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What is it?
Most oral contraceptive pills contain two female synthetic
hormones (estrogen and progestin) which vary in dosage according to the brand
How does it work?
·
Prevents ovulation (release of the egg)
·
Thickens cervical mucus which slows movement of sperm through cervix
·
Causes changes in the lining of the uterus
Advantages
·
Reversible, after stopping the pill ovulation usually resumes
immediately but in some cases maybe delayed several months
·
Menstrual periods may become more regular and less painful
·
Menstrual periods may become shorter with less bleeding
·
Decreases the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancers
·
Less acne
·
Decreases premenstrual symptoms
·
May be used until menopause in healthy women who do not smoke
Considerations
·
Must be prescribed by a health care provider
·
Must be taken at the same time every day
·
Not recommended for women over age 35 who smoke
·
Vomiting and diarrhea may effect the absorption of the pill and increase
the risk of pregnancy
·
Some medications can reduce the effectiveness of the pill please check
with you doctor or pharmacist and use an additional method of birth control
·
Some reported side effects may include irregular bleeding, spotting,
breast sensitivity, headache, upset stomach, nausea and vomiting, fluid
retention and missed periods. Side
effects usually disappear after the first few cycles
·
If you miss any pills, or are very late taking a pill, you could get
pregnant. Use an alternate method of
contraception for the rest of the package if having intercourse
How
to use the Pill
·
There are three different ways to start the pill; Sunday start, first
day start or quick start. Discuss with a
health care provider which method to use.
·
It is important to take the pill at the same time every day
Typical Effectiveness
·
92-99.7%
Signs to report to a doctor
immediately:
Aches: Warning
Signs for Combined Hormonal Contraceptive
A = Abdominal
pain (severe)
C = Chest pain (severe) and/or cough, shortness of
breath, or sharp pain on inspiration
H = Headache (severe) and/or dizziness, weakness or
numbness, especially if one-sided
E = Eye problems, including vision
blurring or loss, and speech difficulties
S = Severe calf or thigh pain,
especially with localized warmth/redness
Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI)
Protection
The
pill does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. Use a separate condom, dental dam, latex
glove for each sex act.
Sources
Courtney K.(2006) The contraception
patch, latest developments
AWOHNN Lifelines 10(3), 250-254
Choosing
a contraceptive that is right for u, Second Edition, 2006
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
www.sexualityandu.ca
For more
information, contact the Sexual Health Promotion Team at the Middlesex-London
Health Unit at (519) 663-5317.
Revised
September 2009
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