Many women and young girls use birth control pills not only for family planning. Sometimes doctors also recommend them to control acne, regulate menstruation, or for other hormone-related problems. So today we are talking about a type of family planning pill that is commonly used, made by combining two types of hormones. You also have a lot of questions about this, don't you? Let's talk about it all very simply, in a way that you can understand.
What kind of medicine is this?
Simply put, this is a birth control pill. Medically speaking, this is an oral contraceptive . It mainly contains two types of female hormones. These are estrogen and progestin .
This combination of hormones temporarily stops your body from ovulating, which is when an egg is released from an ovary. If an egg is not released, pregnancy cannot occur. It also prevents pregnancy in other ways, such as by thickening the cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to enter.
You may have noticed that some pill cards have brown or other colored pills. These pills do not contain hormones, but iron (Ferrous Fumarate) . These iron pills are given to prevent iron deficiency from occurring in the body due to light bleeding that occurs during the days when there is no hormone.
Is this medicine right for you? Things you need to tell your doctor
This is very important. Before starting this medication, you should give your doctor a complete description of your health condition. Only then will he be able to decide whether this medication is safe for you or not. Be sure to tell him/her if you have any of the following conditions:
| Tell your doctor if you have these conditions. |
|---|
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This is very important for your safety. Don't hide this information. Talk honestly with your doctor.
How exactly do you use this medicine?
Order and timing are very important in this.
- Take it at the same time every day: Choose a time that is easy for you to remember. For example, every night after dinner or before bed. It's also a good idea to set a reminder on your phone.
- Take the pills in the order shown on the pill card: Take your pills every day in the order shown by the arrows on the pill card. Do not skip them.
- Taking with food: Some people may experience nausea when taking these pills. To reduce this, it is best to take the pill with or after a meal.
- If you forget to take a pill: If you forget to take a pill, read the instructions that come with the medicine packet. Usually, you should take the missed pill as soon as you remember and then take the next pill at the scheduled time that day. However, if you miss more than one pill, the birth control effectiveness of this medicine may be reduced. Therefore, it is wise to use an additional method of birth control, such as a condom, for the next 7 days. Also, talk to your doctor for advice.
What if I accidentally take too many pills?
Don't panic. But you should seek medical advice immediately. You can call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
If you are taking medication for another condition while taking these family planning pills, there may be interactions between the two medications. This means that one medication can increase or decrease the effectiveness of the other. Therefore, tell your doctor about all medications you are taking.
| Type of medicine | Possible impact |
|---|---|
| Some antibiotics (e.g. Rifampin) | The effectiveness of the birth control pill may decrease. |
| Some medications for epilepsy (e.g. Carbamazepine, Phenytoin) | The effectiveness of the birth control pill may decrease. |
| St. John's wort (herbal supplement) | The effectiveness of the birth control pill may decrease. |
| Some medications for HIV/AIDS | Interactions may occur. |
This list is not complete, so be sure to tell your doctor about any medications, vitamins, herbal products, or supplements you are taking.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, these pills can cause side effects in some people. Most of the time, these are not serious and go away as the body gets used to the medicine. However, we should be aware of some serious symptoms.
| 🚨 Serious side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Symptoms of a blood clot | Sudden pain, swelling, redness in the leg; difficulty breathing, chest pain. |
| Symptoms of a Stroke | Sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the face, arm, or leg; difficulty speaking; vision changes; severe headache. |
| Liver disorders | Severe pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, and pale stools. |
| Other | Severe chest pain, worsening migraines, worsening depression, unusual vaginal bleeding. |
| ✅ Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
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Other things to be aware of when taking these pills
- Smoking and Risk: As we mentioned earlier, smoking while taking these pills greatly increases the risk of blood clots and stroke. This risk is especially high if you are over 35. Therefore, it is essential for your safety to completely avoid smoking if you are taking this medication.
- No protection against sexually transmitted diseases: This is something to keep in mind. These pills only prevent pregnancy. They do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like HIV (AIDS). For that, you must definitely use a barrier method like a condom.
- Medical tests: While taking this medicine, it is important to have regular medical tests (e.g., Pap smear, breast exam) as directed by your doctor.
- Sun sensitivity: Some people may have more sensitive skin to the sun while taking this medication. Therefore, it is a good idea to use sunscreen when going out in the sun.
Take-Home Message
- Take these pills at the same time every day, exactly as your doctor has instructed.
- Tell your doctor about any other medications, vitamins, or herbal products you are taking.
- If you are a smoker, especially if you are over 35, your risk of blood clots and stroke is very high. It is essential to quit smoking.
- These birth control pills do not provide any protection against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. Use another method, such as a condom.
- If you experience any severe symptoms such as severe headache, chest pain, leg swelling and pain, or difficulty speaking, seek medical advice immediately.
- If you suspect you are pregnant, stop taking the pill and see your doctor immediately.
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