Guides for using daily combined oral contraceptive pills properly

Caroline Sessa
By Caroline Sessa
Created on Mar 30, 2024

Daily combined oral contraceptive pills are an effective and simple method of birth control. Nowadays, the use of birth control pills is quite common. However, there are still many women who do not clearly understand how to take birth control properly every day, so unplanded prenancy still occurs even if they use the pill regularly.

After first appearing in the 1950s, oral contraceptives have been continuously developed, improved and brought many benefits to women. It is estimated that about half of women in the world are currently using oral contraceptive pills, an effective and convenient method with pharmacological effects that can be restored in a short time after stopping the pill. 

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Daily birth control pills usually contain estrogen and progesterone (these are two female sex hormones), which prevent ovulation, thicken the cervical mucous membrane, and prevent sperm from swimming toward the uterus for fertilization. , changes the uterine wall to make it unsuitable for eggs to nest, thus having a contraceptive effect. Currently on the market there are many daily contraceptive products, divided into two types: 21-pill packs and 28-pill packs.

Best choice for combined oral contraceptive pill names

Opill  Daily Oral Contraceptive, Birth Control Pill, 28 Count

Buy from Amazon.com


The Opill birth control pill works to prevent ovulation, thereby preventing conception. The drug also helps regulate menstruation and reduces the possibility of menstrual cramps in women. It performs effectiveness just 48 hours after you begin taking it.  

Opill only contains one type of hormone (progestin) and is estrogen-free. It's safe & when you stop to use it, then you can get back the status to have prenancy again. The function of Opill is naturally produce hormone progesterone. The advice for you is to drink the pill in at the same time of day.

 

Above is some basic information about daily use of birth control pills. Currently, the use of birth control pills is very popular, but how to use them to minimize side effects on health is very important. Therefore, you should see a doctor and get advice from your doctor to use daily birth control pills accordingly.

If you do not intend to get pregnant and want to prepare the best health and spirit before having children, go to a medical facility for a premarital reproductive health check-up. You will be advised by specialists on effective reproductive and contraceptive methods before getting married, and will be examined to assess fertility and sexuality, screen for sexually transmitted infections, and be screened for sexually transmitted diseases. Screening for genetic diseases. In particular, this examination process will be able to early detect causes that can lead to infertility so that early intervention measures can be taken. Doctors will also advise on the best time to give birth and measures to give birth to healthy, intelligent baby.

Advantages of daily combined oral contraceptive pill:

Daily combined oral contraceptive pill s are a simple method that does not interfere with sexual activity. For many years, medications have been proven to be effective if taken adequately and correctly: cases of failed use are often related to misuse, especially forgetting to take daily pills.
The drug is effective in preventing pregnancy from the first days of taking the drug, if started from the beginning of the cycle. The contraceptive effect is completely reversible: as soon as the drug is stopped, the woman will be able to conceive.

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Below are some side effects that may occur when using birth control pills daily, side effects that do not require stopping use of the pill. However, it may be necessary to consider switching to another contraceptive product accordingly:

  • Nausea, headache, weight gain, restlessness, irritability, heavy feeling in the legs.
  • Mild breast tenderness, mid-cycle bleeding, decreased menstrual frequency and length,
  • delayed or absent menstruation, changes in sexual desire.
  • Eye discomfort in contact lens wearers.

How to take birth control pills every day?

For blister packs of 21 tablets

How to take the first pack: 1 pill/day, from day 1 of menstrual cycle, continuously for 21 days; If menstruation has occurred within 5 days: take the first pill on the 5th day and continue 1 pill/day until the end of the pack, use with a condom or abstain from intercourse for the first 7 days of taking the pill.

How to take the next pack: Take a 7-day break after finishing the first pack, then start taking the 2nd pack no matter what day your period appears.

For blister packs of 28 tablets

For the pack of 28 pills, in addition to 21 pills containing contraceptive hormones, there are also 7 placebo pills containing sugar or iron... but not hormones. The reason there are 7 additional placebo pills is to help users take the medicine continuously and avoid forgetting the medicine.

Usage is the same as the 21-pill pack: Take the first pill on the first day of the menstrual cycle, 1 pill a day until all 28 pills of the first pack are finished, then switch to the second pack... and so on. Continue to finish this pack and then move on to the next pack.

Notes when using daily oral contraceptive pills

Although there is no prescribed optimal dosing time for any medication. However, you should take it at a fixed time of day to avoid forgetting the medicine. It is best to take the medicine in the morning, so that in case you forget the medicine, you can take one pill in the afternoon or evening of the same day. The medicine can be taken with or without meals and must be swallowed whole and can be consumed with a suitable drink.

If the patient wishes to change the dosing schedule, the change should be initiated when taking a new pack of pills (always changing in an upward time direction) with a delay not exceeding 12 hours.

When traveling abroad and there is a time zone difference, you should continue to take medicine according to your country's time zone. In case this is not possible, you can change the time you take the medicine. You should take it earlier than usual and not take it more than 12 hours late.


If you are being treated for another medical condition or are using other medications, you should consult your doctor about taking birth control pills, because some of the drug groups below when used with birth control pills will cause drug interactions. , changes the effectiveness of contraceptives: Anti-tuberculosis drugs (rifampicin), anti-epileptic drugs (hydantoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine), penicillin antibiotics, tetracyclines and derivatives, activated carbon and other adsorbents, drugs tricyclic antidepressants, vitamin C, cimetidine, promethazine, antibacterial sulfamides, thyroid hormones, antihypertensive drugs, laxatives.

