Birth control pills, commonly called "The Pill," prevent pregnancy by stopping ovulation, making cervical mucus too thick for sperm to swim in and thinning out the uterine lining, explains the American Pregnancy Association. Always follow the instructions for your brand of birth control carefully, as some brands have longer cycles than typical 28-day pill packs. When used correctly, the pill is approximately 99% effective, explains the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, or ACOG, but errors in use can lead to an unintended pregnancy. If you have any questions regarding the proper use of your birth control pills to prevent pregnancy, ask your health care provider.
Step 1
Take your first birth control pill on the first day of your menstrual period. According to the ACOG, you do not need to use backup birth control at all. Some doctors recommend starting a new pill pack on the first Sunday after the first day of your menstrual period. If you choose to begin this way, you will need to use backup birth control for seven days after beginning your first pill pack.
Step 2
Take a birth control pill at the same time each day, recommends the American Pregnancy Association. If you are taking the "mini pill," or a pill that is progestin-only, this timing is very important.
Step 3
Take a forgotten pill as soon as you remember. If you miss one pill, you may take that pill plus the next day's pill on the next day. If you miss more than one pill in a row, call your doctor to ask what you should do. Whenever you miss a birth control pill, use back up protection for seven days to reduce the chance of an unintended pregnancy.
Step 4
Take all of the pills in your pack as prescribed. If you are using a brand of birth control pill that has placebo pills at the end of the cycle, you will experience a period during the week that you take them. If your pill pack does not contain placebo pills, do not take a pill for seven days after taking your last active pill. You will bleed during this time. If you do not know whether your pill pack has placebo pills or not, ask your doctor.
Step 5
Begin your next pill pack after seven days of placebo pills or seven days of no pills. You should start your next pill pack on the same day of the week that you started your first pack, explains ACOG.
Tips and Warnings
- If you decide to try to get pregnant, try to allow your body to have one cycle after you stop taking birth control pills, recommends MayoClinic.com. This will make it easier to determine when you ovulated and will aid in dating the pregnancy. Use a back up method of birth control during this time, because you may get pregnant as soon as two weeks after stopping the Pill.
- Call your doctor or seek emergency care immediately if you experience symptoms of a blood clot, stroke or heart attack while taking birth control pills. Also, if you have a history of stroke, liver disease, heart attack, blood clots or breast cancer, you should not take birth control pills, warns the American Pregnancy Association. Do not smoke when taking the Pill, especially if you are over 35. This combination can make you more at risk of experiencing serious side effects.
