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Birth Control Pills

Birth Control Pills are the most popular form of birth control. They are a daily pill that contains a low level of hormones that effectively prevent pregnancy.

Watch this video about birth control pills to learn more about how they work and what to expect.

Follow these links for more information:

Why Should I Take The Birth Control Pill?

The Pill is an easy, convenient and effective way to prevent unintended pregnancies. But there are also other benefits the Pill offers beyond pregnancy prevention. The Pill may cause more regular, lighter, and less painful periods. The Pill may result in less acne. Women on the Pill are less likely to become anemic (low iron). The Pill may decrease symptoms of endometriosis. There is less risk of tubal pregnancy, ovarian cysts, or pelvic inflammatory disease for women on the Pill. There is less risk of ovarian and uterine cancer, and it is an easily reversible method of birth control.

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Are There Any Side Effects Associated With The Pill?

Many women experience no side effects when first starting the Pill. However, some women may experience nausea, breast tenderness, mood swings, and spotting for the first several months. These symptoms will stop with the continued use of the Pill. Some medications may react with the Pill and reduce its effectiveness. Anytime you need to see a health care provider tell them you are on the birth control pill.

If you experience severe abdominal pain, chest pain and shortness of breath, severe headache, blurred vision, or swelling or severe pain in one leg, stop your Pills and call us immediately or seek medical care.

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How Do I Get The Pill And When Can I Start Taking It?

If you would like to get on the birth control pill you will need to make an appointment to come into the clinic (click HERE to make an appointment), or if you are a teen you can come to our teen walk-in clinic on Thursday afternoons (click HERE for clinic schedule).

There are several options for starting the pill. These options include:

Same Day Start: you can start you birth control pills the same day you get them. You will need to use a backup method of birth control (like condoms) for 7 days to avoid a pregnancy while your body adjusts to the new medication

Sunday Start: take the first pill on the Sunday after your period starts, even if you are still bleeding. If your period begins on a Sunday, start your pills that day. Use a back up method of birth control (like condoms) for 7 days to avoid a pregnancy while your body adjusts to the new medication

First Day Start: begin taking the pill on the first day of your period. Use a back up method of birth control (like condoms) for the next seven days to avoid pregnancy while your body adjusts.

To be the most effective BC pills have to be taken at the same time everyday. Once you finish a pack start a new pack the next day. Do NOT stop between packs.

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What Happens If I Miss A Pill?

If you miss one pill…

Take the missed pill as soon as you remember; then the next pill should be taken at the usual time. To be safe, it is a good idea to use a back up method (like condoms) for the next seven days to avoid an unintended pregnancy.

If you miss 2 pills…

Take 2 pills when you remember, and take 2 pills the next day. Then take 1 pill per-day until the pack is gone. Use a back up method (like condoms) for the next seven days to avoid an unintended pregnancy.

If you miss 3 pills in a row, you may begin bleeding and are no longer protected by the pill. If you have missed several pills and had intercourse, you may want Emergency Contraceptive Pills (ECP) also known as Plan B. ECPs may be taken up to 120 hours after unprotected sex to prevent an unintended pregnancy, however the closer to the unprotected sex, the more effective it is.

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Who Should Not Take The Birth Control Pill?

Women who think they may be pregnant, women who have a history of blood clots, certain cancers, active liver disease, migraines with aura, current breast cancer or cancer of the uterus, cervix or vagina (now or in the past), have severe high blood pressure, or a history of stroke or other heart diseases and smokers 35 years of age or older.

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Do Birth Control Pills Prevent STDs Too?

The Pill is great for preventing unintended pregnancies but it offers NO PROTECTION against sexually transmitted diseases! If you are at risk for contracting STDs, you will need to take the necessary precautions to avoid them as well as pregnancy. To learn more about STDs and how to prevent them click HERE

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Vagina: a muscular tube forming the passage from the vulva to the cervix
Cervix: opening to the uterus. Also called the neck of the uterus and can be felt in the vagina
Uterus: a pear shaped organ in the lower abdomen of females. It is where babies develop before birth also called a womb
Severe Headache: this headache would be very painful and may be located on both sides of the head or only on one side. It may be throbbing or stabbing. Vision changes, nausea or vomiting may occur. Usually not relieved with aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil), or acetaminophen (Tylenol). May be a symptom of a medical emergency.
Severe Abdominal Pain: this pain, located in the lower abdomen, is stronger than normal menstrual pain and usually not relieved with ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). May be a symptom of a medical emergency. On a pain scale of 0-10, with 10 being the worst pain, a person would rate severe pain in the 8-10 category.
Spotting: menstrual blood that is very small in amount, ranging from a dime to quarter size. Spotting may occur before or after normal menstrual flow which is normal or may happen between periods which could be abnormal
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: is a generic term for infection of the female uterus, fallopian tubes, and/or ovaries as it progresses to scarring of those body parts. The scarring can make getting pregnant harder. Symptoms include fever, smelly discharge, abnormal bleeding, pain or tenderness in the lower abdomen
Ovarian Cyst: fluid filled sac or pouch within the ovary. Click Here to see an image of Overian Cyst.
Tubal Pregnancy: a fertilized egg attaches to the fallopian tube instead of inside the uterus. Also known as ectopic pregnancy
Endometriosis: a condition caused by the menstrual tissue in the uterus flowing out of the fallopian tubes and attaching to other body organs within the abdomen sometimes causing severe menstrual pain. Click Here to see an image of Endometriosis.
Hormone: a substance produced in an organ or gland that travels through the bloodstream to another body part causing a reaction