Local Contraceptives > Birth Control Pills

Birth Control Pills

Also known as Combined Oral Contraceptives (COCs) , these are a type of hormonal contraceptives that uses synthetic versions of female hormones estrogen and progesterone to prevent ovulation.

The pill inhibits the hormones responsible for triggering ovulation by keeping estrogen levels stable, tricking the brain into thinking an egg has already been produced. Progesterone thickens the mucus of the cervix to prevent sperm from entering the uterus, and consequently fertilizing the egg.

Effectiveness
99.7% if taken on-time
Cost
Starts at around 100Php
Prescription
Required on purchase

Doctor's
Notes

A worry shared by a lot of girls are the side effects of pills. It's true that, at first, some people might experience headaches, while some get mood swings. Because the pills affect your hormones, they take effect in ways different for each person. But after some time, your body usually gets used to them, and those side effects eventually subside.

How it Works

Before going on the pill, it is heavily advised to seek for medical guidance first. Finding the most suitable contraceptive for you also means having your other health factors considered by a doctor.

Nonetheless, if you start taking birth control pills within the first five days of your period, they’ll start working right away, starting from the first pill. But if you start them at any other time in your cycle, you’ll need to take the pill every day for seven days before it becomes effective. During that first week, it's better to use another form of contraception during sex.

Start your daily intake of pills through these instructions:

1
Follow the specific intake instructions written on the packaging.
2
Take one pill, ideally at about the same time each day.

Generally, a pack of COCs usually has 21 pills. However, your Doctor may prescribe you with a 28-day pack, depending on your needs. The last 7 pills of the 28-Day pack are hormone-free or inactive, but are included in the packet to help you maintain the habit of taking pills everyday. The two packets differ in intake through these steps:

28-day Packet

1. Take one pill everyday over the course of 28 days

2. Start a new packet of COCs

21-day Packet

1. Take one pill everyday over the course of 21 days

2. Take nothing for the following week

3. Start a new packet of COCs

It is also important to note that missing more than one pill during your 21-day intake, delaying the start of a new packet, and intaking other drugs that affect your estrogen and progesterone hormones can disrupt the pill's contraceptive effects.

Birth control pills are not recommended for women with certain health risks and conditions (like liver disease and breast cancer). These also include women who are breastfeeding, pregnant, or over 35 years old and smoke. Taking medications like Rifampicin can also reduce the effectiveness of the contraceptive.

Common
side effects

Some women notice changes when starting the pill, like headaches, breast soreness, spotting between periods, irregular periods, weight changes, or feeling a bit nauseous. These are usually temporary and go away after a few months as your body adjusts. Especially since pills are hormonal, everyone reacts differently to them. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to check in with your healthcare provider to see what works best for you.