- Contraceptive benefit wears off quickly
- Pills must be taken daily
- Possible side effects include nausea or breakthrough
bleeding
- Link pill-taking to a daily routine
- Encourage use of condoms for backup if pills not
taken correctly or if at risk for STIs
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Counseling about correct pill taking is particularly important
for young women. The contraceptive effect of the pill wears
off quickly once it has been discontinued. Pills must be taken
daily. If a young woman is not having sex regularly, it may
be easy to forget to take the pill. Also, a young woman may
stop taking the pill when she breaks up with a boyfriend. If
she resumes that relationship or starts another one and has
intercourse before restarting regular pill use, she may be at
risk for pregnancy.
Counseling can help young women prepare for possible side effects
such as nausea or breakthrough bleeding. Knowing what to expect
may reduce the likelihood that a young woman will discontinue
use if side effects occur.
Providers should encourage young women to link pill-taking
to a daily routine, such as teeth cleaning, to ensure correct
use. To maintain its contraceptive effect, the pill must be
taken daily except for a seven-day period between pill cycles,
when no active pill is needed. However, some pill packs are
designed for 28 days, with seven hormone-free or placebo pills
at the end of the cycle. This encourages an uninterrupted daily
routine of pill taking.
Providers should give condoms and explain when they need to
be used as a backup method of contraception. If pill use is
not begun during the first seven days of the cycle, condoms
should be used for the first seven days. Condoms should also
be used as a backup if two or more pills are missed. Providers
should also discuss the use of condoms for STI protection with
youth who are at risk.
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