Contraception
Contraceptive Methods
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Oral Contraceptive Pill (a.k.a. the Pill)
What is it?
The oral contraceptive pill (OC) is one of the most researched and most misunderstood drugs in the world. About 100 million women all over the world are relying on it and it is one of the most prescribed medication. The Pill is a contraceptive suitable for most healthy women, regardless of age, and can be used long-term. Some women only want to take the Pill when they are in a stable relationship and stop taking it when the relationship ends. This is not a good idea, because it puts people at risk of unintended pregnancy before having enough time to adjust to a new contraceptive method. Benefits are numerous - the Pill regulates the cycle, reduces menstrual flow, reduces acne, protects against certain cancers, and is totally reversible (once a woman is off the Pill, the body resumes its normal cycle). The pill is 99.9% effective, making it the most reliable contraception available. The user failure rate is 3%.
Benefits are numerous
The Pill regulates the cycle, reduces menstrual flow, can reduce the number of periods per year, reduces acne, protects against certain cancers, and is totally reversible (once a woman is off the Pill, the body resumes its normal cycle).
Disadvantages
The Pill doesn't protect against STIs, and it may cause a few side effects, such as irregular bleeding, breast tenderness, weight gain, headaches and nausea. These side effects usually disappear after a few months, though. In the rare cases that these side effects don't go away, your teen should see her doctor.
How it works
She just takes take the pill on a daily basis, trying to take it at the same time, so that it becomes a habit. She could use an alarm clock, pager or beeper to remind herself.
Myths
A common myth is that girls who stop taking the Pill may not be able to get pregnant. Reassure your daughter that taking the Pill will not cause her to be infertile. Most women who use a method of contraception, including the Pill, can get pregnant when they want to. Another common myth is that the Pill causes cancer. Again, false.in fact, the Pill reduces the risk of certain cancers like endometrial and ovarian. Note: The pill should be used with condoms to prevent both pregnancy and STIs.
Where to find it
Your daughter can get a prescription by visiting her doctor or a clinic. The cost of the pill varies from place to place; various health plans cover the cost. The pill can be obtain at most public health clinics and Planned Parenthood Affiliates for free or at low cost.
Troubleshooting
If your teen misses one pill, she should take it as soon as she remembers (this may mean that she takes two pills in one day). If she misses two pills in a row during week 1 and 2 of the pack, she should take two pills on the day she remembers and two pills the next day. Remind her to use a back-up method of birth control, like a condom, if this happens. If she misses two pills in a row during week 3 of the pack, she should throw out the remainder of the pack and start a new pack on the day she remembers. She may not have a period this month or her period may come early. If she misses 3 pills in a row, she should throw out her pack and start a new one the day she remembers. Remind her to use a back-up method of birth control. She may not get her period this month or it may come early.
Last Modified: May 15, 2009
