Description
The pill contains synthetic hormones similar to the hormones produced naturally by the female body, i.e., estrogen and progesterone. The woman must take a pill every day.
How the pill works
The pill works by preventing ovulation. It also acts on the cervix making the mucous less permeable by the sperm and it changes the inner lining of the uterus (endometrium), making it unable to receive a fertilized egg.
Efficacy
The pill is 99.5% effective. However, if it is not used as directed, effectiveness can decrease very rapidly (ex: forgetting to take a pill).
Cost
A pack of pills costs between $15 and $20. Some or all of this amount is covered by the various insurance plans. For teenagers whose parents have coverage with the Régie d’assurance médicament du Québec, the pill is free until the age of 18 years, or up to and including the age of 25 years if they are attending school, are single or still under their parent’s responsibility.
Before taking the pill
A medical exam is required before you start taking the pill. This exam will make it possible to determine whether there are medical conditions preventing you from taking the pill.
When should I start taking the pill ?
It is suggested that you start the first pack of pills within the first five days of your cycle (day one being the first day of your menstrual period). This way, protection against pregnancy is immediate. If you start taking the pill at any other time during your cycle, it is recommended that you use another method for the first 7 days of the first pack of pills. It is now suggested to start the same day of your medical consultation and also use another contraception method for 7 days.
How do I take the pill ?
- You take one pill per day
- For 21-pill packs, wait 7 days before starting a new pack (not more)
- For 28-pill packs, take 1 pill every day
- If possible, take the pill at the same moment of the day
- The pill is effective all of the time (even during the week when you stop), provided that you take all of the pills regularly and start a new pack on time.
Side effects
Side effects are more common during the first 3 months of use and generally disappear after that. If they persist, your doctor can change the type of pill. The main side effects are:
Irregular periods (unexpected bleeding while you are taking the pill) mainly occur during the first 3 months. Unless you have forgotten to take a pill or experienced diarrhea or vomiting, the pill remains just as effective. If breakthrough bleeding persists, keep taking the pill and contact your doctor.
Nausea may be lessened by taking the pill in the evening or with food. If this doesn’t work, contact your doctor. He or she may change the type of pill you take.
Breast tenderness and swelling. Often this is a temporary side effect. Wear a bra with good support and cut back on cigarettes, salt, chocolate, coffee, tea, and alcohol. If the problem persists, speak with your doctor.
Benefits of the pill
This method of contraception is very effective and reversible. It makes the menstrual cycle regular. It reduces the frequency of :
- Menstrual pain
- Anemia (by decreasing menstrual bleeding)
- Pre-menstrual symptoms (pre-menstrual syndrome)
- Ovarian cancer
- Cancer of the endometrium (inner lining of the uterus)
- Benign breast tumours
- Ovarian cysts
- Salpingitis (infection of the Fallopian tubes)
- Ectopic pregnancies (pregnancy in the Fallopian tubes)
- The symptoms of endometriosis
What if I forget to take the pill ?
Forgetting to take one pill for less than 24 hours: Take it as soon as you remember and take the rest of the tablet as usual.
Forgetting to take one pill for more than 24 hours or 2 pills in a row:
In the first week: Take 1 pill as soon as possible and throw away the forgotten pills. Finish your tablet as usual. USE A CONDOM FOR 7 DAYS. If you had unprotected sexual relations in the last 5 days, an emergency contraceptive pill.
In the second or third week: Take 1 pill as soon as possible and throw away the forgotten pills. Finish the tablet until the end of the 3rd week and start with a new one without hormone free break.
Forgetting 3 or more pills in a row:
In the first week: Take 1 pill as soon as possible and throw away the forgotten pills. Finish your tablet as usual. USE A CONDOM FOR 7 DAYS.
In the second or third week: Take 1 pill as soon as possible and throw away the forgotten pills. Finish the tablet until the end of the 3rd week and start with a new one without hormone free break. USE A CONDOM FOR 7 DAYS. If you had unprotected sexual relations, use an emergency contraceptive pill.
Complications
They are very rare but require prompt medical attention. If you experience severe headach, serious vision problems, legs pain, lost of consciousness, dizziness, paralysis or other not normal symptoms, see a doctor right away.
What to do ?
If I use the pill and antibiotics: Use a condom if antibiotics cause you diarrhea or vomiting, which would diminish the pill efficiency.
If I experience vomiting: If the vomiting occurs less than 2 hours after taking the pill, take the pill for the next day and continue your pack, taking 1 pill per day. When your pack is finished, you will be missing one active pill. You must contact a birth control clinic, a local community health centre, a doctor or a pharmacist for advice on how to proceed.
If I experience diarrhea: Diarrhea can diminish the efficiency of the pill. One day of diarrhea represent the effect of forgetting 1 pill, 2 days of diarrhea, 2 pills, etc.
(See the recommendations above)
In the perimenopause period: Women in good health who do not smoke can use the pill until menopause.
If I have a surgery: If you need to undergo surgery that requires immobilization, tell your surgeon that you are on the pill.
If I am smoking: Why not use this opportunity to stop smoking now? Smoking increases the risk of heart disease in women who are on the pill. The risk increases with age and women over the age of 35 and more who smoke more than 15 cigarettes a day cannot get a prescription for the pill.
Myths
Will I gain some weight?
Your weight usual does not change when you take the pill. However, healthy practices such as physical exercise and a balanced diet are always recommended.
What to do if I don’t have my periods?
When you finish your tablet, you might not have menstruations as predicted. The pregnancy risk is very small if you took the pill daily without forgetting. You can still pass a pregnancy test and contact a doctor if it persists the month after. You must know that 2-3% of the woman using the pill doesn’t have period.
Do I have to take a rest for my body?
The body does not need a rest to use the pill. If you don’t have any special recommandations at your medical visit, you can use it for many years without break. There are risks of stopping the pill for a period of time without using another contraceptive method.
If I used the pill for many years, can I become infertile?
A pregnancy become possible as soon as you stop taking the pill. Sometimes, a couple of months delay is needed before your menstrual cycle is regular. The future fertility of the woman is stable, whether or not she used the pill. Note: The pill does not cause any baby’s deformity if the mother took the pill in the beginning of the pregnancy.
Can I use the pill after a childbirth?
You can start a new tablet 3 weeks after your childbirth. For the breastfeeding mother, the pill is not recommended because it can cause a diminution of milk production. Your doctor will tell you about other contraceptive methods.
Does the pill protect me from ITSS and HIV (sida)?
The pill does not offer any protection against any ITSS. Your sexual health is important and the use of the condom is still needed if you think you have ITSS risks.
Last update : 2017