To avoid unwanted pregnancy, you should take 1 tablet of contraceptive every day until the end of the pack, always at the same time.
Most contraceptives carry 21 tablets but there are also pills with 24 or 28 tablets, which differ by the amount of hormones they have, the time of pause between the cards and the occurrence or not of menstruation.
How to take the contraceptive for the first time
To take the 21-day contraceptive for the first time, you should take the 1st tablet of the pack on the 1st day of your period and continue taking 1 tablet per day at the same time until the end of the pack, following the instructions in the package insert. When you are done, you should take a 7-day break at the end of each card and start the next only on the 8th day, even if the menstruation has ended earlier or is not over.
The following figure gives the example of a contraceptive of 21 tablets, in which the 1st tablet was taken on March 8 and the last tablet was taken on March 28. Thus, the interval was made between March 29 and April 4, when menstruation should have occurred, and the next card should begin on April 5.
For pills with 24 long, the pause between cartons is only 4 days, and for pills with 28 capsules there is no pause. If you are in doubt, see How to Choose the Best Contraceptive Method.
How to take the 21-day contraceptive
- Examples: Selene, Yasmin, Diane 35, Level, Femina, Gynera, Cycle 21, Thames 20, Microvlar.
You should take 1 tablet per day until the end of the pack, always at the same time, totaling 21 days with the pill. When the card is finished, you should take a 7-day break, which is when the menstruation should come down, and start a new card on the 8th day.
How to take the 24-day contraceptive
- Examples: Minimal, Mirelle, Yaz, Siblima, Iumi.
You should take 1 tablet per day until the end of the pack, always at the same time, totaling 24 days with a pill. You should then take a 4-day break, when menstruation usually occurs, and start a new chart on the 5th day after the break.
How to take the 28-day contraceptive
- Examples: Micronor, Adoless, Gestinol, Elani 28, Cerazette.
You should take 1 tablet per day until the end of the pack, always at the same time, totaling 28 days with a pill. When you finish the card, you should start another one the next day, without pausing between them. However, if there is frequent bleeding, the gynecologist should be sought to re-evaluate the amount of hormones needed to regulate the menstrual cycle and, if necessary, prescribe a new contraceptive.
How to take injectable contraceptives
There are 2 different types, monthly and quarterly.
- Examples of Monthly: Perlutan, Preg-less, Mesigyna, Noregyna, Cycloprovera and Cyclofemine.
The injection should be applied by the nurse or pharmacist, preferably on the 1st day of menstruation, with a tolerance of up to 5 days after the descent of the menses. The following injections should always be applied every 30 days. Learn more about taking this contraceptive injection.
- Quarterly Examples: Depo-Provera and Contraceptive.
The injection should be applied up to 7 days after the reduction of menstruation, and the following injections should be applied after 90 days, and there can be a delay of more than 5 days to ensure the effectiveness of the injection. Find out more curiosities about taking this quarterly contraceptive injection.
What time to take the contraceptive?
The contraceptive pill can be taken at any time of the day, but it is important that it is taken at the same time to avoid the decrease of its effect. So, do not forget to take the contraceptive, some tips are:
- Put a daily alarm on the phone;
- Keep the carton in a well-visible and easily accessible place;
- Associate intake of the pill with a daily habit, such as brushing teeth.
It is also important to remember that the ideal is to avoid taking the pill fast as it can cause discomfort and pain in the stomach.
What to do if you forget to take it at the right time
In case of forgetfulness, you should take the forgotten tablet as soon as you remember, even if it is necessary to take 2 tablets at the same time. If forgetfulness has been for less than 12 hours after the usual contraceptive schedule, the effect of the pill will be maintained and the remainder of the pack should be continued normally.
However, if the oblivion has been forgotten for more than 12 hours or more than 1 pill has been forgotten in the same card, the contraceptive may have its effect diminished, and the package insert must be read to follow the manufacturer's instructions and use a condom to prevent pregnancy. See more in: What to do if you forget to take the contraceptive.
What to do if your period does not go down?
If menstruation does not go down during the contraceptive pause period and all pills have been taken correctly, there is no risk of pregnancy and the next chart should be started normally.
In cases where the pill has been forgotten, especially when you have forgotten more than 1 tablet of the same card, there is risk of pregnancy and ideally a pregnancy test that is bought at the pharmacy or blood test in a laboratory.
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