Birth control pills taken before the menstrual cycle begins can be used to regulate the menstrual cycle, treat acne, PMS, menstrual cramping, endometriosis, heavy bleeding and polycystic ovary syndrome.The pill works by releasing a continuous low level of estrogen and progesterone, which works to stabilize the hormone levels in women with these conditions.
Step 1
Start the pill before your menstrual cycle begins, as instructed by your physician. He might ask that you start the pill on a specific day of the week, right after leaving the clinic, or to calculate when your menstrual cycle should normally begin and take it a few days before. Also, follow any additional information printed on the drug information pamphlet that's included with the birth control pills.
Step 2
Take the birth control pills at the same time every day. Planned Parenthood suggests setting an alarm as a reminder.
Step 3
Do not double up doses. These pills contain a certain level of estrogen and progesterone, which might be dangerous if doubled. If a dose is missed, use a secondary form of birth control and continue taking the pills as normal.
Step 4
Take the birth control pill with water and food to reduce nausea. Take the pill after dinner to avoid becoming nauseated when taking the pill in the morning. The Center for Young Women's Health States that even with preventive measures, nausea still might occur for the first month of using birth control pills.
Step 5
Start a new pack of birth control pills immediately after the other runs out. Most birth control packs come with 21 or 28 pills, so after taking the last one from one pack, start on a new pack immediately.
Step 6
Take the placebo pills. Birth control pills usually have 21 days of active pills, which contain both estrogen and progesterone in their synthetic forms and seven days of non-active pills, which might only contain sugar These pills are often referred to as reminder pills. Some women prefer to take these pills so they don't forget what day they're on in the cycle.
Tips and Warnings
- Ask the physician whether the last pills in the pack are placebo or active.
- Watch carefully for emergency signs while taking the pill. These symptoms are referred to by the acronym ACHES: abdominal pain (severe), chest pain (severe, coughing and shortness of breath), headache (severe), eye problems and severe leg pain. Women who experience these symptoms should seek emergency care immediately and bring the birth control pills as well.
References
- Planned Parenthood: Birth Control Pills
- The Center for Young Women's Health: Oral Contraceptives
- Epigee: Birth Control Information
- Dr. Ahmed Haloob; Obstetrician/Gynecologist/Fertility Specialist; Los Angeles, California
