Birth control pills are a method of contraception that have been used since the 1950s! There are many variations of the birth control pill, which creates options for patients to find the best one for them.
Birth control pills are about 93% effective to prevent pregnancy, but do not prevent sexually transmitted infections.
Birth control pills can be used for other concerns, not just preventing pregnancy. They can help with perimenopause symptoms, heavy or painful periods, PMDD, skipping periods, acne and mood changes.
Not everyone is a good candidate for birth control pills. It's important to discuss your medical history and lifestyle with your provider to choose the best option for you.
There are two types of birth control pills available, combined oral contraceptives and progesterone only pills.
Combined Oral Contraceptive Pills (COC)
Combined oral contraceptive pills (COC) are a pill you take every day to prevent pregnancy. These pills have both hormones called estrogen and progesterone in them. These hormones work together to prevent pregnancy and can help with other concerns like acne.
You can start taking your pill as soon as you pick it up from the pharmacy. Pill packs are typically labeled Sunday to Saturday, so some patients choose to start them on a Sunday. For some patients, it is important for their period to remain on the same week. These patients will wait until after their next period ends to start the pill pack. Any of these options is an acceptable way to start birth control pills.
COC take 7 days to be effective to prevent pregnancy. If you have unprotected sex before then, you need to use a back up method such as condoms to prevent pregnancy.
It's normal to have some side effects in the first two weeks after starting the pill. Some people experience nausea, breast tenderness and an increase in acne. This usually stops after the first two weeks and does not return.
COC must be taken at the same time every day. It does not matter if it's morning or night time. The important part is that you can remember to take them at the time of day you choose. Some people choose to take them before bed or when they brush their teeth in the morning. Some people set an alarm on their phone to take them. Taking them at the same time each day helps them be the most effective in preventing pregnancy.
If you forget to take your pill, just remember to take it as soon as you remember. If it's the next day, just take two pills and keep going as normal. If you forget several days, do not take a handful of pills! Just restart taking them and it will be another 7 days until they are effective to prevent pregnancy.
Patients can experience negative side effects with some birth control pills like break through bleeding or mood changes. It's important to tell your provider so we can find the correct pill for you.
Some patients use the pills continuously to suppress their period. This means they take all 3 weeks of the color pills, skip the placebo week at the bottom and start a new pack of pills. This can skip your period. Some patients do experience some breakthrough bleeding outside their period time when they start this, but most often, patients are able to skip their period.
Not everyone is a candidate for estrogen containing birth control. If you have high blood pressure, a history of a blood clot in your legs or your lungs, migraines with aura or seeing flashy lights, use nicotine, or just had a baby, you are not a candidate for estrogen. Estrogen use puts anyone with these conditions at higher risk for blood clots or worsening heart disease.
Progesterone Only Pills (POP)
Progesterone only pills only have progesterone in them, no estrogen. These are often referred to as the mini pill. There are very few patients who cannot have these and work well for people with medical conditions.
There are very few side effects with progesterone only pills. Some patients have bleeding outside of their period. Most of the symptoms people do not like with birth control pills are related to estrogen, not progesterone.
The most important part of progesterone only pills is that you MUST take them at the same time every day. To the minute! If you choose your pill time as 9:00am, you must take the pill at 9:00am. Not 9:01am or 8:55am. If you do not take them at the same time each day, they will not prevent pregnancy. Even if you miss it by 5 minutes.
Taking pills at the same exact time every day can be difficult for patients. It's important to evaluate whether or not that is something you can fit into your lifestyle before deciding on this method.
Learn More About Birth Control Options
This article is part of Haven Health Education, where we explain birth control options so you can make informed decisions about your reproductive health.
Birth Control Pill Prescriptions in Greensboro and Across North Carolina
If you are considering birth control pills, Haven Health provides birth control counseling and prescriptions in Greensboro, North Carolina and by telehealth across the state.
Many patients have questions about combined pills, progesterone-only pills, side effects, and how pills can also help with heavy periods, acne, PMDD, and perimenopause symptoms. Haven Health helps you decide which option fits your medical history, lifestyle, and goals.
Patients from Greensboro, High Point, Jamestown, Oak Ridge, Summerfield, Kernersville, and surrounding Guilford County communities visit Haven Health for personalized reproductive care.
If you live anywhere in Winston-Salem, Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham, Asheville, Wilmington, or other North Carolina communities, you can schedule a virtual visit to discuss your birth control options and receive a prescription without needing to come into the office.
Whether in person or online, Haven Health offers patient-centered, evidence-based birth control care across North Carolina.