Birth Control Pills (BCP) are essential for women who are sexually active but do not have any plans yet to get pregnant. Moreover, these medications are also prescribed to women for hormones, as these can help regulate the menstrual cycle and improve PMS symptoms. Just like with any medicine, BCP has a set of instructions that must be strictly followed—else, it simply won’t work as effectively!
The most standard BCP is a 28-day pill pack. However, there are some packs that have 23, 24, and 26 pills. Here, we will discuss what you need to know about the most common BCP that you will likely get prescribed:
Taking A 28-Day Pill Pack
Taking BCP may be intimidating at first, as there are quite a lot of things to keep in mind. To help keep you on top, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Read the instructions on the package.
- Have your doctor explain to you how to use it. Typically, you will be asked to take the first pill on the first day of your period.
- Take one pill every day at the same time.
- Set up reminders or alerts on your phone so you don’t forget to take your pill.
- When you finish the pack, you should immediately start with a new pack of pills the next day.
- You will get your period by the fourth week of your pill cycle, and it will stop when you start a new pack.
Missing A Pill
It’s not the end of the world when you miss a pill—and no, you won’t get pregnant right away! When you miss a pill, don’t panic and just take it as soon as you remember it. After that, make sure to have alerts set up on your phone, so you don’t forget it again.
Even if you take a missed pill, you can still take the pill that you’re supposed to take that day. Don’t worry about taking two pills on the same day; it won’t harm you at all!
Missing Multiple Pills
So, now this is when things get a bit tricky—missing multiple pills in a row. The protocol here is similar when you miss a single pill, but this time, you only take the most recently missed pill and discard the other missed pills. After this, you must continue to take the rest of your pills.
If you are sexually active and missed two or more pills, it’s best not to engage in sexual activity until you have taken your pills regularly for a week. However, if you still plan on having sex, make sure to use a condom to avoid an unwanted pregnancy.
For any emergencies or inquiries, feel free to reach out to your doctor. This way, they can properly advise you about what to do in your particular case if you missed out on multiple pills.
Conclusion
When taking BCP, it is essential that you take it every day at a specific time. However, things happen, and you might miss a pill—but don’t worry about it! You can still take your pills and get the results you want from it as soon as you remember.
Setting up alarms or notifications on your mobile is the easiest way to ensure you don’t miss a pill. You can also download a medication tracker app to help you—especially if you tend to be forgetful.
Are you having a difficult time tracking all the medication you take and looking for a way to help you stay on top of your schedules? Track your BCP and never miss a pill again with a reliable medication tracker app! Download My Medication Log now, and experience the convenience of never having to forget your pills again!