Would you like to take contraceptive pills? How to do that?

If you decide to take the pills at the recommendation of your doctor, you should know a few details, too. Here you can find the most important information.

When choosing a contraception method, you have to take into account the reliability of the various methods - how safely they protect you from unwanted pregnancy. One of the most frequently applied methods is taking contraceptive pills.

The most important information about the pill

• There are two big groups: combined pills containing oestrogen and gestagen (progesterone), while the other group only contains progesterone. Both of them prevent pregnancy only during their application.
• These pills are prescription-bound, when you need it, you have to visit your gynaecologist, who examines you at the first visit - this is how they can choose the appropriate pill for you. Later, when you are already taking the pill, you GP can also prescribe it.
• The pill is hugely reliable in avoiding unwanted pregnancy, but for this it is absolutely necessary that you always take them regularly according to instructions. If you are starting now, set your smartphone or watch to remind you of taking your daily pill.
• Ask for your gynaecologist’s help in selecting the pill for you, they will take several factors into account. It is important to know your family medical history, i.e. if you had anyone with thrombosis or similar disease, maybe breast cancer. It is equally significant that your doctor knows about your own medical history and illnesses.
  Your age, smoking habits, skin problems, painful period are all factors that your gynaecologist takes into account. The gynaecologist will examine you at the first visit, then monitor you later.

• You have to start taking the pill at the first day of your period, if you start it on the 2^nd-5^th days of the cycle, the next 7 days are not covered yet, so you have to use additional methods, e.g. condom.
• When starting a new, combined contraceptive pill, you may experience some spotting (of blood). This is quite frequent, you do not have to stop taking the pill because of this.
• Always keep the package leaflet, later you might need the information about the pill, e.g. when you have to take antibiotics, or if you experience diarrhoea or vomiting, as the effect of the pill can change in these cases.

Should you experience any side effects, visit your gynaecologist.