Contraceptive pills are a popular form of contraception due to their ease of use and availability. Contraceptive pills work by supplying low levels of certain hormones which help disturb the female menstrual cycle. As a result, ovulation (the maturation and release of an egg) does not occur, which makes it impossible for the woman taking the pill to become pregnant.
Step 1
Choose the right kind of pill. There are many different kinds of contraceptive pills (some with a combination of estrogen and progestin, and some that only have progestin) and they come in different strengths (doses). Your doctor may recommend one kind of pill over another if you have certain health problems (such as a family history of breast cancer or problems with blood clotting) or to help you minimize side effects. Because each woman's hormonal chemistry is different, you may have to try a few different kinds of birth control pills to find the kind that works for you.
Step 2
Start taking your contraceptive pill the first day of your period. You will need to take the birth control for one full 28-day cycle for it to become fully effective, so use a backup method of contraception (such as condoms or a diaphragm) during this time.
Step 3
Take your pill every day at the same time. Birth control pills are most effective if they are taken at the same time every day. They are still very effective if taken daily, but the more regularly you take them, the better they work. According to YoungWomensHealth.org, birth control pills are over 99 percent effective when they are taken at the same time every day.
Step 4
Take two pills the next day if you miss a day,. If you miss two days in a row, take two pills each day for the next two days to compensate. If you miss more than two days in a row, you should "start over," meaning that you should stop using contraceptive pills and start using your backup contraception method. Get a new pack of birth control pills and wait until your next period starts before taking them again.
Member Comments