any time during the cycle but will need to use a backup method of birth control for 48 hours. Those who are unsure which type of birth control they are taking should consult the product information sheet that came with their prescription.
Step 3
Pick the time of day to take the pill. Women should take their birth control pills at the same time every day for maximum effectiveness, so it is important to select a convenient time. It may be useful to use a cell phone or alarm clock to signal when it is time to take the pill.
Step 4
Prepare a backup method of birth control. Depending upon the circumstances, women may need to use a backup method of birth control when they first begin using the pill. They also should have a backup method of birth control prepared and ready to use in case they miss a pill.
Step 5
Begin taking the pill. Women who miss a pill should take it as soon as they remember and continue taking the rest of the pills in the package at the regular time. Those who miss two or more pills should continue taking the remainder of the pills in the package at their regularly scheduled time but use a backup method of birth control for at least seven days, according to Family Health International.
Tips and Warnings
- Women who are sure they are not pregnant can also start using birth control pills in the middle of the cycle but will need to use a backup method of contraception for the remainder of the cycle. Women who are breastfeeding should talk to a doctor about when to start taking birth control pills. Progestin-only pills should not affect milk during breastfeeding, but combination birth control pills can reduce the quality and amount of breast milk during the first six weeks of nursing. Women who have recently had an abortion, miscarriage or went through childbirth can begin the progestin-only pill immediately. However, those taking a combination birth control pill should wait at least three weeks after childbirth before starting the pill, according to Planned Parenthood.
- Women should report all particularly bothersome or persistent side effects to a doctor when taking birth control pills. Women who are more than three hours late in taking the progestin-only pill need to use a backup method of birth control for 48 hours to protect themselves against pregnancy.
Things You'll Need
- Prescription
- Backup method of birth control
