Table of contents:
- What are the mistakes in taking birth control pills that are often made?
- 1. Forget to take birth control pills
- 2. Do not take birth control pills at the same time
- 3. Do not consult a doctor when deciding to take birth control pills
- 4. Take birth control pills while on other medications
Birth control pills are used by women to prevent pregnancy, control births, and control fertility. However, many women make the mistake of taking birth control pills, which results in the pill's ineffective action, and can eventually lead to unwanted pregnancies.
In fact, when taken with the right rules, birth control pills have the potential to be up to 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. However, if you make a mistake in the process of taking birth control pills, the effectiveness can drop to 91 percent. Therefore, you must know the common mistakes that must be avoided when taking birth control pills in order to get the maximum benefits of birth control pills.
What are the mistakes in taking birth control pills that are often made?
According to an article published in the Cleveland Clinic, hormones in a woman's body control the release of eggs from the ovaries and prepare the body to produce mature eggs.
Birth control pills themselves contain a small amount of synthetic hormones, namely estrogen and progesterone, which work together with natural hormones in the body to prevent pregnancy. This is done by preventing the body from releasing eggs from the ovaries which is known as ovulation.
There are several common mistakes in taking birth control pills that can decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. If done repeatedly, the mistake of taking birth control pills can be a problem. For example, your risk of experiencing pregnancy or other risks is higher. Even so, do you know what are the mistakes in taking birth control pills that are often done? Check out the full explanation below.
1. Forget to take birth control pills
One of the most common mistakes in taking birth control pills is forgetting to take them. In fact, not taking birth control pills regularly can damage the birth control program that you are currently undergoing. In fact, reported from Self, Board-certified obgyn Antonio Pizarro, M.D. says that if you forget to take a birth control pill, then take it as soon as you remember.
For example, when you forget to take the pill at night, when you wake up and you remember it, immediately take the pill according to the dose you had to take last night. The pills you should take on that day are still taken at the time and time you are supposed to.
However, if you don't remember at all and just remember when it was time for your next dose, take two pills at a time. However, if you forget to take it for two or more days, then you will need to repeat the pill regimen from scratch for seven consecutive days and use backup contraception such as condoms for one week.
Your risk of getting pregnant may increase if you don't take these pills for two days in a row. Especially if you also don't use backup contraception when you make the mistake of taking this birth control pill. It's a good idea to consult your doctor about the steps you need to take if you forget to take the pill.
2. Do not take birth control pills at the same time
The most common mistake that most women make when taking birth control pills is taking the pill not at the same time every day. If you are taking a pill that contains progestin only, then you need to take it at the same time each day.
This is because the active ingredients in these pills don't stay in the body's system for very long and generally only last for 24 hours. Therefore, when you drink it at a different time each day, natural fertility will return and allow the uterus to release an egg. This is a sign, you have the possibility to experience pregnancy.
In addition, you are also at risk for irregular bleeding. Especially if you have sex after taking the pill late, then you are at high risk of becoming pregnant. If you take birth control pills that contain a combination of the hormones estrogen and progestin, you can be more flexible in choosing when to take your pill each day.
However, you are still advised to take the pill at the same time every day, to form a habit and prevent you from forgetting. So, to avoid one of the most common mistakes today take the pill at the same time every day to maximize the pill's action.
3. Do not consult a doctor when deciding to take birth control pills
Although the use of birth control pills is recommended by the government to control births, not everyone is safe to use it. The reason is, everyone has different health conditions. Therefore, always consult a doctor and check your medical history before you decide to use this pill.
The mistake of taking birth control pills can be risky if you don't consider your medical history. For example, if you have a history of blood clots, taking birth control pills can increase your risk of developing this condition. Therefore, it is important for you to consult a doctor first. Your doctor will help you find out if you are well enough to use birth control pills.
If it is not suitable, your doctor will also help you determine what type of contraception is best suited to your condition and needs. That way, you can still prevent pregnancy while minimizing the unwanted side effects of birth control pills.
4. Take birth control pills while on other medications
Did you know that there are several types of medication that can make birth control pills less effective? In fact, this can hamper the pill from working completely. This means that when birth control pills don't work effectively, your chances of having a pregnancy are higher.
Not only that, this error can cause other side effects that are harmful to the body. Some of these drugs include:
- Antibiotics such as rifampin.
- Oral medicine for yeast infections.
- Medicines for HIV.
- Certain herbal supplements.
Therefore, you should always try to avoid the mistakes of taking these birth control pills if you want the maximum benefit from the birth control pills you are using. If you need further information, you should contact your doctor, midwife or local health practitioner directly.
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