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Information and Instructions
The Facts
Thousands of studies have been done on the pill. None have been able to
prove that the pill causes breast cancer. Taking the pill does not cause
infertility problems, either. If you have been on pills for several years,
there is no reason to take a vacation from the pill. In fact, the longer a
woman takes the pill, the more protection it provides against endometrial and
ovarian cancer.
There are many brands of contraceptive pills. Most women are happy with the
first kind they take. In most instances, weight change is minimal and unrelated
to pill use. Approximately as many women lose weight as gain weight while
taking the pill. In some women, however, weight gain is definitely caused by
oral contraceptives and can be related to fluid retention or in creased
subcutaneous fat. If you notice a weight change of more than 5 pounds, speak
with your health care provider. More often women experience temporary side
effects of a different nature in the first few months while adjusting to the
oral contraceptive. Common complaints include bleeding or spotting on the
active pills, breast tenderness, changes in your skin, a mild stomach ache or
nausea, and some times, mild mood changes. Most often these side effects go
away. If they do not, your health care provider can change the kind of pill you
use. Call to make an appointment to discuss a possible pill change.
Taking the pill cannot prevent you from getting sexually transmitted
diseases (STDs). In fact, several studies have suggested that use of oral
contraceptives was the single strongest predictor of failure to use condoms,
even stronger than alcohol. The theory is that if the pregnancy threat is
removed, couples are less likely to protect themselves against sexually
transmitted diseases.
How to Use The Pill
First, you must decide on a time of day or a consistent daily activity that
will help you remember to take your pill. Taking your pill at the same time
each day keeps the hormone level in your body at the necessary level to prevent
pregnancy. Taking the pill at different times of the day can cause spotting.
You will be instructed on what day to start your pills.
Sunday start: start your pack of pills on the Sunday
following the first day of your period. If you begin your period on Sunday,
start your pills that day. Use a back-up method of birth control such as
condoms plus spermacide for the first 2 weeks of your first birth control pill
cycle.
First day of period: start your pill pack the very first
day of your menstrual period. As with the Sunday start, a back-up method of
birth control must be used for the first 2 weeks of your first cycle of
pills.
Your pill pack contains 3 weeks of pills with hormones in them and one week
of placebo pills. Please make sure to take your pills in the correct order. You
will get your period on the placebo week. Most women start their period on
Tuesday of the placebo week but it can be as late as Thurs day and as ear ly as
Monday. When you get to the placebo week, make sure you have another pack for
the next cycle. You must start your next cycle of pills on time. If you start
your pill cycle late you must use an other form of contraceptive for 7 days
after you start the pills; i.e. condoms and spermacide.
Cautions
If you have diarrhea or vom it ing, use another form of birth control while
you are ill and for 1 week af ter wards. You may not be absorbing the pill as
well as you would if you were healthy. If you vomit within 1 hour of taking
your pill, you must re-take the pill. You can take the next pill which will
mean that your cycle of pills will end a day earlier. You will need to start
your next pack of pills a day early in order to avoid lengthening the hormone
free interval of the cycle. Alternatively, you may replace the wasted pill by
taking one from a spare pill pack.
Missed Pills: What to do
Take the missed pill as soon as you remember it. Take the next pill at the
usual time. If you do not remember until your usual pill time, take the 2 pills
together. Additional pregnancy protection is needed for 7 days.
If you miss 2 pills in a row, take 2 pills for 2 days. Return to your
regular pill cycle on the 3rd day. Additional preg nan cy protection is need ed
for the remainder of the pill cycle. Never take more than 2 pills in a 24 hour
period.
When to Call Your Health Care Provider
Please call right away if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Severe chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- A severe headache that makes you dizzy or weak or that happens at the same
time as numbness in your face, neck, or arms
- Temporary blindness or blurred vision
- Difficulty talking
- Severe pain in your calf or thigh
Oral contraceptive pills are medication. Always tell your health care
provider that you are taking them.
If you are given a prescription for another medication, be sure to ask
either your health care provider or your pharmacist about drug interactions
with oral contraceptives. In general, drugs such as antibiotics can interfere
with the pill's efficacy and a back-up method must be used for every day that
you are on the medication plus 1 week. Also, be sure to use sunscreen, as
estrogens make you more photosensitive.
If you have any questions or if any of this information is unclear,
please be sure to speak with one of the providers in the Women's Health
Program. The telephone number for an appointment is 646-9401.
Be Safe and Be Well!
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