Many people now use birth control pills as a family planning method, right? But how many of them really know about it? Perhaps your doctor has prescribed one of these pills for you. There are different types of these. Today, we will talk about what these hormonal birth control pills are, how they work, and what you need to be careful about while using them.
What are these birth control pills?
Simply put, these are a type of medication used to prevent pregnancy. These are called oral contraceptives . The specific pill type we're talking about in this article contains a combination of two types of female hormones.
- Estrogen
- Progestin
These two hormones work together to stop your body from ovulating , which is the release of an egg from an ovary. If an egg is not released, there is no way for pregnancy to occur.
In addition, some of these pill cards also contain ferrous fumarate , which is iron. These are given during menstruation, that is, on the days when you are not taking the pill, to prevent iron deficiency anemia.
Things you should tell your doctor before taking medication
Before you start using this medicine, you should definitely tell your doctor if you have any of the following health conditions. This is very important for your safety.
| Health condition or opportunity | Description |
|---|---|
| Cancer | If you have or have had breast, cervical, uterine, ovarian or liver cancer. |
| Blood-related problems | If you have had blood vessel disease, blood clots, or a stroke. |
| Heart disease | Heart disease, recent heart attack, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or irregular heartbeat. |
| Other diseases | Diabetes, liver or kidney disease, gallbladder disease, lupus, migraine headaches. |
| Other points | If you smoke tobacco or cigarettes, have recently had a baby, have had a miscarriage, are preparing for surgery, or have unusual vaginal bleeding. |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. |
| Allergies | If you have an allergy to estrogen, progestin, or any other medicine or food. |
How should I use the medicine?
The way this medicine is used is very important.
- Take it at the same time every day: Take your medicine at the same time every day, as prescribed by your doctor. Take the pills in the order listed on the pill card.
- How to take: You can chew these tablets or swallow them whole with water. If you chew them, be sure to drink a full glass of water afterward.
- Reduce nausea: Some people feel nauseous when taking these pills. If this happens, take the pill with a meal.
- Don't stop: Continue taking the medicine until your doctor tells you to stop.
What if I forget to take a pill?
If you forget to take a pill one day, check the instructions that come with the pill. Usually, if you miss a pill, you are told to take it as soon as you remember and then take the next pill at the usual time. However, if you miss more than one pill, the pill may be less effective. In such cases, it is safer to use an additional form of birth control, such as condoms , for 7 days. If you are in doubt about this, ask your doctor.
Overdose
If you think you have accidentally taken too much of this medicine, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Never share it with anyone else.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
Other medications you are taking can affect the way these birth control pills work. And these pills can affect the way other medications work. So, tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins, herbal remedies, and Ayurvedic medicines).
| Do not take birth control pills with these. | |
|---|---|
| Some medications that treat Hepatitis C virus (e.g. Dasabuvir; ombitasvir; paritaprevir; ritonavir) | |
| Interactions may occur with these medications. | |
| Antibiotics and antifungals | Especially Rifampin, Griseofulvin, Penicillins, Tetracyclines. |
| Medicines for epilepsy | Such as Phenobarbital, Carbamazepine, Phenytoin, Topiramate. |
| Other | Acetaminophen (Paracetamol), Atorvastatin (for cholesterol), diabetes medication, HIV/AIDS medication, St. John's Wort (an herbal extract), Warfarin (a blood thinner), thyroid hormones. |
*This is not a complete list. Therefore, it is very important to inform your doctor about all medications you are taking.*
Things to consider when taking the medicine
- Medical checkups: While taking this medication, see your doctor at regular intervals. It is important to have regular checkups such as breast exams and Pap smears.
- Avoid smoking: This is very important! If you are a smoker, especially if you are over 35, your risk of blood clots and stroke is much higher while taking this medication. So the best thing you can do is to completely avoid smoking.
- Swelling in the body: Some people may experience swelling in areas such as the fingers, hands, or ankles. Blood pressure may also increase. If you experience this, tell your doctor .
- Sun sensitivity: This medication may make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Therefore, if you are going to be in the sun, wear clothing that covers your skin and use sunscreen.
- Contact Lenses: If you wear contact lenses, see your eye doctor if you notice any changes in your vision or feel uncomfortable wearing your lenses.
- No protection against sexually transmitted diseases:
- Birth control pills are a medication that should only be taken on the advice of a doctor.
- Tell your doctor about all your health conditions and all other medications you are taking.
- If you are over 35 and smoke, the risks of taking these pills are very high. Avoid smoking completely.
- These pills only prevent pregnancy. They do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.
- If a serious side effect occurs, seek medical advice immediately.
Important: These birth control pills only prevent pregnancy. They do not protect you from HIV (AIDS) or other sexually transmitted diseases. You must use a barrier method, such as condoms, to prevent pregnancy.
What side effects might I experience?
Like any medication, birth control pills can cause some side effects. Some are serious, some are common.
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergies | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Symptoms of a blood clot | Leg pain, swelling or warmth, difficulty breathing, chest pain. |
| Symptoms of a Stroke | Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, difficulty speaking, confusion, difficulty walking, severe headache. |
| Liver disorders | Pain in the upper right side of the stomach, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stools, dark yellow/brown urine, yellowing of the eyes or skin. |
| Other serious symptoms | Increased blood pressure, new or increasing migraines, mood changes such as depression, and abnormal vaginal discharge. |
| If it persists or is bothersome, tell your doctor. | |
| Breast pain | Feeling pain or tightness in the breasts. |
| Changes in the menstrual cycle | Irregular menstruation or light bleeding (spotting) during menstruation. |
| Other | Nausea, weight gain, dark spots on the face or sun-exposed skin. |
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