• Home
• Events/News
• Medical
• Counseling
• Donate
• Shoes!
• Contact
• About
• En Español

• HIPAA Privacy Statement
• Birth Control Services »
  • Birth Control Pills
  • Depo Provera
  • Diaphragm
  • IUD
  • Nuvaring
  • Ortho Evra
  • Plan B
• Bladder & Urinary Tract Infections
• Colposcopy
• Emergency Contraception (Morning After Pill)
• HIV Testing
• Hormone Replacement Therapy
• Loop Electrosurgery Excision Procedure (LEEP)
• Mammograms
• Men's Health
• Pap Smears
• Pregnancy Testing
• Routine Gynecological Exams
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases »
  • Chlamydia
  • Gonorrhea
  • Herpes
  • Herpes Tests
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
  • Trichomonas
• Ultrasound
• Vaginal Infection Treatment »
  • Bacterial Vaginosis
  • Cervicitis
  • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
  • Yeast Infections
• Yeast Infections
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

BIRTH CONTROL PILLS

Combination oral contraceptive pills are made from synthetic estrogen and progesterone similar to the natural hormones produced by your body. When the pill is taken as directed, it prevents pregnancy by preventing eggs from being released from the ovaries as well as causing changes in the cervix and the lining of the uterus. A doctor or nurse practitioner must prescribe the pill. A complete physical exam with a pap smear is usually performed before the pill is prescribed.

HOW TO TAKE THE PILL

1. To begin the pill, take the first pill on the first Sunday after beginning your menstrual period. For example, if you start your period on Wednesday, take the first pill the following Sunday. If you start your period on a Sunday, begin taking the pill that day. Start the pill whether or not you are still bleeding. Use a back-up method of birth control (such as condoms, VCF, or a diaphragm) for the first two weeks after beginning the pill.
2. Take the pill everyday at about the same time, for example, when you brush your teeth in the morning or at dinnertime.
3. Most pill packs have 28 pills in them, 21 containing hormones and 7 placebo (sugar or iron) pills. These placebo pills are there to remind you to take a pill everyday. It is while taking these placebo pills that you will have your period. If you do not have a period, continue taking the pill. If you miss two periods call us to schedule an appointment, but continue taking the pill. The pill does not cause birth defects but if you stop taking the pill you could become pregnant.
4. When you finish a pack of pills, start a new pack the next day.
5. If you miss one or two pills, take two pills each day until you are caught up and continue with the rest of the pack as usual. For example, if you forget Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s pills, take the missed pills on Thursday, Thursday’s and Friday’s pills on Friday, and finish the rest of the pack as usual. Use a back-up method for the next week. Don’t worry if you miss placebo pills. Just throw them away and finish the rest of the pack.
6. If you forget three or more pills in a row, do not take them when you remember. Instead, wait until you start bleeding and begin a new pack. Use a back-up method from the time you remember and for the first two weeks of the new pack. If you had intercourse on one of the days of the missed pills, you may be a candidate for Emergency Contraceptive Pills (morning after pill). Call us as soon as possible to get more information or schedule an appointment.

ADVANTAGES:

• Close to 100% pregnancy prevention when used correctly.
• Does not interfere with intercourse.
• Decreased menstrual flow and cramps.
• Decreases risk for uterine and ovarian cancers.
• Decreases risk for ovarian and breast cysts.
• Decreases risk for osteoporosis among long term users.
• May decrease acne.

DISADVANTAGES:

• Must remember to take a pill every day.
• Provides no protection against sexually transmitted infections.
• May cause a variety of side effects including:
  • Breast tenderness
  • Spotting between periods
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Depression or mood changes
  • Weight gain or loss
  • Increase or decrease in sex drive
  • Headaches
  • Hair loss or hair gain
  • Increased vaginal discharge and susceptibility to vaginal infections

A woman can have all of these side effects or none at all. Most of these side effects resolve within 3 months after starting the pill. If they do not subside after 3 months or become worse, your pill can be changed to one that is better for you.

SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS:

The pill can cause some serious side effects. Although the likelihood of these is very rare, you should be aware of their possibility:

• Blood clots which can lead to strokes and heart attacks.
• Liver tumors.
• Increased blood pressure.
• Worsening migraines, asthma or epilepsy.

DANGER SIGNS:

These are the warning signs of the severe side effects. Call Women’s Clinic at (310) 203-8899 or go to the nearest emergency room if you experience any of the following:

• Severe leg pain (calf or thigh)
• Severe abdominal pain
• Severe chest pain
• Severe headaches that do not resolve with Tylenol or another pain killer
• Blurriness of vision or loss of vision

CONDITIONS THAT SHOULD BE WATCHED:

Some women may not be able to take the pill, please tell the clinician if any of the following apply to you:

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Epilepsy
• Liver disease
• Gallbladder disease
• Cardiovascular or heart disease
• Migraines
• Smoking