BIRTH CONTROL PILL
What is the Birth Control Pill?
The Pill is a family planning method women use to plan their pregnancies. If you are sexually active and do not want to become pregnant, you can use the Pill. When you decide you are ready for a child, you simply stop taking the Pill. A few months after that, you can become pregnant. That is right! You have the power to decide when you want to become pregnant. When taken as directed, the Pill will enable you to have the number of children you want when you want them. Awesome!
How does the Pill work?
A woman produces an egg every month. If this egg meets a man’s sperm, the sperm will fertilize the egg and she will become pregnant. The Pill prevents the release of the egg and thus prevents the sperm from meeting and fertilizing the egg. Before you start taking the Pill, talk to your doctor or family planning association. They will give you a basic health check and advise you if the Pill is right for you.
Birth Control Fast Facts
No, the Pill is not suitable for everyone. The Pill is not suitable for:
- Women who smoke and are over 35 years old
- Women with high blood pressure
- Women with breast cancer or heart disease
- Women with severe migraines.
The best thing to do is to get advice from your doctor or family planning association before starting the Pill. They will suggest a method that is suitable for you.
Most women can use the Pill. The Pill is safe for young women, for women who never had a pregnancy and women with children. In fact, if
- You are a teenager, you can use the Pill
- If you are an older woman and want to wait before having another child, you can use the Pill
- If you had an abortion, you can use the Pill
- If you want a family planning method that is 99% effective in preventing pregnancy, you should use the Pill.
Yes, you can. There is a special Pill for women who are breastfeeding. If you want to use the Pill within the first six months of giving birth, talk to your doctor, nurse or family planning association. They will tell you more about the type of Pill you should use while you are breastfeeding.
After six months, you can start using the Pill that women who are not breastfeeding use.
The Pill comes in two types of packets. One packet has twenty-one pills. The other packet has 28 pills. The extra seven are iron tablets. Your family planning provider will explain which are the iron tablets are which are not.
Getting Started
The Pill is simple and easy to use. This is what you do:
If you are using the packet with 21 pills:
- Take your first Pill any time during the first five days of your period
- After that, take one Pill a day every day until the packet is finished
- Wait seven days after the packet is finished and start a new packet immediately after that.
If you are using a packet of 28 pills:
- Take one Pill a day every day until the packet is finished
- Start a new packet as soon as one packet is finished.
Can I start taking the Pill more than five days after my period has passed?
Yes, you can. If you start taking the Pill more than 5 days after your period began, you should:
- Take one Pill a day every day
- Use an additional method for the first seven days
When I want to become pregnant, what should I do?
When you want to become pregnant, stop taking the Pill three to six months before.
The Big Questions
Try to develop a habit of taking your Pill every day as directed. If you do miss your Pill, do not panic. Follow these simple instructions:
If you are using the packet with 21 pills:
- Take your first Pill any time during the first five days of your period
- After that, take one Pill a day every day until the packet is finished
- Wait seven days after the packet is finished and start a new packet immediately after that.
If you missed 3 or more Pills, you should do the following:
- Take one Pill as soon as you remember
- Take the other Pill at the usual time
- Continue as before taking one Pill a day
- Use an additional method for the next seven days.
- If you miss your Pill and you need more advice, call your doctor, nurse or family planning association. They will help you.
What if I have sex only once in a while?
If you are not having sex regularly or if your partner goes away for a few days, you should not stop taking the Pill. If you skip your Pills, you can become pregnant.
*TIP: Try to take the Pill at about the same time every day. It will help you remember not to miss it.
Are there other benefits from using the Pill?
Yes, there are. The Pill helps women who suffer from:
- Painful periods
- Anemia because of heavy periods
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Ovarian cancer.
Of course, women also experience the comfort of having sex without worrying about becoming pregnant before they want to.
Are there any side effects?
Yes. BUT most women who use the Pill do not experience any side effects.
Some women do experience side effects like nausea, spotting, mild headaches or breast tenderness. These generally go away in two to three months.
If they do not go away, go to your family planning association or doctor and they will advise you on what to do.
Does the Pill Protect me from Sexually Transmitted Diseases?
NO! The Pill does not protect you from HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases. If you are not sure of your partner, you should use a condom correctly every time you have sex.
Need Help?
FAQs
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Why should she take the pill at the same time each day?
If there are any side effects, this might help. You can show your support for her by reminding her to take the Pill on time.
Why should she take the pill at the same time each day?
If there are any side effects, this might help. You can show your support for her by reminding her to take the Pill on time.
Why should she take the pill at the same time each day?
If there are any side effects, this might help. You can show your support for her by reminding her to take the Pill on time.
Why should she take the pill at the same time each day?
If there are any side effects, this might help. You can show your support for her by reminding her to take the Pill on time.
