Many women use birth control pills as a method of family planning. But do you really know about the pill you are taking, what it does to your body, and how to use it correctly? Your doctor may have told you about this, but you may have forgotten some facts. So today we are talking about a type of birth control pill that is widely used in our country, and one that many people have problems with.
What kind of medicine is this?
Simply put, this is a pill that contains a combination of two hormones. These hormones are estrogen and progestin . The common name for this pill is Combined Oral Contraceptive Pills.
What does this do? It's very simple. These pills stop your ovaries from releasing an egg, a process called ovulation. If an egg isn't released, there's no way you can get pregnant, right? That's the basic process of this pill. It also thickens the mucus in the cervix, making it harder for sperm to enter.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting this medication
This is very important. If you have any of the following medical conditions, or have had them in the past, it is imperative that you inform your doctor before starting this medication. This is because using this medication with certain medical conditions can be risky.
| Condition/Occasion | Why should you inform? |
|---|---|
| Blood clots in blood vessels or related diseases | These pills may slightly increase the risk of blood clots, so it is important to inform your doctor if you have a history of this. |
| Cancers such as breast, cervix, uterus, liver | Hormone-dependent cancers may worsen. |
| High blood pressure | These pills can further increase blood pressure. |
| Heart disease or a recent heart attack | May increase the risk of heart disease. |
| Diabetes | As it can affect blood sugar levels, the doctor should be informed. |
| Migraine | Some people may experience increased or new migraines. |
| Liver or kidney disease | The process of removing medication from the body may be affected. |
| Smoking | The risk of blood clots and stroke increases significantly, especially if you are over 35 years old. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant | This medicine should not be taken during pregnancy. |
| If you are a breastfeeding mother | It is important to seek medical advice as it may affect milk. |
How should I use the medicine?
Order and timing are the most important things in this.
- Drink at the same time every day: Choose a time that is convenient for you and that you can remember every day. For example, every night after dinner. Setting an alarm on your phone can be very helpful.
- Take the pills in the order shown on the pill card: Take the pills in the order shown by the days and arrows on the pill card. Do not skip them.
- Take with food: Some people may experience mild nausea or stomach upset after taking this pill. If this happens, eat some food before taking the pill.
- Read the patient package insert: Read the patient package insert that comes with your medicine carefully. It contains very important information.
What if I forget to take a pill?
We forget things. That's normal. But you have to be a little careful when taking birth control pills.
- If you miss a pill: Take the missed pill as soon as you remember. Take the next pill at the scheduled time. You may need to take two pills in the same day.
- If you miss two or more pills: The effectiveness of the pills may be reduced here. So, check your medicine label or talk to your doctor right away . They will often advise you to use another form of birth control (e.g. condoms) for the next 7 days.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have accidentally taken too much of this medicine, do not panic. Immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Special considerations when taking this medicine
Most importantly, these birth control pills do not protect you from HIV (AIDS) or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). For that, it is essential to use a barrier method such as a condom.
- Smoking and Risk: As we have already mentioned, smoking while taking these pills is very dangerous, especially for women over the age of 35. The risk of blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes is greatly increased. Therefore, we strongly advise against smoking altogether.
- Before surgery: If you have a planned surgery, ask your doctor if you need to stop taking these pills before it.
- Regular medical checkups: While taking this medication, it is important to see your doctor at regular intervals for checkups. It is important to have breast exams and Pap smears.
- Sun sensitivity: Some people may experience increased sunburn while taking this medication. Therefore, use sunscreen and cover up when going out in the sun.
- Gum problems: Rarely, some women may experience bleeding or swelling of the gums. It is important to brush and floss your teeth well. If you have such a problem, inform your dentist.
What are the possible side effects of the medication?
Like any medicine, this one can cause side effects in some people. Some of them are serious, some of them are common.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Things to report to your doctor or ETU immediately | |
| Symptoms of a blood clot | Sudden pain, swelling, and warmth in the leg; difficulty breathing; chest pain. |
| Symptoms of a Stroke | Numbness or weakness on one side of the face, arm, or leg; difficulty speaking; severe headache; change in vision. |
| Symptoms of liver damage | Pain in the upper right side of the stomach, loss of appetite, yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine. |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue. |
| Changes in mental status | Conditions such as new or worsening depression. |
| Things that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Nausea | This can often be avoided by taking the pill with food. |
| Breast pain or tightness | It is most common in the first few months. |
| Spotting | Light bleeding during monthly periods. |
| Weight gain | Some women have to experience this. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you experience anything unusual in addition to these, it is best to talk to your doctor.
Take-Home Message
- It is essential to take birth control pills at the same time every day.
- Before starting this medication, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and all other medications you are taking.
- Smoking while taking these pills is very dangerous , especially if you are over 35.
- Although birth control pills prevent pregnancy, they do not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV (AIDS) . Use condoms for that.
- If you experience serious symptoms such as severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, swelling in a leg, or a severe headache, go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
- If you have any questions about this medicine, don't believe what you find on the internet, ask your doctor.
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