Contraceptive pill
The contraceptive pillContraceptive pillPill that prevents pregnancy (a method of contraception). The contraceptive pill is only…Read more is a method of contraception.
The contraceptive pill is usually a pack containing 21 pills. Sometimes one pack contains more pills.
The contraceptive pill contains 2 hormones. These hormones prevent ovulationOvulationMoment at which a ripe egg cell is released from 1 of the…Read more. They also make it more difficult for sperm cells to enter the uterusUterusOrgan in a woman's belly in which a foetus can grow.Read more and the uterus is not made suitable for the implantationImplantationWhen a fertilized egg cell attaches to the mucous membrane of the uterus.…Read more of an egg.
There is also a contraceptive pill that contains 1 hormoneHormoneSubstance produced by the body. Hormones are important for different bodily functions, including fertility…Read more, the mini-pill.
Contraceptive pill
How to take the contraceptive pill
A pack with 21 pills should be used in the following way:
- Take 1 pill every day at the same time. The days of the week are usually marked on the back of the pack. You can check that you did not forget to take a pill.
- After 21 days (3 weeks) the pack is finished.
- For the next 7 days (1 week), you do not take any pills. This week you will begin to lose bloodBloodRed fluid that has important functions in the body, for example: carrying oxygen…Read more through the vaginaVaginaPart of the inner sexual organs of a woman. The vagina connects the…Read more (menstrual period). In this week you are also protected against pregnancyPregnancyThe time when a woman is expecting a baby. The pregnancy begins when…Read more.
- After 7 days (1 week) you start a new pack of pills, even if you are still bleeding.
- Continue following the previous steps.
Take 1 pill from the pack every day at the same time.
After 21 days (3 weeks) the pack is finished. This week your menstrual period will start. After 7 days (1 week) you start a new pack of pills, even if you are still bleeding.
Reliable
The contraceptive pill is reliable if used correctly.
The contraceptive pill can be less reliable, if:
- You do not always take it at the same time (especially if you take the pill more than 12 hours after the time you usually take it);
- You vomit within 2 hours of taking the pill;
- You have runny diarrhea;
- You are taking certain medicines such as St John’s wort. Tell your doctorDoctorSomeone who is trained to cure sick people. Doctors can prescribe medicines. A…Read more you are taking the contraceptive pill. He will take this into account when prescribing medicines.
- You forget to take a pill.
Only taking a contraceptive pill on the days that you have sexual intercourseSexual intercourseSexual act in which the penis penetrates (enters) the vagina or anus.Read more is not reliable at all.
Reliable
What to do if you forgot to take 1 or more pills?
You are not well protected against pregnancy anymore if you have forgotten:
- the first pill of a new strip;
- two or more pills in the first 7 days (week 1) of the strip;
- three or more pills between day 7 and day 14 (week 2) of the strip;
- two or more pills in the last 7 days of the strip (week 3).
Did you have sexual intercourse when one of these situations applied to you in the past 5 days, then there is a chance you are pregnant. Use emergency contraceptionContraceptionMeans and methods of preventing pregnancy. Condoms and the contraceptive pill are examples…Read more (morning after pill) if you do not want to become pregnant.
When you have taken the pill for 7 days in a row again, you will be protected against a pregnancy again. During those 7 days use a condomCondomCovering of thin rubber that a man wears over his erect penis. A…Read more if you want to have sexual intercourse.
If you have forgotten multiple pills in week 3, you can do 2 things:
- Do not finish the strip and have a pill-free week of 4 to 7 days. Then continue with a new strip.
- Do not have a pill-free week if this strip runs out.
Use a condom when having sexual intercourse in the next 7 days.
If you have had unprotected sex in the previous 5 days and you do not want to get pregnant...
Take emergency contraception (morning after pill) as soon as possible.
Other situation?
Have you forgotten:
- 1 pill, but not the first pill of the strip;
- 2 pills in week 2 (day 7 to 14)?
Then the following applies:
- Take the last pill that you forgot as soon as possible, even if it means taking 2 pills on the same day.
- Continue to take the rest of the pills in the pack as usual.
- You are protected against unintended pregnancyUnintended pregnancyWhen a woman is pregnant and did not plan to get pregnant. The…Read more.
