Most of the time, when a woman thinks about family planning, the first thing that comes to mind is birth control pills. These now come in many different types. Today, we are going to talk about a slightly more special type of birth control pill, the chewable pill. If you are a user of this pill, or if you are interested in learning more about it, this article will be very important to you. Let's talk about it in a simple and straightforward way.
What does this pill actually do to our bodies?
Simply put, it is a combination of two hormones. These are estrogen and progestin . Its main function is to prevent pregnancy. It does this by stopping your body from ovulating, which is when an egg is released from an ovary. Without an egg, there is nothing for a sperm to fertilize, so pregnancy cannot occur.
Another advantage of this is that this type of pill also helps some people control acne. Also, you may have noticed that some of the pills on the pill card you are using are brown in color. They contain ferrous fumarate , which is iron. This helps to somewhat control the iron deficiency that occurs during menstruation.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting this medication
This is very important. This medicine is not suitable for everyone. Therefore, it is essential that you tell your doctor the whole truth about your health condition. Do not hide anything. Especially if you have any of the conditions below, be sure to inform your doctor.
| Do you have these conditions? | Why is it important to tell the doctor ? |
|---|---|
| Smoking (especially if you are over 35) | The risk of blood clots and stroke is greatly increased. |
| A history of high blood pressure, heart disease, blood vessel disease, or blood clots | These pills can increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots. |
| A history of breast, cervical, liver, or uterine cancer | Hormone-dependent cancers may worsen. |
| Frequent severe migraine headaches | It may sometimes worsen migraines or increase the risk of stroke. |
| Diabetes, high cholesterol, liver or kidney disease | These pills can affect the management of these conditions. |
| If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or are a breastfeeding mother | This type of pill is not suitable at all in such cases. |
| Autoimmune diseases such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) | It can affect the condition of the disease. |
How to use the pill correctly?
This is very simple, but very important.
- Chew and drink: Chew this tablet completely, then drink a glass of water. Alternatively, you can swallow the tablet whole with water. However, if you chew and drink it, be sure to drink water.
- Same time every day: This is the most important thing. The effectiveness of your medicine depends on this habit. So choose a time that is convenient for you and that you can remember every day. It is a good idea to set an alarm on your phone.
- In order on the pill card: The pill card has a sequence marked with days and arrows. Take the pills in that order.
- What to do about nausea: Some people may experience mild nausea after taking this pill. To reduce this, take the pill with or after a meal.
What to do if you miss a pill?
Oh, I forgot to take my pill today! This happens to many people. Don't worry. The patient package insert that comes with your medicine clearly states what to do if you miss a pill. Read it carefully. In general, if you miss more than one pill, the effectiveness of the medicine may be reduced. In such cases, it is safest to use an additional form of birth control, such as condoms, until the end of the month.
What if I drink too much by mistake?
If you think you have accidentally taken too many pills, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital, or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Other things that may interact with this pill (Interactions)
Some other medications, vitamins, and even herbal products that you take while taking this birth control pill can affect the effectiveness of this pill. This means that the effectiveness of the birth control pill may be reduced, and there may be a risk of unintended pregnancy. Therefore, tell your doctor about every medication you take, even a vitamin, even an Ayurvedic medicine .
The table below shows some of the things that may interact with this pill.
| Type of medicine/substance | Things to watch out for |
|---|---|
| Some antibiotics | Medicines used to treat tuberculosis, especially Rifampin, reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. |
| Medicines for epilepsy/ seizures | Medications such as Carbamazepine, Phenytoin, and Topiramate can also reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. |
| St. John's Wort (herbal product) | This herb, which some people take for stress, may cause birth control pills to become ineffective. |
| Some medications given for HIV/AIDS | Problems can occur with medications like ritonavir. |
Side effects to be aware of when taking medication
Like any medicine, this one can have side effects. Some of them are normal and go away in a few days. But there are some things we need to be very careful about.
| Symptom | What to do |
|---|---|
| Serious symptoms that require immediate medical attention | |
| Sudden pain, swelling, and redness in the leg (may be a sign of a blood clot) | Go to a hospital immediately. |
| Sudden chest pain, difficulty breathing | Go to a hospital immediately. |
| Sudden numbness, weakness, or slurred speech in the face, arm, or leg (signs of a stroke) | Go to a hospital immediately. |
| Yellowing of the eyes, yellowing of the skin, dark urine, pain in the upper right part of the stomach (signs of liver disease) | See a doctor immediately. |
| Symptoms that are common but should be reported to the doctor if they are bothersome | |
| Breast pain or tightness | If it persists, tell the doctor. |
| Slight bleeding during menstruation (spotting) | It's normal for the first 2-3 months. If it persists, tell your doctor. |
| Nausea, mood swings, slight weight changes | It usually subsides as the body gets used to the medication. If it bothers you, tell your doctor. |
Most importantly, these family planning pills do not protect you from HIV (AIDS) or other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). For that, it is essential to use a barrier method such as condoms.
Take-Home Message
- It is very important to take this birth control pill at the same time every day.
- If you are a smoker, especially over the age of 35, taking these pills greatly increases your risk of blood clots and stroke. Talk to your doctor about this.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about any other medications, vitamins, or herbal products you are taking.
- These pills do not provide any protection against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs/HIV).
- If you experience any serious side effects such as swelling of the legs, difficulty breathing, or difficulty speaking, seek medical advice immediately.
- This medicine is for you only. Never share your medicine with others.
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