CONTRACEPTION: HOW TO TAKE BIRTH CONTROL PILLS (FOR A 28-DAY CYCLE)
You have been prescribed an oral contraceptive, also known as a birth control pill. Most birth control pills contain a combination of synthetic estrogen and progestin.
A.Birth control pills suppress ovulation.
B.They make the lining of the uterus unreceptive for an egg to implant and grow. Birth control pills also alter the cervical mucus, making it thicker and harder for sperm to penetrate.
C.A birth control pill does not prevent any sexually transmitted infection (STI) or HIV. A condom must still be used to protect yourself from the HIV virus or other infections.
D.You will be asked to return to the office in 3 months after starting birth control pills to check your blood pressure and for other side effects of the pill, such as your potassium level and nausea.
E.If your blood pressure is normal and you are not having any other problems taking the pills, your prescription for birth control pills may be written for 1 year.
F.At the end of that time, you will need another physical examination and possibly a Pap smear. Then your prescription can be refilled for another year.
You Have Been Prescribed: ___________________________________________________________
A.This is a combination pill of estrogen and progestin:
1.Your packet contains 28 pills. Notice that your pills are different colors. You must take them in the order that they come in the packet. There are 21 active
pills, and the last seven are inactive or sugar
pills to keep you in the habit of taking a pill every day.
2.You must take a pill every day at approximately the same time. Develop the habit of taking the pill with brushing your teeth, for example. You cannot share your birth control pills with anyone else.
3.Start your packet on the Sunday of your period. Take the pill marked 1,
start here,
or Sunday.
4.You take a pill every day for 21 days; when you start the last seven pills, you will have a period or withdrawal bleed.
5.Your period may not start for 1 to 2 days into the last week of pills. This is normal. You generally have a shorter, lighter period on birth control pills.
6.When you start your period, it is time to refill your prescription for your next month of pills.
7.If this is your first packet of birth control pills, you are not considered protected and may get pregnant. Use a backup method of birth control for the first packet of pills.
8.Missed pills Instructions:
a.If you miss one pill: Take it as soon as you remember, then get back on your regular schedule (you take two pills in 1 day).
b.If you miss two pills: Take two pills as soon as you remember, then get back on schedule (you take three pills in 1 day). You must use a backup method of birth control, such as a condom, until you finish that packet of pills. You may have spotting if you miss two pills. This is normal.
c.If you miss three pills: You may have a period. Discard that packet of pills and start a new packet on Sunday. You must use a backup method of birth control such as a condom for the first 7 days of the new packet.
d.If one or more birth control pills are missed, no backup method of contraception is used, and if you miss your period, you should do a pregnancy test.
9.If you are prescribed antibiotics while taking birth control pills, you must use a backup method of birth control such as a condom. You can get pregnant. Antibiotics and other medications such as those used to prevent seizures make birth control pills less effective, making it possible to get pregnant.
You Need to Notify the Office If You:
A.Vomit your birth control pills.
B.Have a severe or migraine-like headache.
C.Are depressed (cannot make yourself happy).
D.Have pain in your legs, especially if your calf hurts when walking or flexing your foot.
E.Break your leg and require a cast.
F.Think you are pregnant (skipped pills or are taking antibiotics).
G.Have blurred vision, loss of vision, or spots before your eyes.
H.Feel chest pain or shortness of breath.
I.Feel severe abdominal pain.
J.Have lots of swelling of the fingers, hands, ankles, or face.
K.Other: ___________________________________________________________
Phone: ____________________________
PATIENT TEACHING GUIDE