If you are thinking of starting to take birth control pills, many questions have come to mind: what happens if I forget to take one? Will they make me fat? Will I have my period? It is expected that you question these aspects because, with this treatment, what is achieved is to alter the natural functioning of our period to prevent us from getting pregnant when having sex.
The pill is one of the contraceptive methods most used by women because it is easy to follow, and its effectiveness is very high: between 90% and 99%. For this reason, in this FastlyHealarticle, we will answer your frequently asked questions about oral contraceptives that, likely, you have never crossed your mind.
Table of Contents
What are the side effects of birth control pills?
The pill is a contraceptive method that can produce some side effects, but their intensity will depend on its composition and the characteristics of each person. Precisely for this reason, it is essential that you go to a gynecologist to prescribe the best contraceptive for your condition and that, in case it does not feel good, you can try another in a controlled and safe way.
Some of the side effects that can occur are:
- Sickness
- Feel the most sensitive breasts
- Vaginal bleeding without having a period
- Absence of menstruation
These signs usually disappear after taking them for 2 or 3 months, but if they are not relieved, it is best to go to the doctor to try another product that better suits your body.
How do I take the pill the first time?
If you are going to take the contraceptive pill for the first time, the way to use it is different: the first tablet should be taken strictly on the first day that your period comes down, and then take a daily pill until you finish the cycle that lasts for 21 days. Above all, you must ensure that the time you take medicine is the same every day. Therefore, many women set the alarm on their watch or mobile phone that warns them that it is time to take the pill daily.
Once you have finished with the 21 pills, you will have to rest for seven days, and it will be when your period drops. After this time, you will have to start the treatment again even if you have your period. At FastlyHealwe, explain if you can get pregnant on non-fertile days.
The product you have bought may contain 28 pills instead of 21, and this is because there are 21 that are contraceptives, and then there are seven that are placebo, that is, they do not contain any substance. They are there so that women do not break the pill routine, but taking it is like taking nothing.
Do I have to use a condom for the first month?
The pill works from the first moment you take it, so if you follow the treatment as we have indicated, it is unnecessary to use a condom to protect yourself from unwanted pregnancy. Some gynecologists will advise you to take precautions during the first month, but this is because many girls do not perform the treatment correctly at first, and, therefore, it is better that they first get used to how the pills work.
What do I do if I forget to take the pill?
Another frequently asked question about birth control pills is what happens if you forget to take one. As a general rule, you must accept the medication when you realize that you had forgotten it. For example, if you usually take it at 8:00 p.m. and the next day at 10:00 a.m., you know it, take it instantly.
The maximum period that can elapse is 12 hours for most pills; if this time has elapsed, you will not be protected during the remainder of the cycle, so you will have to use other contraceptive methods to avoid pregnancy. If you forget to take the pill for two days in a row, you will have to use other methods because the medicine will no longer be effective.
Do pills prevent STDs?
No. This issue must be 100% clear to avoid the spread of sexually transmitted diseases that can seriously put your health at risk. The pills are contraceptives. They are only intended to prevent conceiving an embryo and do not serve to prevent diseases. The only existing method for this purpose is using a condom, as it prevents body fluids from coming into contact and, therefore, conditions can be spread.
What happens to the pill if I have vomiting or diarrhea?
If you have diarrhea or vomiting within 2 hours after taking the pill, keep in mind that its effect wears off. Therefore, what is recommended in these cases is to take another one on the same day and continue with the pills as you do regularly. If vomiting appears after 2 hours, there is no problem with the effectiveness of the medicine so that you can continue with the usual treatment.
Can I take the pill if I am breastfeeding?
Women breastfeeding should be careful when taking birth control pills as they could harm the baby. In this sense, at FastlyHealwe recommend that you go to a gynecologist to indicate the type of pill that will best suit your condition. Keep in mind that the ones you take must be estrogen-free, as this hormone can suppress breast milk and make the mother unable to breastfeed.
The most common is that the gynecologist recommends a pill called mini-pills that only contain progestogen, so it does not interfere with breastfeeding or the baby.
Does the pill make you fat?
Another question about birth control pills is whether, by taking them, we can gain weight. The truth is that although it is not something that happens 100% of the cases, some women gain some weight (never more than 2 kilos), and others, however, hardly notice it. The reason is that the pills contain hormones that can slow down the body, something that harms women with a slower metabolism and a tendency to gain weight.
It is also possible that when taking the pills for the first time, you feel hungrier than usual. This is also a side effect of the medication. Therefore, if you tend to gain weight quickly, it is essential that you control your eating habits and do not overdo it.
What if I have to bleed?
If the first time you take the pills, vaginal bleeding appears, DO NOT stop the treatment. Keep in mind that this is more or less common in people who start taking this medication, and after weeks, it will disappear because the uterus will have gotten used to the drug. But if the bleeding lasts for more than one month, you will have to go to the doctor to prescribe another pill.
If blood appears after taking a prolonged period with the pills (from a few months to years), at FastlyHealwe recommend that you go to the doctor as you may be experiencing some side effects to the progestogen.
Can the antibiotic cancel the effect of the pill?
Yes. You should also be clear about this as some medications can affect the effectiveness of this pill and, therefore, put us at risk of having an unwanted pregnancy. But not all antibiotics produce this effect, but they are the following :
- Antituberculosas medicine
- Barbiturate medicines
- Anti-asthmatic medicines
But there are also other medicines, such as those used to treat conditions such as angina, bronchitis, anticonvulsants, etc., that can cancel the contraceptive. Therefore, consult a doctor before medicating.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Oral contraceptives: frequently asked questions, we recommend that you enter our category of Female reproductive system.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.