What Are Birth Control Pills?
Birth control pills, also known as
oral contraceptives, are prescription medications that are taken by mouth to prevent pregnancy. Many different kinds are currently available
(see List of Birth Control Pills). While all are approved for preventing pregnancy, some are approved for additional uses.
Birth control pills contain hormones that act in a few different ways to prevent pregnancy. Most are classified as combined oral contraceptives and contain two different types of hormones: an estrogen and a progestin. The hormones in combined oral contraceptives prevent pregnancy primarily by stopping ovulation (the maturation and release of eggs from the ovaries). However, they also work to prevent pregnancy in two other, less important ways. Birth control pills change the cervical mucus (the fluid of the cervix, which is the lower, narrow part of the uterus that is connected to the vagina), making it more difficult for sperm to enter the uterus. They also alter the lining of the uterus (the endometrium), making it less receptive to an embryo.
Some birth control pills contain just a progestin and no estrogen. These are known as progestin-only contraceptives. These pills rely more heavily on changes in the cervical mucus and uterine lining, since they are less effective at preventing ovulation (only about half of the women who take them stop ovulating). In comparison, combined oral contraceptives stop ovulation in almost all women when taken correctly.
Different Kinds of Birth Control Pills
There are several different types of birth control pills, and they can be categorized in a few different ways. One basic way to categorize them is by the hormone content (combined versus progestin-only). Birth control pills are also divided into types by the different "phases" in each pack (monophasic versus biphasic versus triphasic). Some newer pills are classified as extended-cycle birth control pills, which reduce or eliminate the number of menstrual periods per year. Sometimes, they are categorized by the strength of the hormones (low-dose versus high-dose).
When and How to Use Birth Control Pills
General considerations for when and how to use birth control pills include the following:
- Birth control pills come in tablet form. They are taken by mouth once a day.
- You can take them with or without food. If the pills bother your stomach, try taking them with food.
- It is important to take birth control pills every day and at the same time each day. Try to pick a time that will be easy to remember, such as at bedtime or breakfast. If you have trouble remembering, please talk with your healthcare provider, as missing pills increases your risk of pregnancy.
- Make sure you know exactly what to do if you miss any pills. In some circumstances, you may need to use a backup method of contraception, such as condoms, for seven days. Each pack of birth control pills comes with a leaflet, describing in detail how to start the pills and what to do if you miss any. Because these instructions may be different for different kinds of birth control pills, make sure to follow the instructions for your specific kind.
- Although birth control pills are usually quite effective when taken properly, taking them incorrectly greatly increases your risk of unintentional pregnancy.
(For more information on how to take your specific birth control pill, look up your pill by name on emedtv.com.)
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with birth control pills. However, not all women who use them will experience side effects. In fact, most women tolerate them quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Common side effects include but are not limited to:
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Birth Control Pills?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to using birth control pills if you have:
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What If I Take an Overdose?
Women who take an overdose of birth control pills may experience the following symptoms:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Vaginal bleeding
- Other menstrual irregularities.
How Should Birth Control Pills Be Stored?
Keep the pills in their original package. The packaging is designed to help you remember to take the tablets each day and in the right order. Keep the package at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.
Keep this and all other medications out of the reach of children.
Missing doses of birth control pills increases the risk of pregnancy. What you should do depends on how many tablets you have missed and where exactly you are in your cycle. Refer to the patient information that comes with each pack of pills or consult your healthcare provider if you are not sure what to do.
Generic Birth Control Pills
Currently, many, but not all, birth control pills are available in generic form. Interestingly, all generic pills use their own "brand" names, not the usual generic names
(see Generic Birth Control Pills for more information).
