How do I take birth control pills?

The most common pill packs come with 21 active hormone pills and seven placebo pills, but some packs have 23, 24, or even 28 active pills. The example shown below is for a 28–day pill pack in which you take 21 active hormone pills, and then seven placebo pills that contain no active hormones. These last seven pills are just "reminder" pills in most pill brands. They are taken during the fourth week, including during your period. With packages that have 24 active pills, the last 4 are "reminder" pills. There are also pill packages that have 84 active pills for continuous hormones and 7 "reminder" pills. Your health care provider will tell you whether you will be taking the active pills continuously or in cycles as illustrated below.

 

1. To take the Pill, follow the instructions on the package. Your health care provider will explain how to use your pill pack. You will be told to start taking the oral contraceptive pill on a Sunday, on the first day of your menstrual period, or the day you are seen by your health care provider.
2. You should take one Pill each day, at the same time of day until you finish the pack. Take the Pill at the same time as something that you do regularly so you don't forget. For example, you could keep them near your toothbrush, or set your cell phone alarm as a reminder. The best time is ½ an hour after a complete meal such as dinner or at bedtime. You may have slight nausea the first month, but this usually goes away with time. Some young women who take the Pill first thing in the morning find that they are more likely to have nausea, especially if they skip breakfast, so taking the pill at dinnertime may cure this symptom.
3. After completing a 28–day pack, you should immediately start a new packet of pills the next day. During your fourth week on the pill cycle, you should get your menstrual period. Your menstrual period should stop once you begin the new packet of pills.