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What should I do if I forget to take the the pills or vomit after taking it?

If you forget to take a pill within a period of time less than 12 hours from the daily pill time, take the missed pill immediately, even if you have to take 2 pills that day, then continue taking the other pills as scheduled. regular schedule until the last pill in the blister pack. There is no need to use additional contraceptive methods during subsequent sexual intercourse.

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If you forget to take a pill more than 12 hours after your daily dose, take the missed pill immediately, even if you have to take 2 pills that day, then continue with the other pills as scheduled. periodically until the last pill in the blister.

However, if you have had sex within 5 days before forgetting, you should use a backup method of emergency contraception (if you have not exceeded the limit for using this method). Within 7 days after missing the pill, you should use it simultaneously with a mechanical contraceptive method (such as using a condom).

If it is a combination pill of estrogen and progesterone (pack of 21 pills) and you forgot to take the pill during the last week of taking the pill, you need to start the next pack without stopping within 7 days. After forgetting, if you miss your period, have a late period (5 days or more) or have a change in your menstrual cycle, you need to take a pregnancy test kit to check.

If you vomit within 3 or 4 hours after taking the pill, treat it as if you forgot to take a pill within 12 hours, take the next pill immediately. If you continuously vomit (or have diarrhea), you need to use mechanical contraception at the same time when having sex. Register for online medical examination to avoid having to queue at the hospital when you need assistance.

combined oral contraceptive pills are a simple and safe method of birth control. The greatest benefit of daily birth control pills is that they help women control their pregnancy plans, choose a reasonable time to get pregnant and minimize unwanted pregnancies. However, for the drug to work effectively, users need to take the drug regularly and properly. In addition, if you are using other drugs at the same time, you should consult your doctor to avoid unplaned prenancy despite taking birth control pills regularly.

Does taking birth control pills every day have any effects on your health?

Daily birth control pills will affect hormones, prevent ovulation, and hinder fertilization. In addition, daily birth control pills have many other benefits. But many women also wonder if daily birth control pills have any effect?

In addition to the contraceptive effect, daily use of birth control pills also brings other great benefits to women such as improving acne on the skin; beautify skin; Regulates menstrual cycle; Minimize the risk of dangerous diseases, the most common of which are breast tumors, endometrial cancer, and ovarian cancer; Prevent osteoporosis and minimize the possibility of premenstrual syndrome.

Does it get harmfull when using birth control pills?

The main ingredients of daily birth control pills are estrogen and progestogen. These two hormones have been licensed by the Ministry of Health to be used in the preparation of daily contraceptive pills, which have the effect of creating a vaginal environment that is not ideal for fertilization, preventing ovulation and limiting maximize your chances of conceiving. Therefore, using birth control pills daily is not harmful. Currently, there is no evidence to prove that daily birth control pills can cause infertility.

However, to use daily birth control pills reasonably and effectively, you should see a doctor and use the medication as prescribed by your doctor. When you want to get pregnant, stop taking birth control pills and learn about the fetus's development week by week so you can know how to take care of your pregnancy to be healthier.

Are there any side effects from using birth control pills every day?

Besides the effects of birth control pills, because the drug changes women's hormones, it will cause some side effects. Most side effects will disappear after 2-3 months.

Some common side effects when using daily birth control pills

  • Vaginal bleeding between menstrual cycles.
  • Nausea: During the initial period of using daily birth control pills, nausea may occur. The solution is to eat well before taking the medicine.
  • Breast tenderness: Because daily birth control pills change hormones in the body, causing breasts to feel tight during the first 2-3 weeks of using the medicine.
    Headache.
  • Weight gain: Daily use of birth control pills causes fluid retention in the hips and thighs, causing body weight to increase.
  • Mood instability: Hormonal changes in the body lead to constantly changing moods, high risk of depression if medication is not used properly.
  • Eyes sight problems.
  • Reduced desire: When using birth control pills daily, hormonal changes cause the body to reduce secretions, causing pain, leading to loss of interest in marital activities. Pain during intercourse due to incorrect dosage of birth control pills can lead to chronic pelvic pain in women.
  • Amenorrhea: During daily use of birth control pills, the body is likely to experience amenorrhea when the period is due, due to the effects of hormonal changes along with external influences such as stress and illness. , vigorous exercise. You need to see a doctor for timely treatment if unusual symptoms appear.

Some notes when using daily birth control pills

Read instructions for use carefully before drinking. You should consult your doctor to choose the right medication for your health condition. Take the medicine regularly every day at a certain time, preferably in the evening before going to bed.

Women with cardiovascular diseases, liver diseases, diabetes, cerebral circulation disorders... should not use the drug. In case the side effects of the drug last too long or with more frequency than usual, women should go to a medical facility for timely examination.

When you see any unusual signs or symptoms after using birth control pills, you should immediately contact or go to the nearest medical center for emergency assistance.

 

Caroline Sessa

Caroline Sessa

Caroline Sessa has a passion for writing. She often has a habit of writing about places in the city of Tampa where she lives, sharing about people's lives. Upon joining AllureSeason.com in 2023; She found her passion for writing products, guiding users and choosing products to buy. For her, writing articles brings her life with daily joy

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