
What are possible side effects of using the combined hormonal birth control pill?Īura: A sensation or feeling, such as flashing lights, a particular smell, dizziness, or seeing spots, experienced just before the onset of certain disorders like migraine attacks or epileptic seizures.īreakthrough Bleeding: Vaginal bleeding at a time other than the menstrual period.Ĭardiovascular Disease: Disease of the heart and blood vessels.Ĭervix: The lower, narrow end of the uterus at the top of the vagina.ĭeep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): A condition in which a blood clot forms in veins in the leg or other areas of the body.Įndometriosis: A condition in which tissue that lines the uterus is found outside of the uterus, usually on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and other pelvic structures.Įstrogen: A female hormone produced in the ovaries.įibroids: Benign growths that form in the muscle of the uterus.In time, your bleeding may become lighter and may even stop. With both brands, you will have your period on the last 7 days every 3 months.ģ65-day pills-Take one pill at the same time each day for a year. Depending on the brand, the last seven pills either contain no hormones or contain estrogen only. During the days you are taking the hormone-free pills, you will have your period.ĩ0-day pills-Take one pill at the same time each day for 84 days. The remaining pills may be estrogen-only pills pills that contain a dietary supplement, such as iron, but no hormones or inactive pills (containing no hormones or supplements). Depending on the brand, the first 21 pills or the first 24 pills contain estrogen and progestin.


During the week you are not taking the pill, you will have your period.Ģ8-day pills-Take one pill at the same time each day for 28 days. Can I use combined hormonal birth control methods while I am breastfeeding?Ģ1-day pills-Take one pill at the same time each day for 21 days.However, the risk of DVT is higher during pregnancy and in the weeks after childbirth than when taking drospirenone-containing pills or using the patch. The risk of DVT also may be slightly higher in women taking pills containing a progestin called drospirenone and in women using the patch. If you have additional risk factors for DVT, you should wait to use combined hormonal methods until after the first 4–6 weeks following delivery. You should not use combined hormonal methods during the first 3 weeks after delivery because the risk of DVT is higher in the weeks after childbirth. The risk is higher in some women, including women older than 35 years who smoke more than 15 cigarettes a day or women who have multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes a history of stroke, heart attack, or DVT or a history of migraine headaches with aura. Combined hormonal methods are safe for most women, but they are associated with a small increased risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), heart attack, and stroke.
