How To Start Using Birth Control Pills For The First Time

OK so you are thinking of using a contraceptive pill for the first time. What do you need to know to help you to make that final decision? These few facts may bring you up to speed so that you can trot off to the doctor and discuss which pill is best for you at this point in your 'contraception career'.

The Pill affects Ovulation, Your Cervical Mucous and the lining of your Uterus

First of all, let's assume that you already know that the contraceptive pill contains synthetic hormones (estrogen and progestin) that prevent you from becoming pregnant 99% of the time (if used correctly and consistently) by stopping you from ovulating each month (releasing an an egg from your ovaries). If there no egg for a little male sperm to penetrate/fertilise then no baby can develop. The other 'action' that occurs each month as a result of taking a contraceptive pill is that the mucous around your cervix (neck of your womb) is THICKENED by the progestin ingredient in the pill. Why does this help to protect you from getting pregnant- because that little sperm finds it a heck of a lot harder to swim through thick stuff than thin stuff so even in the event of an egg 'escaping', the poor little guy is exhausted even before he ever gets to that egg of yours! The third way in which the contraceptive pill affects your body is to THIN the lining of your uterus which makes it difficult for a fertilised egg to implant and grow there should it get that far. This action is a controversial one for some women who view this 'back up' effect as abortion.

When does ovulation occur?

Ovulation usually happens around day 14 of your cycle (a woman is fertile when she is ovulating and ovulation usually occurs mid cycle) most women know exactly when this happens but it can vary by about a week, depending on the length of your cycle. Ovulation almost always occurs 14 days before the next bleed. The process itself requires a maximum of thirty-six hours to complete. In general, women do not ovulate until at least 10 days after stopping birth control pills.

If an egg IS fertilized by a sperm, it may implant itself in the uterus 6-12 days later if 'conditions are receptive, if you take the pill every day the conditions are NOT receptive.

Starting birth control pills the first time- on which Day do I take the first pill?

IMPORTANT: Use 'back up' such as condoms, diaphragm, or foam during the first month of pill taking.You can choose which day to start your pill taking regime:

• on the day your period begins OR
• on the first Sunday after your period begins. This will result in your period almost always beginning on a Tuesday or Wednesday every 4 weeks OR
• on the fifth day after your period begins OR
• you can start your pill today if there is absolutely no chance that you could be pregnant. Use a backup method of contraception until your first period.

Take one pill a day until you finish the pack. Then:

If you are using a 28-day pack, begin a new pack immediately. Skip no days between packs.
If you are using a 21-day pack, stop taking pills for 1 week and then start your new pack but you must not forget to start again 7 days later as extending the 'gap' between packs is one of the main reasons why women get pregnant while on the pill!

I'm worried about having to remember to take a pill every day

You will soon get into a routine- but it helps if you link your pill taking to another action you carry out daily such as cleaning your teeth or having a glass of water at bedtime. Keep you pill pack next to your toothbrush or in your bedside table drawer.The pills work best if you take one at about the same time every day (this is especially important for the 'mini' pill). Check your pack of pills each morning to make sure you took your pill the day before.

For more facts about the 'what if' scenarios when you are on the pill, read instructions HERE on HOW TO TAKE CONTRACEPTIVE PILLS and also find out what is involved IF pills are missed .

For A FREE E-BOOK that answers all your common birth control questions,for lighthearted videos and a 'no nonsense' website that tells it like it is, visit: my main website

Vomiting and Birth Control Pills

Will the effectiveness of my birth control pill be affected if I vomit?

It depends. If you took your pill two hours or more before you vomited, then it is unlikely that you will need a replacement pill. If you vomit within two hours of taking your pill, you should consider that pill 'missed' and take another from a separate pack as soon as you can keep things down. The risk of pregnancy increases if vomiting prevents your body from absorbing a high enough 'quota' of estrogen that month to prevent pregnancy. You may want to contact your health care provider anyway in case there are special instructions you need to follow.

If you vomit or have diarrhea due to illness or consumption of too much alcohol while you are taking an oral contraceptive, play it safe and use a back up method of birth control. Use this method of birth control for 7 days after vomiting or diarrhea, even if you have not missed any pills.

If pills are missed due to vomiting bouts and a backup method is not used, emergency contraception can be used to prevent pregnancy, although if you've used this method before, guess what, be prepared for nausea and vomiting as side effects of this too-we just can't win can we, except maybe avoid the one type of nausea we don't want- 'morning sickness'.

If, like most women, you forget to take one of your contraceptive pills, then take it later in the day and then take another at bedtime, when you normally would take one, thus causing you to take two pills in one day (which is fine) this also can make you feel a bit queasy.

