Possible Warning
Signs
How To Start The
Pill
Birth Control
With The Pill
• Pain in the abdomen or chest
· Severe headaches
· Sudden shortness of breath or spitting up blood
· Unusual swelling or pain in the leg or arm
· Changes in the frequency, severity, or associated symptoms of
Schedule an appointment @ Beu Health Center by calling:
(309) 298-1888
All information was adapted from: www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/birthcontrol/the-pill.htm
and Hatcher, R.A., et al (2004). Contraceptive Technology (18th revised edition), Ardent Media,inc.
headaches, such as changes in vision.
· Worsening depression
· Yellowing of the skin or eyes
· A new lump in your breast
· Unusually heavy bleeding from your vagina
How To Start The
Pill
Your HCP will suggest one of three ways to begin taking the pill.
Quick Start: Take our first pill the day you receive your prescription. This is the
preferred method. Use a back-up method* for 7 days. You will not get your
period until you finish taking the active pills.
Western Illinois University
First-Day Start: Take your first pill on the first day of your next period.
Sunday Start: Take your first pill on the first Sunday, during your period. Use the
Western Illinois University
back-up method* for 7 days.
*back-up method refers to an alternative method of birth control.
Beu Health Center
1 University Circle
Macomb, IL 61455
Phone: (309) 298-1888
www.student.services.wiu.edu/beu
Rev. 4/08
Beu Health Center
309 298 1888
The Basics
Who Should Not Take
The Pill
Possible Side
Effects
The pill is the common name for oral contraception (OC). The pill is made of
Most healthy women can take the pill. You should not take the pill if you
As with all drugs, there may be some undesirable side effects for
the hormones like those commonly made by a woman’s ovaries. The pill
have an abnormal growth or cancer of the breast or think you might be
some women taking the pill. Side effects that usually clear up after
requires a medical evaluation and prescription by a medical health care
pregnant. You should not take the pill if you:
2 or 3 months include: bleeding between periods, breast tenderness,
professional. The pill can prevent pregnancy.
· Are 35 or older and smoke cigarettes
headache and nausea-(rarely vomiting).
Oral contraceptives usually work by preventing a woman’s ovaries from
· Have uncontrolled high blood pressure
· Have controlled high blood pressure and smoke cigarettes
If you continue to experience side effects after 3 months, your
releasing eggs (ovulation). They also thicken cervical mucus, which keeps sperm
· Have a history of blood clots or vein inflammation
health care provider will adjust your prescription. Side effects that
from joining with an egg.
· Have a history of heart valve problems
many not go away include: depression or changes in sexual desire.
· Have had an abnormal growth or cancer of the uterus
Taking the pill daily maintains the level of hormones that is needed to prevent
· Have had a severe liver disease or growths of the liver
pregnancy.
· Have certain conditions associated with diabetes
· Have certain inherited blood clotting disorders
· Have a history of heart attack or stroke
· Have a history of migraine headaches with aura
Effectiveness
· Need prolonged bed rest after major surgery
Serious problems do not occur very often. In general, using the pill
is much safer than pregnancy and childbirth. Pill users have a
slightly greater chance of certain major disorders than nonusers. This
Among perfect users (users who miss no pills and follow instructions perfectly),
risk is increased by being age 35 or older, smoking and/or having
only about 3 in 1000 are expected to become pregnant in the first year of
using the pill. The pill may be slightly less effective for overweight women.
Possible
Complications
Advantages
conditions associated with heart attack, diabetes, high blood pressure,
or high cholesterol and certain inherited conditions that increase the
Taking the pill is simple, safe and convenient. Besides preventing pregnancy,
Safety
there are other advantages in taking the pill: lighter menstrual flow, less
menstrual cramps, and improved acne. Also, the pill may provide protection
If a careful screening of users is performed the pill is safer for a woman’s health
than are pregnancy and delivery. Recent large scale studies show that OC use does
not increase the risk of death among non-smokers. The most recent literature
suggests that the pill has little, if any, effect on the risk of developing breast
cancer.
against: cancer of uterine lining, ovarian cancer, ectopic pregnancy, excess
body hair, osteoporosis, ovarian cysts, PMS, vaginal dryness, and iron
deficiency anemia which results from heavy periods.
risk of blood clotting. The most serious complications of OCs is
having a blood clot in the legs, lung, heart or brain. Serious
problems associated with the pill usually have warning signs. There is
a list of these signs on the reverse side. If any of the following
symptoms develop report them to your Beu health care provider as
soon as possible.