How to take kb pills and the correct usage rules, according to the brand

Birth control pills are one of the most effective methods of preventing pregnancy. If used perfectly according to the way you take birth control pills and the rules of use correctly, the effectiveness of these pills is reported to be up to 99 percent. Check out the explanation below about how to take the right birth control pill.

General guidelines for taking birth control pills

The rules for taking birth control pills of course depend on the type of birth control pill you choose. Quoted from Planned Parenthood, here's how to use birth control pills by type:

Combination pills

How to use this type of birth control pill is actually easy. You need to take 1 pill a day to protect against pregnancy.

You don't have to take the combination pill at the exact same time every day. However, you are still advised to take the pills at the same time to make it easier for you to remember.

You can also use alarms, calendar reminders, or reminder apps to help you. Guidelines on how to take combination birth control pills are also differentiated according to which combination birth control pill package you choose.

28 day birth control pill package

Take 1 pill each out of 28 consecutive days (four weeks), then start a new pack on day 29.

The last pills in the 28-day combination pill pack don't contain the hormones in them. These pills are placebos (empty pills) that serve as a "reminder" that you are on a pill-based birth control program.

Most pill packs have 7 "reminder" pills that are taken over a 7 day period, but sometimes they are less.

When you take this empty pill, you will experience periods. You will also be protected from pregnancy even if you don't take these pills, but still remember to take the next packet at the right time.

21 day birth control pill pack

The way to take a 21-day birth control pill package is to take 1 pill every day for 21 days (3 weeks) in a row. On day 22, do not take any pills for seven days (week 4).

You will have your period during the fourth week, when you are not taking any pills. Always remember to start a new pack after not taking any pills for 7 days or use an alarm to help you remember.

91-day birth control pill pack

Some combination pill packs consist of a hormone pill to be taken for 12 weeks (3 consecutive months), followed by a “reminder” pill for up to 1 week.

This is so that you only have your period once every 3 months. The hormones in this pill pack will prevent pregnancy even if you have sex at night the reminder pill.

Mini pill

In taking the mini pill or what is also called the progestin pill, you must take it at the same 3 hours every day to protect against pregnancy.

For example, if you took the mini pill at 12:00 p.m. today, take it at 12:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. the next day. Taking the pill after 3:00 p.m. can put you at risk of becoming pregnant.

Therefore, you may need alarms, reminders, or a birth control app to make sure you are taking the mini pill as directed.

The mini pills are only available in the 28 day (4 weeks) package. All these pills contain hormones that can keep you from getting pregnant.

You may have your period during the fourth week. However, you can also experience blood spots (spotting) throughout the month or have no periods at all.

When is the right time to take KB pills?

You can start taking birth control pills as soon as you buy them, any day of the week and any time during your menstrual cycle. It is not affected by when you want to have sex.

The time you are protected from pregnancy depends on the type of pill and when you start taking the pill packs.

You may need to use another contraceptive method, such as condoms, for up to the first seven days.

Combination pills

You can start taking the combination pill at any time. The pills will work to protect you from pregnancy in the following ways:

If the combination pill is taken within 5 days after menstruation starts

If you start taking the combination pills within 5 days of starting your period, you will immediately be protected against pregnancy.

For example, if you start your period on Monday morning, you can take the combination pill any time, from Tuesday to Saturday morning, to protect yourself from pregnancy.

If the combination pill is taken at another time

If you start taking combination pills at another time, you will need to take them for 7 days before they are declared protected against pregnancy.

Therefore, use other contraceptives, such as condoms, if you had sex during the first week of taking the pill.

Mini pill

You can start taking the mini pill at any time. You will be protected against pregnancy after 48 hours (2 days) of taking the pill. If you have sex in the first two days, use another contraceptive, such as a condom.

You must take this pill at the same time every day. If you are taking it for more than 3 hours of the usual time, use another method of contraception for the next two days.

Start taking birth control pills after becoming pregnant

You can start taking the mini pill or the combination pill immediately after a miscarriage or childbirth.

Generally, you can start taking combination pills 3 weeks after delivery, but this depends on whether you are breastfeeding or not.

How do I take birth control pills?

Swallow the birth control pill whole with water. It doesn't matter whether you take it before or after eating.

Each package is marked with the day of the week. Take your first tablet the first day you start taking it.

For example, you will start taking birth control pills on Wednesday, then take the dose of birth control pills marked with the word “Wednesday” and continue the next day as indicated by the arrow on the blister.

It is recommended that you start a new pill pack on the same day as the previous pill pack.

Quoted from Kids Health, this contraceptive pill must be taken regularly without being missed, preferably at the same time every day.

So, taking birth control pills is not allowed and will not be effective if you just want to have sex.

You can determine the most comfortable consumption time for you so that you minimize the possibility of forgetting or shifting the time you take the pill.

What if you are late taking birth control pills?

If you miss a dose or take birth control pills for a day late, you are still protected against the risk of pregnancy. However, if you miss more than two doses or are days late (more than 48 hours), this may increase your risk of becoming pregnant.

Therefore, you need to pay attention to the recommendations below if you are late taking birth control pills:

If you are late taking birth control pills one day

If you are late taking birth control pills for more than a day, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, even if this means you are taking two pills a day.

This step is allowed, as long as it is not more than 12 hours on the same day. Then, continue to take the usual dose.

If you forget to take birth control pills for two days

If you forget to take your birth control pill for 2 days, you can take 2 pills for 2 days in a row, then continue with 1 pill as usual the next day.

You need to use a condom when having sex if you have missed the dose for more than 2 days. You may even need to consider using another form of contraception.

If you forget to drink and leave more than 7 birth control pills

If there are seven or more pills left in the pack after the last pill you forgot about, finish filling the blister as usual.

Then continue to rest (not take any pills) for 7 days or take the "reminder" pill before you start your next pack.

If you forget to drink and leave less than 7 birth control pills

If there are less than seven pills left in the pack after the last pill was missed, start immediately with a fresh blister the next day. This means you skip breaks without pills or placebo pills.

You may also need emergency contraception if you have missed two or more pills in the first week and had unprotected sex in the previous seven days.

Do not hesitate to consult with your obstetrician if you have doubts or problems in taking birth control pills.

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