Low dose pills like Alesse, Yaz and Mircette are just as effective as high dose pills for preventing pregnancy but missing a low dose pill puts you at greater risk of getting pregnant than missing a high dose pill.

Crazy isn't it, that one of the side effects experienced by some women who take birth control pills is nausea and vomiting, (this side effect usually goes away after the first few months of use) and if you DO suffer severe vomiting when on the 'pill' you've defeated the whole purpose for taking them in the first place! Taking your pill with food or taking it before bedtime may help to alleviate nausea.

Severe vomiting should be reported to a physician IMMEDIATELY (and a condom used if you still feel like sex under these circumstances!) as this is not a normal side effect. The contraceptive pill continues to be a popular choice because it is easy to use, convenient and is a reversible method of birth control.

Carole Pemberton is committed to researching and presenting the latest information on contraceptives, including Alesse and Mircette to empower women to fully experience their sexuality and knowledgeably manage their birth control.

For a FREE E-BOOK that answers all your common birth control questions please drop by HERE

Will Your Extra Kilos Reduce the Effectiveness of Your Contraceptive Pill?

The effectiveness of your contraceptive pill will be reduced if you are overweight- TRUE or FALSE?

Can you still rely on today's 'low dose' contraceptive pills or should you be swapping to a contraceptive pill that contains a higher dose of estrogen to give you adequate protection against getting pregnant? In one of the previous posts on my website about the contraceptive pill and weight gain I wrote, "Today’s oral contraceptive pills contain much lower doses of hormones than they used to so if you are overweight they could quickly become ‘burned’ up hence their effect in your body could be of a shorter duration and thereby increase your risk of becoming pregnant".In keeping you up to date on this issue, it seems that the latest studies are stating that overweight women are at a higher risk of getting pregnancy no matter which dosage of pill they take. Not very heartening if you're over 155lbs eh?

It is likely that you are using one of the new generation, 'low dose' contraceptive pills that are now regularly prescribed by most doctors because of the benefits of reduced side effects. I found this useful table on Dr. Rick Jelovski's site from a study which shows weight in relation to pregnancy rates for the different estrogen doses in the contraceptive pill. It may be handy to take it to the docs with you and see what comment he/she has about it all.

Pregnancy rate/100 women yrs

Nos. show pregnancy rate with (estrogen dose in brackets)

Weight in lbs

less than 125lbs --1.8 (20-25mcg )--3.2 (30-35mcg)--1.6 (50mcg =+)
125-137lbs-----------3.4 (20-25mcg )--2.7 (30-35mcg)--3.3 (50mcg =+)
138-155lbs-----------2.3 (20-25mcg )--2.0 (30-35mcg)--8.2 (50mcg =+)
155lbs and plus----6.8 (20-25mcg )--5.2 (30-35mcg)--5.4 (50mcg =+)


If you are over 155 lbs you are in the group with a higher tendency to get pregnant than women who weigh less than 125 lbs and you can see from the above table that if you stay at 155lbs lbs swapping to a higher estrogen dose contraceptive pill does not necessarily reduce your chance of getting pregnant so increasing your estrogen dose (and possibly accompanying side effects) is a step you might want to think a bit more about..

Yep, I know you won't want to hear it but the best way to reduce your risk of getting pregnant is to reduce a few kilos AND remember to take your pills consistently and correctly (the stats. in this table would have included women who were 'not perfect' at pill taking)

As Dr. Rick reminds us, the greatest risk from contraceptive pill failure is when you're LATE starting your pills again after the 7 day 'break', so if this has happened to you in the past, consider swapping to a continuous daily pill routine that will lower your risk and lower your stress.

Risk of Heart Attack

You have probably been told that you are at the biggest risk of having a heart attack if you are
overweight and you smoke, this is true but if you are also using hormonal contraceptives, you are
increasing your risk even more so while you're at the docs why not chat about some other safer options for birth control? It's a good idea to regularly check in with your doctor that the contraceptive pill you are using is the best one for your current circumstances- inspite of any extra pounds you may have gained.

Ultra Low Dose Contraceptive Pills (Alesse, Mircette) and other brands of oral contraceptives can found HERE

Oral Contraceptives For Treating Medical Conditions

Oral contraceptives (the “birth control pill”) and their synthetic hormone cocktail of estrogen and progestin have many health 'benefits' beyond just preventing pregnancy. Whether to use them for this purpose or not though, can be a dilemma, especially for some teenagers who are not sexually active. To be able to function 'comfortably' without taking days off work or school due to severe period pain is often the clincher for any women when her physician suggests a course of oral contraceptives for treating
medical conditions such as:

• Painful periods/cramps
• Heavy or irregular periods
• Acne (“zits” or “breaking out”) - more likely to occur in teenagers
• Too much hair growth- caused by producing too many male hormones. Oral contraceptives may prevent new hair growth but will not get rid of existing hair growth.
• Ovarian cysts
• PMS, mood changes or migraine headaches

What do I need to know if I’m taking the pill for something other than birth control?

