When it comes to preventing pregnancy, there’s an abundance of birth control methods available. Whether you’re interested in the pill or want to learn more about other forms of contraception (such as the implant, IUD or patch), there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to choosing the birth control method that’s right for your body.
The birth control pill remains the most widely used prescription contraceptive method in the United States, according to a CDC analysis.
Birth control pills (oral contraceptives) are “pills that you take every day to prevent a pregnancy,” explains Dr. Lonna Gordon, MD, chief of Adolescent Medicine at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando, Florida.
Wondering what to expect before starting the pill? In conversation with USA TODAY, an expert answers your FAQs.
How to use the birth control pill
There are two types of birth control pills: combination oral contraceptive pills and progestin-only pills, according to Gordon.
Combination pills come in various dosing packets, containing a mix of “active” pills with hormones and “inactive” (hormone-free) pills taken daily. Typically, packs come in 21-day, 24-day, and 28-day cycles. The naming convention relates to how many days have active hormones and how many days have placebo pills, Gordon explains.
Progestin-only pills usually come in 28-day packs. Timing and precision are crucial with this type of pill; it must be taken at the same time daily to maintain effectiveness in preventing pregnancy.
How long does it take to adjust to the pill?
The body produces its own hormones, so when starting an oral contraceptive, the hormone levels will adjust based on what the pill provides. Gordon recommends allowing the body two to three cycles to adjust.
Once the pill is fully effective, it not only prevents pregnancy but can also help with hormonal acne and can lighten periods, alleviating menstrual pain. It may also lower the risk of uterine and ovarian cancers and can be prescribed for endometriosis.
How long does it take for the pill to work?
After starting the pill, you’ll need a week to prevent pregnancy, according to Gordon.
The time it takes for the pill to reach full effectiveness depends on the type of pill (combination or progestin-only) and your menstrual cycle.
For combination pills, if you start within five days of your period beginning, you are protected from the start. If you start at any other time, you won’t be protected until seven days after starting the pill, as per Planned Parenthood.
The progestin-only pill becomes effective after two days of use, according to Mount Sinai.
How effective is the pill?
“When discussing effectiveness, we differentiate between perfect use and typical use,” says Gordon.
With perfect use, both the combined and progestin-only pills are 99% effective at preventing pregnancy, according to Mayo Clinic. The typical use failure rate for both is 7%, according to the CDC.
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