How do you take birth control for beginners?

How do you take birth control for beginners?

How do you take birth control for beginners?

Quick start. During your medical appointment, take your first pill as soon as you get the pack from your doctor. Take the second pill the next day. During the first 7 days of pills, use a backup method of birth control, like a condom.

When do you start taking birth control pills?

First Day Start – Take your first pill during the first 24 hours of your menstrual cycle. No back-up contraceptive method is needed when the pill is started the first day of your menses. Sunday Start – Wait until the first Sunday after your menstrual cycle begins to take your first pill.

What happens when you take birth control for the first time?

As your body reacts and adjusts to the increase and initial fluctuations in hormone levels that take place when you start the pill, it is not uncommon to experience any of the following side effects: Nausea (due to suddenly high levels of estrogen) Headaches. Breast tenderness.

When do you start birth control pills?

You can start taking birth control pills as soon as you get them — any day of the week, and anytime during your menstrual cycle. But when you’ll be protected from pregnancy depends on when you start and the kind of pill you’re using. You may need to use a backup birth control method (like condoms) for up to 7 days.

How are birth control pills supposed to be taken?

The birth control pill is a type of contraception that contains hormones that prevent pregnancy. People call it “the pill” because it comes in pill form. Women take the pill orally (by mouth) once a day. The pill is most effective when you take it consistently at the same time each day.

What’s the best way to take birth control pills?

Take the late or skipped dose right away. Take the rest of the pills in your pack on your regular schedule, even if you must take two pills on the same day. Take the most recent missed pill as soon as possible and throw out any others that you missed.

When do you start taking combination birth control pills?

If you start combination pills any other time, you need to take the pill for 7 days before you’re protected from pregnancy. Use another method of birth control — like a condom — if you have penis-in-vagina sex during the first week on the pill. You can start progestin-only pills at any time.

How often should you take birth control pills?

You take one pill at the same time each day for a full year. Your periods may get lighter or stop altogether. Take your pill every day at the same time. This is especially important if you’re on the progestin-only minipill, which has a smaller margin for error than regular pills with both estrogen and progestin.

When to take birth control pills and when to abstain?

If you start the pill more than five days after the beginning of menstruation, you’ll need to abstain from sex or use additional contraceptive protection for the next seven days. On a Sunday: Beginning on the first Sunday after the start of your period, take one pill every day, at the same time, continuously.

What happens when you stop taking your birth control?

If you stop taking birth control pills midway through your cycle, you may experience cramping. For many, birth control pills minimize cramps. Once you stop taking the pill, you may feel cramping even when you don’t have your period for a while, and if you had cramps before you were on the pill, they may come back.

How many years should you be on birth control?

Alternative birth control options. If you’re looking for alternative long-term birth control options, you may want to consider an intrauterine device (IUD). Depending on the type of IUD you choose, it may last for anywhere from 3 to 10 years . Most people can also use male and female condoms without problems.

How often should you take the birth control pill?

Take 1 pill every day for 21 days (3 weeks) in a row. Then don’t take any pills for seven days (week 4). You’ll get your period during the fourth week while you aren’t taking any pills. It’s important to take every pill in a 21-day pack because there are no reminder (hormone-free) pills.

How do I start my birth control?

Birth control instructions Start your first pack of pills on the first Sunday after your period begins. If your period begins on Sunday start your pills that day. Use a back-up method (foam, condoms, sponge) along with the pills for the first month. Take a pill every day until you finish a pack then start a new pack.