286 Where There Is No Doctor 2011
BIRTH CONTROL PILLS (ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES)
Birth control pills are made of chemicals (hormones) that normally occur in a
woman’s body. When taken correctly, the ‘pill’ is one of the most effective methods for
avoiding pregnancy. However, certain women should not take birth control pills if they
can use another method (see p. 288). Birth control pills do not prevent HIV or any other
sexually transmitted infections. To prevent these infections, use a condom (p. 290).
The pills usually come in packets of 21 or 28 tablets. The packets of 21 are often
less expensive, and of these, some brands are cheaper than others. The amount of
medicine differs in different brands. To pick the kind that is right for you, talk to a health
worker, midwife, or see the GREEN PAGES, pages 393 and 394. The pills will not
prevent pregnancy immediately. So, during the first 7 days on pills, use condoms or
another method to avoid pregnancy.
How to take the pills—packet of 21:
Take the first pill on the first day of your period, counting the first day of the period as
day 1. Then take 1 pill every day until the packet is finished (21 days). Take your pills
at the same time each day.
After finishing the packet, wait 7 days before taking any more pills. Then begin
another packet, 1 pill each day.
This way, you will take the pills for 3 weeks out of each month, then go 1 week
without taking any. Normally, the menstrual period will come during the week when the
pill is not taken. Even if the period does not come, start the new packet 7 days after
finishing the last one.
If you do not want to get pregnant, it is important to take the pills as
directed—1 every day. If you forget to take the pill one day, take it as soon as you
realize this, or take 2 the next day.
Packet of 28 pills:
Take the first pill on the first day of the period, just as with the packets of 21. Take
1 a day. Seven of the pills will probably be a different size and color. Take these pills
last (one a day) after the others have all been taken. The day after you finish the packet
of 28, start another packet. Take 1 a day without ever missing a day, packet after
packet, for as long as you want not to get pregnant.
No special diet must be followed when taking the pill. Even if you happen to get
sick with a cold or another common illness while taking birth control pills, go right on
taking them. If you stop taking the pills before the packet is used up, you may become
pregnant.