A variety of safe, effective techniques and products are available for preventing and planning pregnancy. Oral contraceptives, or birth control pills, provide a convenient method for family planning, avoiding pregnancy and, for some, lessening discomforts related to reproductive hormone levels. Some forms of "the pill" combine estrogen and progesterone in different quantities, while other types use only progestin.
Oral contraceptive use is very common, yet there are risks, as with any drug. It is important to use hormonal medication, such as birth control, under the care of a licensed health care practitioner. Appropriate and professional health screening and a little planning can help women make the most effective use of birth control pills.
Step 1
Record your health history. The Mayo Clinic suggests you'll need to answer questions from your health care practitioner about prior illnesses and surgeries, ongoing health conditions, all medications or supplements you currently take, any pregnancies, including miscarriages and terminations, as well as any known allergies to foods, insects, and medications. You should also know about outstanding events or conditions in your family-of-origin's health history, especially breast cancer, blood clots, strokes or other cardiovascular disease.
Step 2
Call your health care practitioner and tell her you'd like to start using oral contraceptives. Medical staff will ask you for the above-mentioned screening information by phone or have you come in for an appointment, which may include an annual well-woman exam.
Step 3
Fill your prescription at a pharmacy.
Step 4
Begin taking the first pill on the day that your prescribing practitioner determines is best. Take your pill with food or milk to help avoid nausea.
Step 5
Continue taking a single pill every day at the same time of day. Some packets will have pills that are a different color--these are reminder pills, to be taken only on the days specified.
Tips and Warnings
- Take your pill every day at the same time to help you remember. If you forget a pill, take one as soon as you remember, but do not "double up" by taking two pills at a time. Have a back-up plan for barrier contraception, such as condoms, available at all times.
- You may still be able to get pregnant during the first full cycle or month after starting birth control pills. To prevent pregnancy, use some form of barrier-type contraception, such as condoms or a diaphragm. Be aware of commonly reported side effects from using birth control pills, such as breast tenderness, nausea and headaches, according to Medline Plus. Talk with your physician about any such symptoms if they become intolerable. Symptoms that should be reported to your health care practitioner immediately include chest pain, breathing difficulty, severe abdomen pain, sudden vision problems and unexplainable pain in your legs.
