SEX: How to take the Pill

Taking the Pill can be a bit tricky. No, not tricky like tap dancing or staying awake in History class, but there are a lot of things to remember and a lot of questions that can bounce around in your brain while you are taking the Pill, or deciding if the Pill is right for you. When do I take it? How many times? What happens if I miss one? These are some questions that some of our readers had after they had read the article in the magazine.

When is the best time to take the Pill?

To improve effectiveness you must remember to take the Pill everyday at the same time. The best time to take the Pill is when you think you will remember best or when you take other daily medication or vitamins. If you have a routine of getting up every morning at the exact same time or you go to bed at the exact same time every night, take it at these times. If you have lunch right at noon every day that would be a perfect time to take it. Most of the women that I have talked with take it at night when they go to bed because this is something that they do everyday at the same time, even on the weekends. Some set an alarm on their watch or cell phone to ring at the same time each day to remind them.

Another good way to keep track of taking your pill is to get your boyfriend (if there is one) to help out. If the two of you are having sex then it is just as much his responsibility to remember as it is yours.

If you forget to take a pill what should you do?

The first thing to remember is to always use a backup method of protection if you have missed any doses. If you have missed any pills in the first two weeks, use a backup method (condoms, cervical cap, etc.) for at least 48 hours. If you miss any pills in the third week, use a backup method for at least 7 days.

What are the chances of getting pregnant while on the Pill?

If used correctly, less than one out of every 100 women get pregnant while using the Pill. Eight out of every 100 women get pregnant while using the Pill if mistakes are made while taking it. 1 out of 100 is still bad odds if you're that one person, so many experts recommend additional protection, as well (more on that below).

What are some of the benefits of taking the Pill?

There are a ton of benefits to taking the Pill as we explained in the current issue of DASH. We have included a few of the most important ones from the magazine and a few extras.

A lot of women use the Pill to make their periods regular (regular means that it happens at the same time) and consistent.

Another cool thing about the Pill is that it not only can make your periods lighter (less blood and fluids), but also the premenstrual symptoms (like cramps, headaches, etc.) can be reduced and sometimes even eliminated.

Eight years of taking the Pill use reduces the risk of endometrial cancer (the endometrium is the uterine wall that holds eggs as they wait for the sperm) by up to 80 percent.
Ten years of taking the Pill reduces the risk of ovarian cancer by up to 80 percent

Does using a condom while taking the Pill help?

Most definitely! First off, remember that the Pill only protects you against pregnancy, and although it is extremely effective there is a chance that you can still get pregnant. If you use both a condom and the Pill at the same time and they are used correctly the percentages of havin' yo' self a kid is right around 0! Second and most importantly, condoms protect you from STD/STI’s (especially HIV/AIDS) which is another very important reason for you to use both methods at the same time!

What are those “extra” pills made of and why are they there?

Those "extra" pills are only reminder pills and are generally made of sugar. You don’t have to take these as long as you can remember when you start again. It doesn’t hurt to take them, because they will help you to remember to get a new package of pills and when you are supposed to start taking the Pill again.

Keep in mind that if you have any questions at all, your doctor or a sexual health counselor are both great resources. You can also get support and tons of information about the Pill and other sexual health issues from organizations like Planned Parenthood.