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How to Take Birth Control Pills
How to Take Birth Control Pills
Overview
Birth control pills come in packs. There are several ways you can start taking your first pack of pills. Talk with your doctor about when to start taking your pills.
- Quick start. During your medical appointment, take your first pill as soon as you get the pack from your doctor. Take the second pill the next day. During the first 7 days of pills, use a backup method of birth control, like a condom or diaphragm.
- Sunday start. Pick a Sunday to take your first pill, so that you don't have periods on the weekends. During the first 7 days of pills, use a backup method of birth control, like a condom or diaphragm.
- Fifth-day start. On the fifth day of your menstrual period, take your first pill.
The most common type of pack has 3 weeks of hormone pills. Some packs have sugar pills for the fourth week. During that fourth no-hormone week, you have your menstrual period. After the fourth week (28 days), you start a new pack.
Some birth control pills are packaged so that you take hormone pills continuously for a period of time. With pills packaged in this way, you may not have a monthly period or you may only have a period every couple of months.
Your daily pill routine
Take your birth control pills every day, at about the same time of day. To help yourself remember to take your pills and prevent pregnancy, try these easy tricks.
- Pick a time to take your pill.
Link up your "pill time" with something you do every day, like brushing your teeth, eating a meal, or going to bed.
- Use your calendar.
Mark the days when you will start new packs. You might even want to cross off each day you take your pill.
- Check your pack again.
Each morning, check your pack to be sure you took yesterday's pill. If you find you've missed one, take it right away.
Current as of: November 27, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.
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Enlaces relacionados
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Birth Control Hormones: The Mini-Pill
Birth Control Hormones: The Pill
Birth Control Pills: Missed or Skipped Periods
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