Birth control pills: what you need to know
If you’re looking at options for birth control, you may have heard of “the pill.” The pill is birth control that you take by mouth. It is a short acting hormonal contraceptive.1 This means you can stop taking the pill if you want to get pregnant.
How do birth control pills work?
How effective are birth control pills?
Methods of birth control like the pill need to be used correctly to work best. Perfect use refers to taking birth control correctly and consistently according to the directions. Typical use refers to how most people take the pill, including not taking it correctly all the time.2 On average, out of 100 women who take the pill for a year, about 9 may get pregnant.1, 2
Types of birth control pills
There are 2 common types of combined hormone birth control pills. With one kind, you take the pill every day for 21 or 28 days. After that, you get a period. Then you start another cycle of pills.2, 3
The other type of pill is called extended or continuous use. With extended pills, you take one every day for 3 months and then get a period. With continuous-use pills, you take them every day and may not get a period.2, 3
The mini pill is another type of birth control that only has the hormone progestin.3
There are many different brands of birth control pills. Each one may be slightly different.
What are the benefits of birth control pills?
Hormonal birth control is considered safe for most people.1
Combined hormone birth control, like the pill, may have benefits such as:2
- Shorter, lighter periods
- More regular periods
- Improved acne
- Less unwanted hair growth
- Lower risk of colon cancer and ovarian cancer 4
This type of birth control may also help with conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), uterine fibroids, menstrual migraines or endometriosis.1, 2
Possible side effects of birth control pills
Side effects of hormonal birth control typically go away after a few months. Common side effects may include:1, 2
- Headaches
- Irregular or breakthrough bleeding
- Breast tenderness
- Nausea
- Mood changes
Breakthrough bleeding may last longer with continuous-use pills.2
Combination birth control pills may raise your risk for high blood pressure, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or blood clots. These problems can sometimes lead to a heart attack or stroke. These are rare but serious side effects. Factors that may raise the risk for these side effects include:1, 2
- Being over 35 and smoking more than 15 cigarettes a day
- Having multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease
- Having a history of migraines with aura
- Having a history of stroke, heart attack or DVT
Ask your provider if hormonal birth control is right for you.1
Frequently asked questions about birth control pills
When starting the pill, it can take up to a week to prevent pregnancy. If you’re sexually active, you’ll need to use another form of birth control for the first 7 days you start taking the pill.5
If you're late or miss a pill:1
- Take it as soon as you remember
- Keep taking your pills at your usual time, even if you need to take 2 in one day
- Another form of birth control isn’t needed unless you need protection from sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
If you miss 2 or more pills in a row:1
- Take only the most recent missed pill right away
- Keep taking your pills at your usual time, even if you need to take 2 in one day
- If you’re sexually active, use back-up birth control for the first 7 days you’re back on the pill
If you find it hard to remember to take your pill at the same time every day, ask your doctor about different types of birth control. For example, once an intrauterine device (IUD) is placed, you don't have to do anything else.6
No. Many studies show that birth control pills don’t make you gain or lose weight.5
The estrogen in birth control pills may lower your supply of breast milk. You may want to wait until breastfeeding is well established or 5 weeks after delivery.1
The risk of DVT is also higher during the first 3 weeks after childbirth. If have risk factors for DVT, you may want to wait 4 to 6 weeks to start birth control pills.2
Due to the Affordable Care Act, most health insurance plans cover FDA-approved birth control pills.1 To find out if your insurance covers birth control, you can review your plan’s prescription drug coverage. If your plan covers prescriptions, your benefit typically includes a list of covered medications. This list is called a Prescription Drug List (PDL). You may also see it called a formulary or drug list. When your doctor prescribes a medication, check your PDL to see if it’s covered.
People who have Medicaid typically get birth control covered. What Medicaid pays for can be different depending on where you live, so check with your state's Medicaid program to find out what benefits you get.1
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