The active ingredients, estrogen and progestin come in different types, with different side effects, depending on which oral contraceptive is prescribed. Some pills contain lower doses of these hormones than others and some medical conditions require a pill containing higher doses to be effective.You may be told to take the pills in a different way from 'normal' (as they were initially designed to be used only for birth control and taken one pill each day) which may mean taking more than one pill each day -so
depending on the medical condition being treated, you should always follow your doctor's instructions regarding the dose and not those printed on the package leaflet. For treating the medical conditions listed above with oral contraceptives, see more detailed information HERE.

For a FREE E-BOOK that answers lots of common questions about birth control, some lighthearted videos and a 'no nonsense' website that tells it like it is, visit:www.contraceptivereviewer.com

Will Desogen cure my acne?

It is widely known that the contraceptive pill is often prescribed for the treatment of women's acne and was approved by the FDA in 1997 for this treatment of this condition. However, if you are considering asking your doctor for the popular brand, Desogen , there are some facts you should know, especially if you have certain health problems or inherited medical conditions.

What exactly is Desogen and How does Desogen work in my body?

Desogen is an oral birth control pill that contains a combination of synthetic female hormones to stop an egg being released from a woman's ovary. If an egg is not released, it cannot be fertilized by a male sperm- so the woman cannot become pregnant. Most women take Desogen to prevent them from falling pregnant but others have found it to be extremely effective for clearing up their acne or significantly reducing breakouts. Desogen does this by controlling the level of androgen (a male hormone) connected with the production of oil in our skin (from our sebaceous glands).

Why does acne occur and what does it look like?

On the surface of our skin are little 'breathing holes' or pores and 'pockets' (follicles) out of which each hair grows. The sebaceous gland in each follicle produces oil or sebum. When too much sebum is produced, these glands become blocked and inflamed which results in pimples, 'zits' and blackheads - a chronic outbreak is known medically as acne. In acute cases, these pustules can result in cysts or abscesses that become infected and scar the skin's surface. If the production of sebum can be decreased then the acne is usually reduced also.

Why is the amount of oil produced by our sebaceous glands important?

Since the hormone, androgen, controls the release of sebum, it is not surprising that if there is an imbalance in hormone levels, especially during adolescence, then there is going to be an imbalance in the level of sebum produced. Even though contraceptive pills work effectively on acne treatment, they are not ideal for teenagers to take if they are not sexually active (unless they have had a thorough talk to their doctor first).

Desogen and acne is a 'balancing act'.

Since Desogen affects the level of the androgen hormone within a woman's body, it follows that every woman's body will be operating on varying levels of hormone production so, to some degree, it is trial and error with a contraceptive medication such as Desogen for controlling the level of sebum produced and therefore controlling the severity of her acne. It is for this reason that Desogen can be extremely effective or in some cases, just not be compatible with the level of androgen being produced in certain women so their acne seems to get worse. Ethinyl etradiol is the synthetic estrogen in contraceptive pills that affects the level of androgen.

The contraceptive pill Desogen resolves acne conditions in many women

Doctors prescribe Desogen specifically for the treatment of acne in woman they consider suitable for this combination of synthetic hormones. Woman who can take Desogen will find that this birth control pill balances their hormones effectively and is the ideal drug for helping them to manage their acne. It should be noted though, that no single treatment for acne, including Desogen, should be relied upon to treat this severe skin condition. A dirty skin, make up and bacteria also aggravate acne so topical products, such as lotions, creams and anti bacterial skin cleansers should be considered for use in conjunction with Desogen.

Always consult your doctor if you wish to try Desogen for your acne treatment and tell him which other medications/topical products you are also using.

As with many medications, however, some women find they do experience various side effects when taking Desogen.
Some common side effects include nausea, headaches, slight bleeding, weight gain and possible mood changes.
After taking Desogen for three months, many of these effects disappear but you should monitor your body closely and consider a different treatment if they persist or if they worsen.

The clearly documented risks associated with all contraceptive pills must be noted for Desogen also, whether taken for acne or as your preferred birth control method. These risks include stroke, blood clotting and breast cancer (although the contraceptive pill has positive benefits in reducing ovarian and uterine cancer)

Smoking is bad for you anyway but the risks of developing heart disease increase if you are on the 'pill'.