- You do not need emergency contraception (morning after pill) if you have had unprotected sexSexAll acts that can sexually arouse you. Sex is more than sexual intercourse.…Read more in the past few days.
Take the contraceptive pill as soon as possible, even if it means taking 2 pills on the same day.
Continue to take the rest of the pills in the pack as usual.
If you forgot to take 2 or more pills in different weeks of the pack, ask a healthcare professional for help.
If you frequently forget to take a pill, you can use something to help you remember or talk to a doctor about a different method of contraception.
No damage to your healthHealthFeeling physically, mentally and socially well in your environment. Health is more than…Read more
The pill contains hormones. These hormones usually do not damage your health. However, in some cases it is better to choose a different method of contraception. Ask a doctor for advice.
The contraceptive pill does not make you less fertileFertileIf you are fertile, you are able to have a baby (if you…Read more. If you want to get pregnant, just stop taking the pill.
Taking the pill will not make you gain weight.
Taking the pill will not make you gain more body hair.
During the first months that you take the contraceptive pill, the pill may cause side-effects such as tender breasts, minor bleeding between menstruation, headaches and nausea. These effects usually disappear spontaneously. If they do not disappear, consult a doctor. There are different kinds of contraceptive pills. Together with a doctor, you can find the contraceptive pill most suitable for you.
Your menstruationMenstruationThe loss of blood once a month through a woman's vagina. Menstruation lasts…Read more often become less heavy and less painful.
No protection against HIVHIVA virus (human immunodeficiency virus) that affects the natural immune system. When someone…Read more and STIs
The contraceptive pill does not protect against STIs or HIV. Only a condom can protect you.
Condom
Mini-pill
You can also take the mini-pill. It is similar to the regular contraceptive pill, but a pack of mini-pills contains 28 pills instead of 21.
The mini-pill contains 1 hormone. The hormone prevents ovulation and makes it more difficult for sperm cells to enter the uterus and reach the egg cellEgg cellFemale sex cell. A woman is born with many egg cells in her…Read more. It also makes the uterus not suitable for implantation of the egg cell. The difference from the regular pill with 2 hormones is that with the minipill there is no pill-free week and also no montly bleeding. The mini-pill is as safe as the regular pill.
You can take the mini-pill if you are breast-feeding.
The most common side-effects of the mini-pill are irregular menstruation and absence of, or a reduction in, menstruation.
Mini-pill
How to take the mini-pill
Take the mini-pill in the following way:
- Take 1 pill every day at the same time;
- When you finish a pack after 28 days (4 weeks), start a new one the next day. You continue to take the mini-pill during your menstrual period.
The mini-pill is less safe if you forget to take it for more than 12 hours after your usual time.
Take 1 pill every day at the same time.
When you finish a pack after 28 days (4 weeks), start a new one the next day. You continue to take the mini-pill during your menstrual period.
Buying the contraceptive pill
You need a prescriptionPrescriptionSmall paper on which the doctor writes which medicines you have to take. With…Read more from your family doctor, gynaecologistGynaecologistDoctor specializing in health care during pregnancy, contraception and women's diseases. A gynaecologist…Read more or midwifeMidwifeA trained person who helps a pregnant woman before, during and after delivery.…Read more to buy the contraceptive pill. You cannot buy the contraceptive pill without a prescription. You can get the contraceptive pill in a pharmacyPharmacyShop where you can get medicines with a prescription from your doctor. Read more only.
Until the age of 21, most forms of contraception are reimbursed by your health insurance. However, you first have to pay the excessExcessThe excess (eigen risico) is the amount you have to pay yourself if…Read more (eigen risico) of your health insurance policy. Check with your health insurance provider to find out how much will be reimbursed. From the age of 21, contraception is only reimbursed if you have taken out additional insurance for contraception.
Are you an asylum seeker and living in an asylum seekers’ centre? In that case contraception is free.
In the Netherlands, there are various kinds and brands of contraceptive pill available. These vary greatly in price (12 to 60 Euros per year, depending on the brand, your health insurer and the personal contributionPersonal contributionMoney that is not reimbursed to you by the health insurance fund when…Read more (eigen bijdrage) laid down in your insurance policy). Ask a healthcare professional for more information.
