Women's HealthCare Group

Patient Information - Gynecology/Women's Health

How to Take Birth Control Pills

        The Basics of taking birth control pills

1. If you have just had a baby, your doctor may give you special instructions concerning your pill.
   
2. To begin your first pack of pills, swallow the first pill in your package on the Sunday after the 1st day of your menstrual period, even if you are still bleeding.  (Specific schedule)  Some pills are started on the first day of your period.  Your doctor or nurse will tell you when to start your pills.  Remember:  You may not be protected by your first package of pills until you have finished the package.  You must use a back-up method of birth control, like foam and condoms, through the first package.  After that, if you are taking pills correctly, you should be protected from pregnancy by the pill itself.
   
3. Swallow one pill every day at about the same time of day until every pill in the package is gone.  Don't ever change the order in which you are taking your pills, and don't stop taking pills without calling the clinic first.  Your period will usually start after you have begun the last 7 different colored pills in your package.
   
4. When you finish your package of pills, put a new refill into your compact (or open your next pack) and start taking the first pill in that package the next day.
   
5. Sometimes, even if you have taken your pills correctly, you may have some bleeding or spotting the first three months you are taking birth control pills.  Don't let this scare you.  If you have any questions, call the clinic, however, continue to take your pills on schedule.  This extra bleeding is called "breakthrough bleeding".  You can also get breakthrough bleeding  if you skip a pill (see below for what to do if you miss a pill).
   
6. Antibiotics can decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills.  If you take antibiotics for any reason, use a back-up method such as foam and condoms along with your birth control pills.  If you are just taking antibiotics for a short period of time, use a back-up method while you are taking the antibiotics and for 7 days after you completed your course of antibiotics.
   
7. Any time you are seen by a clinician for any reason, be sure to mention that you are using birth control pills.

Schedule to start your first package of pills

Missed Pills

1. If you miss one pill, take it as soon as you remember it.  Then take the other pill at your regular time.
2. If you miss two pills in a row, take two pills per day for the next two days then go back to one pill per day.  Even if you missed just one pill, we suggest that you also use another method, like foam and condoms, each time you have sex for at least the next two weeks.  The risk of becoming pregnant is greater when you have missed two pills in a row.
3. If you miss 3 or more pills in a row, call the clinic as soon as possible for instructions.
4. If you are ill and have several days of severe diarrhea or vomiting, use a back-up method, like foam and condoms, until your next period.
5. Never take more than 2 pills in one day.

Missed Periods

You may sometimes miss a period or have a very light period while on birth control pills.

• If you miss one period and have not missed any pills, and do not have any other signs of pregnancy (breast tenderness, nausea, urinary frequency), continue to take your pills.  If you have missed some pills, and then skip a period, call the clinic.
• If you miss two periods in a row, call the clinic.

Remember

No method of birth control is 100% effective (except abstinence)!

Birth control pills do  not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

Possible side effects of the pill

Call the clinic immediately if you have:

1. Severe headache, dizziness
2. Blurred vision
3. Unusual chest or leg pain
4. Shortness of breath
5. Severe stomach pain
6. Numbness on one side of your body

Possible changes you may feel

Call the clinic is these worry you:

1. Feeling sick to your stomach
2. Weight gain
3. Missed periods
4. Bleeding between periods

Nutrition and the pill

Every should practice sound eating habits throughout life.  Women on the pill have additional nutritional needs.  This is because the pill may change the way the body uses some nutrients in the food that is eaten.  All women taking the pill should continue to eat a well-balanced diet with special attention on foods rich in vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid and riboflavin.

Foods high in vitamin C:

All citrus fruits and juices; strawberries; cantanloupe; tomatoes; green and red peppers; raw cabbage; broccoli; kale; turnip, mustard, and collard greens; Irish and sweet potatoes; and spinach.

Foods high in vitamin B6:

Meats (especially liver), whole grain cereals, dried peas and beans, milk and peanuts.

Foods high in vitamin B12:

Organ meats, oysters, clams, lean meats, eggs, and animal protein foods.

Foods high in folic acid:

Green leafy vegetables, dired peas and beans, liver, wheat germ, yeast, asparagus, and nuts.

Foods high in riboflavin:

Milk, cheese, ice cream, meat (especially liver and poultry), eggs, fish, dark green leafy vegetables, enriched bread, and cereals.

Disclaimer:  This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available.  The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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Last Modified: September 04, 2002

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This site published 8/2002 by Kathleen Vincent for the Women's HealthCare Group in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 
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