Center for Young Women's HealthAs long as you are taking your birth control pills at the same time every day and you haven’t missed any doses, the Pill will work. Brown discharge, often called … read more
Articles Tagged: birth control pills
What happens to the lining of your uterus if you take the Pill continuously and not get a period? Does it build up? Do you not grow a lining?
Great question! If you are NOT taking the Pill (oral contraceptive pills), each month, the lining of your uterus naturally thickens or “builds up” to prepare for a possible pregnancy. … read more
How long does it take the pill to kick in? Say I start the pill on Monday. Can I have unprotected sex on Friday?
No, you will not be protected from STIs or pregnancy. Birth control pills do not protect a woman from sexually transmitted infections. Birth control pills protect from pregnancy after 7 … read more
I started birth control the day that I filled my prescription, but that was halfway through my cycle. Should I still expect my regular period?
Since you started taking the Pill half-way through your menstrual cycle (rather than at the beginning of your cycle), your period will likely be later than usual- sometime after you … read more
I’m on the pill and I usually take it continuously so I don’t get a period. But this month I was going to take the placebo pills to have a period. What I’m wondering is: When do I start the hormone pills again? Right after my period ends even if there are placebo pills left? And how long after starting a new pack after my period can I have sex safely without a condom?
Congratulation for using birth control! As you know, using birth control pills “continuously” means that instead of taking the placebo pills (the different colored pills that are usually at the … read more
I read that taking birth control pills can help lower the risk of getting anemia. I have already been diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia; will going on the pill help?
Birth control pills are often prescribed by health care providers to treat certain medical conditions such as heavy periods. Because there is less menstrual bleeding when taking birth control pills, … read more
I take birth control pills. Do I have to take the “inactive pills”? Why do I have to bleed during this time?
Most birth control pill packages are made up of 21 days of active pills (one color) followed by 7 days of “inactive” pills (a different color), however there are some … read more
Is it normal not to bleed the full week of your period when using birth control pills?
Yes. When on the Pill, the lining of your uterus doesn’t become very thick so very little blood needs to come out each month. It is perfectly normal to have … read more
Continuous Hormonal Treatment
Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCPs), the Patch, and Vaginal Ring Hormonal treatment including birth control pills, the patch, and the vaginal ring may be taken cyclically (with a week break) or … read more
I accidently took the third week Sunday (birth control) pill instead of the second week Sunday (birth control pill). What should I do?
If all of the pills in the first three weeks of your pill pack are the same color, you don’t have to worry because they all contain the same amount … read more