If you do take Desogen to prevent acne, take it as prescribed by your doctor - even if you buy it on line

Missing a dose of Desogen will not have such a bad effect on your acne but it will affect your risk of getting pregnant.
Check the leaflet that comes with the Desogen pack if you miss a pill and of course, if you are unsure as to whether you can two pills on one day, check with your doctor or medical practitioner. To reduce the anxiety or stress further, it would be wise to use additional contraception at this time.

Desogen is ideal for reducing the painful and embarrassing condition of acne in many women but unfortunately it is just not suitable for a certain percentage of woman. It is probably worth trying though as the benefits can be excellent and it is likely that if you keep in contact with your doctor you will eventually find a combination of the 'pill' and a topical skin product that will help you through your acne 'chapter'.

Questions to ask your doctor about contraceptive options

Don't be embarrassed, put off or rushed through a short consult when you talk to your doctor about choosing the right contraceptive for you - pay for a long consult if need be but DO empower yourself with knowledge before rushing off with your script.

Discussing all aspects of birth control with a health professional is essential when it comes to understanding and taking charge of your body's health in regard to managing birth control- especially if you take oral contraceptives which affect your body's hormone levels.

The doctor will know your medical history but maybe not what type of lifestyle you lead so explain a bit about this first. Take with you a list of over the counter meds you are taking. Remember, this is your domain, your body, your future family planning scenario- you are about to make one of the most responsible and important decisions of your life, your partner's life and the lives of your unborn children.

You may find some of these questions useful and if you don't understand the answer you get back, be a little terrier and keep asking until you do.


1. Given my age and state of health/lifestyle, which method of contraception do you suggest for me?

2. Out of all the hormone based types of contraceptives, which is the most effective and are there any I cannot take due to my medical history or the medications I'm taking?

3. If I don't opt for a hormone based contraceptive, what other alternatives are most effective?

4. Is an IUD an option for me and can it cause problems if I want to become pregnant later on?

5. How will 'the pill' affect my fertility and what do I watch out for re side effects?

6. Which form of contraceptive carries the greatest health risk, I've heard scary reports about the patch?

7. If I ever want to get pregnant when should I stop taking the pill?

8. What should I do if I fail to use contraceptives during intercourse?

9. How can I get the 'morning after' pill and if I keep one dose on standby how long will be effective for?

10. If I'm breastfeeding, what do I do about contraception?

11.Do you have information about natural birth control?

12. I don't want kids for YEARS yet, is an implant a good option for me now?

13. Are there any other resources in my community where I can get help and advice on contraceptives?

14. We have enough children now, I need information on tubal ligation and vasectomy and whether or not these methods are reversible.

The truth about contraceptive pills and pregnancy test kit results HERE- as well as several popular Oral Contraceptive pills (including cheapest on line prices)

Who Do You Turn To For Information On Contraceptives?

2 out of 3 women (63%) who use the internet, research contraceptives and birth control options online. In January of this year, comScore Inc. a leader in measuring the digital world, released results from a study that looked at how women choose their method of contraception, what their opinion is of alternative contraceptive methods and whether the information they gather from their 'net' research influences their actual 'practising' methods of contraception.

921 women were surveyed (ages 18-44) who had been heterosexually active over the past 6 months and had used a form of prescription or over-the-counter birth control.

• 82% of the women surveyed consulted their doctor, pharmacist or health care worker about
• contraceptive options
• 60% researched on the internet and web sites
• 51% consulted friends, family and 'significant others'

"Traditionally, women have relied on friends, family or a significant other for health-related
information, including sexual health and contraception," said Carolina Petrini, comScore senior vice president. "But today, with the influx of newer-generation birth control methods and non-traditional pill regimens, more and more women are turning to the Internet to sort through the clutter and organize their findings. As is true in many other areas of health care, the consumer has become much more proactive. She wants to be informed of all of her choices, and she is relying on the Internet for answers."

35% of the women surveyed had already used birth control related 'user generated content' from blogs, forums and chatrooms, while 42% said they were open to the idea in the future.

Factors that influence a woman's choice of contraceptive

Not surprisingly, the main factor was EFFECTIVENESS although only 9% gave ineffectiveness as a reason for not choosing specific types.

The main reasons for NOT choosing a specific type of contraceptive were:

• perceived SIDE EFFECTS (45%)
• INCONVENIENCE (42%)

These perceptions about side effects and inconvenience varied according to the type of contraceptive eg.some women said they would not consider switching to the birth control pill, hormonal injections, patches and implants because of perceived side effects. Vaginal rings and diaphragms were perceived to be the most inconvenient or difficult to use form of contraceptive.

Source:http://www.comscore.com To read report on this survey CLICK HERE

Further information on Alesse, Mircette and other oral contraceptives.