CONTRACEPTIVES

The Pill:
•  Remember to take the pill at the same time every day. When you start the 1 st packet, you will have an unsafe period whereby the pill is not effective yet, use condoms for 7 days.
•  If you miss a pill and it is less than 12 hours, take one as soon as you remember. Continue as normal.
•  If you are more than 12 hours late with taking your pill, continue to take your pill and use condoms for the next 7 days. You may experience breakthrough bleeding. If you had sex, ask the healthcare provider about emergency contraception.
•  If you missed 2 pills, use condoms and contact your nearest clinic for further assistance. If you had sex, ask about emergency contraception.
•  When you start using the pill initially, you may experience breast tenderness, nausea, head aches, increased appetite. Allow you body 3 months to adjust to the pill. If these symptoms persist, discuss other options with the healthcare provider.
•  Medication like antibiotics, diet pills and purgatives can affect the pill. Inform your doctor that you are using he pill.
•  Vomiting and diarrhoea can also affect the pill, use condoms if you experience this. Discuss when and how to restart with the healthcare worker.
•  If you experience any breakthrough bleeding while taking pill daily, please discuss this with the healthcare provider.
•  It is not advisable to give your body a rest from taking the pill.
•  It is advisable to use condoms as well to protect you against HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections.
•  The pill may not be used by women who are 35 years old and smoke, have cancers of the breasts/ womb/ mouth of the womb, high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, bloodclot in the legs.

next