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Birth
control pills contain artificial hormones (chemicals that are like the
ones a woman’s body makes naturally) that prevent pregnancy.
There are two different types: combination pills
which contain estrogen and progestin hormones. They stop a woman
from ovulating, or in other words, it stops her body from releasing an
egg from the ovaries (check out the Pregnancy Section
for more information on ovulation). They also thicken the mucus
around the cervix which basically keeps the sperm from getting to the
egg. The second type of birth control pills are called mini-pills
and they only contain the progestin hormone. They thicken the
cervical mucus which stops the sperm from getting to the egg.
Mini-pills can also stop the release of an egg in some women, but that
is not the main way they prevent pregnancy. |
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| The pill does NOT
prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Male and female
condoms are the only forms of birth control that also offer protection
against STIs. |
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How to use the mini-pill:
They come in a pack that will contain 28 pills. Each pill
contains hormones, so a pill must be taken at the same time every day
to work effectively. Remember to check the expiration date on the pack
of pills! How to use combination pills: They come in a pack that will either contain 21 pills or 28 pills. For the 28 pill
packs, there are three weeks of active pills (pills that actually
contain hormones) and one week of placebo (pills that don’t contain any
hormones). Take a pill at the same time every day. For 21 pill
packs, there are three weeks of active pills (pills that actually
contain hormones). Take a pill at the same time every day.
After finishing the pack, don’t take any pills for the next 7
days. After 7 days start the next pack of pills. Remember
to check the expiration date on the pack of pills!
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Side effects of combination pills
can include nausea (feeling like throwing up), weight gain, headaches,
breast tenderness, and changes in desire to have sex and mood.
For most women, these side effects disappear within 3 to 6 months.
The most common side effect of mini-pills
is irregular bleeding or spotting between periods. Some women get
no period at all. Other side effects are nausea and breast
tenderness. |
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The pill is a safe, effective and easy way to prevent pregnancy, but
some women find it hard to remember to take the pill every day at the
same time. If a woman forgets to take a pill, she can check the
instructions that came with her pills to find out what to do
next. It’s also a good idea to call a family planning provider or
doctor to get more specific instructions or ask about taking emergency contraception if she’s at risk for pregnancy.
Cigarette
smoking increases the risk of serious side effects (i.e. stroke, blood
clots, and heart attacks). The risk increases with age (over 35)
and heavy smoking (15 cigarettes or more a day). Many women
consider quitting smoking when they want to start using birth control
pills. If you are a smoker, you can ask your doctor for help to
quit or if the mini-pill could be an option for you.
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A
woman can only get it by prescription, but getting a prescription can
be easy! She can get one through her doctor/nurse practitioner,
or through a family planning clinic. She can fill the
prescription at a pharmacy, a health clinic or a family planning clinic. |
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Between
$15 - $50 a month. If you have health insurance, it may pay for all or
part of the cost. If you don't have health insurance or don't
want to use your parents' insurance, family planning clinics provide the pill at a lower cost. |
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The pill is 92% to 99% effective. Some medications, like antibiotics, can make the pill less effective.
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