Patient handout: Tips on how to take the Pill
December 1, 2000 2 minutes read
Tips on how to take the Pill
• Associate pill-taking with another activity each day. Brushing teeth is probably the best option because it is done at night and in the morning, thus providing two reminders.
• Notice when you tend to miss pills. For most women, the weekend presents the most opportunities to miss pills. If you usually take your pills at night, go ahead and take them in the morning on those days. But, if you miss two days in a row of the active hormone pills, use condoms until you are back on active pills for seven days in a row.
• Get your next cycle of pills BEFORE the day you are to start your next pack. Extending the hormone-free interval probably increases the odds of becoming pregnant more than missing pills at any other time.
• If Sunday is not the best start day for you, choose another day. This is especially true if you tend to wait until the last minute to get your next pack, because some pharmacies have limited hours on Sundays.
• Do not be shy about calling your provider or clinic any time you have concerns or questions or if you’ve had unprotected intercourse.
• If you have had unprotected intercourse because you missed more than one pill without using condoms as a backup, call your provider’s office or clinic staff. They can prescribe an emergency dose of pills. The sooner you call, the better.
Source: Linda Potter, DrPH, Family Health Research, Princeton Junction, NJ.
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