If you are looking at birth control options, you might have heard about combined oral contraceptive pills. These tiny daily tablets are a very common way to prevent pregnancy.
You might already use them, or you might be thinking about starting soon. Before you take any new medicine, it helps to understand how it works and what to expect.
Key Takeaways
- Combined oral contraceptive pills contain two female hormones: estrogen and progestin.
- You must take your pill at the same time every single day for the best results.
- Always tell your doctor about your health history and any other medicines you take.
- Birth control pills stop pregnancy, but they do not protect you from sexually transmitted infections.
Know your body mass index (BMI) and weight classification
What Are Combined Oral Contraceptive Pills?
Simply put, these are birth control pills that help you avoid an unplanned pregnancy. The big difference is that they contain two main female hormones.
Those two hormones are estrogen and progestin. They work together inside your body to stop ovulation. This your ovaries do not release an egg.
When there is no egg ready, a sperm cannot fertilize it. These hormones also make the fluid in your cervix thicker so sperm have a harder time getting inside your uterus.
Some of these pill packs also contain levomefolate, which is a B vitamin. That is just another name for folic acid.
Makers add this extra ingredient to help protect a developing baby's nervous system. If pregnancy happens by chance, it lowers the risk of certain neural tube defects.
Things to Tell Your Doctor Before You Start
These pills do not fit everyone the same way. That is why you need to share your complete health history with your doctor.
If any of the health conditions listed below apply to you, speak up right away. Your doctor needs to know every detail to keep you safe.
| Health Conditions to Discuss With Your Doctor |
|---|
| History of blood clots in your blood vessels, stroke, or heart attacks |
| History of breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, or liver disease |
| Unexplained bleeding from your vagina that your doctor has not checked |
| Smoking cigarettes (especially if you are older than 35 years old) |
| High blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol levels |
| Frequent migraine headaches |
| Liver disease or kidney disease |
| If you are already pregnant or trying to get pregnant |
| If you are currently breastfeeding a baby |
How to Use These Pills Correctly
To get the best protection from your birth control pills, you must use them the right way every single day.
- Take them on time: Build a habit of taking your pill at the exact same time every day. Pick a time of day that is easy for you to remember.
- Follow the pack order: Take the pills in the exact order shown on your medicine pack. This order helps keep your hormone levels steady.
- Ease your stomach: Some people feel a little sick or nauseous when they start new pills. If that happens to you, take your pill right after a meal.
- What if you miss a pill?: If you miss one pill, read the leaflet that comes in your medicine box. Usually, you take the missed pill as soon as you remember, and take the next one at the normal time. But if you miss more than one pill, you face a higher risk of pregnancy that month. Use a backup method like condoms and ask your doctor if you feel unsure.
Emergency Warning
Think about a situation where someone takes too many pills by mistake. If that happens to you or someone else, do not wait. Go straight to the nearest hospital emergency department (ER / A&E) or call emergency services (911 in the US/Canada, 999 in the UK) right away for medical help.
Other Medicines That Can Clash With This Pill
Other medicines you take can change how well your birth control pills work. At the same time, birth control pills can change how other drugs work in your body.
Make sure you tell your doctor about every single item you take. This includes vitamins, herbal products, and everyday over-the-counter medicine.
| Medicine Type or Category | What You Need to Watch For |
|---|---|
| Certain antibiotic medicines | Can make your birth control pills less effective at stopping pregnancy. |
| Seizure medicines (such as carbamazepine or phenytoin) | May lower how well your birth control hormones work. |
| Medicines used for HIV or AIDS treatment | Can cause dangerous or unhelpful drug interactions. |
| St. John's Wort (an herbal product) | Greatly reduces how well birth control pills protect you. |
| Acetaminophen or paracetamol | Can interact with your hormones, so tell your doctor. |
Things to Watch While Taking These Pills
When you take birth control pills over a long time, you should keep a few daily safety habits in mind.
- Stay away from smoking: This point is critical. If you smoke cigarettes, especially if you are older than 35, taking these pills raises your risk of dangerous blood clots and strokes to very high levels. Stopping smoking is the best choice to protect your life.
- Keep up with regular checkups: Stay in touch with your doctor while you use these pills. Visit your clinic for regular breast checks, pelvic exams, and a Pap smear when your doctor suggests them.
- Protect your skin from the sun: These pills can make your skin more sensitive to bright sunlight. Wear sunscreen and put on a hat before you spend time outdoors.
- Tell your surgeon before operations: If you need to have a surgery planned, tell your surgical team about your pills. You might need to stop taking them for a short time before your procedure.
- Remember they do not stop infections: Birth control pills only prevent pregnancy. They do not protect you from HIV, AIDS, or any other sexually transmitted infections. You must use condoms or other barrier methods to stay safe from infections.
What Are the Possible Side Effects?
Like any medicine, birth control pills can cause side effects. Some side effects are mild. This others need quick medical attention.
| Serious Side Effects (Seek Medical Help Right Away) | Common Side Effects (Tell Your Doctor If They Continue) |
|---|---|
| Sudden and severe headaches or migraine attacks | Mild feelings of nausea or upset stomach |
| Pain in your chest or trouble breathing easily | Soreness or swelling in your breasts |
| Pain, swelling, or warmth in your leg or arm | Changes in your mood, like feeling angry or anxious |
| Sudden vision changes or trouble speaking clearly | Light bleeding or spotting between your regular periods |
| Sudden numbness or weakness in your face, arm, or leg | Small changes in your overall body weight |
| Yellow color in the whites of your eyes or on your skin | New skin blemishes or acne breakouts |
💡 Take-Home Message
Here are the most important points to keep in mind regarding your combined oral contraceptive pills:
- Always take your birth control pills strictly following your doctor's instructions.
- Tell your doctor about every other medicine you take and all your past health conditions.
- Never smoke while taking these pills, especially if you are older than 35 years old.
- Remember that these pills stop pregnancy, but they do not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
- If you feel unsure about anything or notice strange side effects, talk to your doctor right away instead of guessing.
Sources & References:
- World Health Organization (WHO). Family planning: A global handbook for providers.
- Cleveland Clinic. Combined Oral Contraceptive Pills: Benefits, Risks & Side Effects.
- Mayo Clinic. Birth control pills: Benefits, risks, and choices.
- NHS UK. Combined pill: How to take, side effects, and effectiveness.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use.
No comments yet. Be the first to share your question or experience below.