If you are looking for an easy and effective contraceptive method, birth control pills may be the right choice for you. In this article, you will learn everything there is to know about proper birth control pill use, when to begin taking the pills, the different types available, and more.
Understanding how birth control pills work is crucial to ensure maximum efficacy. We recommend consulting a contraception specialist in South Miami if you need further guidance and advice. Your specialists will help answer any doubts you may have about the Pill.
With that in mind, here are the must-know facts about these oral contraceptives. Keep reading.
Firstly, What are Birth Control Pills?
Before learning about when to start birth control, it is crucial to understand what birth control pills are. In short, they are medicine with certain hormones. They are available in packs, and you take one pill each day.
If you always take the pill at the right time daily, it is a safe, effective, and affordable contraceptive method that prevents pregnancy. Moreover, birth control pills can regulate menstrual cycles, help clear up acne, and may even lower the risk of certain cancers.
Before starting birth control, you will need to talk to your doctor. If you are in the area or looking for the best professionals, we suggest reaching out to OB-GYNs located in Miami, FL.
What are the Types of Birth Control Pills?
There are two types of birth control pills:
- Progestin-only pills
- Combination pills
Progestin-only Pills are also known as Mini Pills or POPs, and they contain one type of hormone, progestin. If you need a contraception pill without estrogen, your doctor will likely prescribe progestin-only pills. To prevent pregnancy, you will have to take these pills within the same three hours each day.
However, there is one exception to this, and that is Slynd, a particular type of mini pill. Although you do not need to take this pill within the same three hours each day, medical experts recommend doing so. It is best to have your schedule and adhere to it.
On the flip side, Combination Pills or COCs contain two hormones, progestin, and estrogen. These types of birth control pills are the most widely used and prescribed by healthcare professionals.
As long as you ingest one pill each day, you are protected from unwanted pregnancy. Although you do not need to take the combination pill at the same time daily, we recommend sticking to a strict schedule. This way, you will build the habit of taking the drug each day at roughly the same time.
So, to sum it up, there are two types of birth control pills, progestin-only, and combination pills. Depending on your preferences and unique needs, your doctor will prescribe the right choice for you.
Combination pills are available in different blends of inactive and active pills, depending on how frequently you want to have your menstrual cycle. These blends include:
- Extended cycle or continuous dosing: These birth control packs usually provide seven inactive or placebo pills and 84 active pills. When you take the placebo pills, you will experience bleeding. To avoid bleeding, you can also get formulations with only active pills.
- Conventional: These packs provide seven inactive pills and 21 active pills. Alternatively, some packages contain four inactive or placebo pills and 24 active pills. When you take the placebo pills, you will experience bleeding.
Combination oral contraceptives are further categorized into multiphasic and monophasic pills.
Multiphasic pills provide different amounts of hormones from the active pills, while monophasic pills contain the same amount of progestin and estrogen per pill.
The majority of combination pills will contain from 10 to 35 micrograms of Ethinyl estradiol (a type of estrogen). Although low-dose oral contraceptives may cause increased breakthrough bleeding, they are more suitable for women sensitive to hormones.
On the flip side, higher-dose pills will not cause as much spotting or bleeding between menstrual cycles.
Before starting birth control, you will want to talk to your doctor about your options. Remember, not all birth control types are suitable for everyone. Your healthcare provider will ask you about any medications and your medical history to check which oral contraceptive is the right choice.
Your healthcare provider may discourage birth control pill use if you:
- Are older than 35
- Are a smoker
- Have a history of breast cancer or heart disease
- Have unexplained uterine bleeding
- Have recently given birth
- Have a blood clotting disorder
- Use St. John’s wort
When to Start Birth Control?
Starting birth control can be daunting, but it is easier than you might believe.
As soon as you get your first pack of birth control pills, you can begin using them. This means that you can start taking birth control pills any time and even during your regular menstrual cycle.
However, if you take birth control pills to prevent unwanted pregnancy, you will want to be mindful of two things. Firstly, the type of birth control pill and when you begin oral contraceptive use will determine when you will be protected from pregnancy.
We recommend using an additional birth control method such as condoms for the initial seven days. For best results, talk to your doctor or nurse about when to start birth control. If you are using combination pills, you can begin with your first pack at any time. Note that if you start taking these pills within five days after your menstrual cycle begins, you will be protected from unwanted pregnancy straight away. However, if you take COCs any other time, you need to take them for seven days before you are fully protected from pregnancy.
On the same note, you can begin using mini pills or progestin-only pills at any time. You will be protected from undesired pregnancy after two days or 48 hours on them.
Keep in mind that the pill does not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases. Although contraceptive pills will help with undesired pregnancy, it is best to always use a condom to lower the chances of spreading and getting STDs.
What Do I Do If I Miss My Oral Contraceptives?
If you forgot to take your combined birth control pill, you could take it as soon as you remember. If you have missed one pill, experts recommend:
- Take the last pill you missed immediately (even if you may need to take two pills in one day).
- Continue with the rest of the pack normally.
- Take the seven-day pill-free break normally, or if you are on the everyday pill, take the placebo.
In this case, you do not need to use added contraception.
However, if you have missed two or more contraceptive pills in your pack or you began a new pack two or more days later, you will need to use added protection against pregnancy.
If you are in doubt and unsure what to do next, take these three steps:
- Continue taking your pill regularly
- Use another contraception method such as a condom
- Alternatively, abstain from sexual intercourse
- Get professional advice immediately
Talk to your doctor for expert guidance on what to do if you miss one or more pills.
Are you or a loved one considering birth control pills? Consult OB-GYN Specialists of South Miami and book a schedule today.