Effects of taking two birth control pills

Remembering to take a pill every day can be hard. And some people get side effects that bother them (but they usually go away in a few months).

It’s really important to take your birth control pill every day, or you might not be protected from pregnancy. Using our birth control reminder app, setting an alarm, or keeping your pill pack next to things you use every day (like your toothbrush or phone charger) can help you remember to take your pills.

If you have a really busy life and think you might not remember your pill every day, check out other birth control methods like IUDs or the implant that are super low-maintenance and almost impossible to mess up. Take our quiz to help find the birth control method that’s best for you.

There can be negative side effects.

Like all medications, birth control pills can have side effects. But most usually go away after 2 or 3 months. Many people use the pill with no problems at all. You can keep track of any side effects with our app.

The most common side effects are spotting or bleeding between periods (this is more common with progestin-only pills), sore breasts, nausea, or headaches. But these usually go away after 2 or 3 months, and they don’t happen to everyone who takes the pill.

Birth control shouldn’t make you feel sick or uncomfortable. Luckily, there are many different types of birth control, so you’ve got options. If you keep having side effects that bother you after using the pill for 3 months, talk with your nurse or doctor about trying another brand of pill or another birth control method. But don’t stop taking the pill without starting a new method, or you won’t be protected from pregnancy.

There can be some rare but serious risks.

Serious problems from taking the birth control pill are very rare. People using birth control that has estrogen, like combination pills, have a slightly higher chance of having a few rare but dangerous problems than people who don’t use birth control with hormones. Read more about birth control pill safety.

For more information about side effects and risks, talk with your nurse or doctor or read the package insert that came with your pills.

There are two types of oral contraception available in Australia – the combined pill, known as ‘the pill’, and the mini pill. The pill contains the hormones oestrogen and progestogen. The mini pill contains only progestogen. Both are taken daily, and are available on prescription. They are very effective forms of contraception if used correctly.

What is the pill?

The pill is a daily tablet (also known as the combined pill or oral contraceptive pill). The pill contains two hormones – oestrogen and progestogen. These are similar to hormones that are produced by the ovaries.

How effective is the pill?

If used correctly the pill is at least 99 per cent effective at preventing pregnancy. Allowing for mistakes, it is 93 per cent effective.

What stops the pill from working?

The pill may not work if:

• you miss a pill or it is taken more than 24 hours late
• you vomit within three hours of taking it
• you have very severe diarrhoea
• you are taking some medications or natural remedies. (Check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.)

How do I use the pill?

You use the pill by swallowing one pill around the same time every day.

There are many different brands of the pill. Most come in a 28-day pack that includes both hormone and sugar pills. Speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist for advice about which brand is most suitable for you.

You will usually have your period (bleeding from your vagina) while taking the sugar pills. You can skip your period by missing the sugar pills and continuing to take the hormone pills each day.

How does the pill work?

The pill works by stopping the ovaries from releasing an egg each month.

It also thickens the fluid around the cervix (opening to the uterus or womb) to prevent the sperm from entering.

When you start the pill for the first time, or after a break from the pill, it can take up to 12 days to start working to prevent pregnancy. This depends on whether you start with the hormone pill or sugar pill. Speak with a doctor, nurse or pharmacist about the best way to start taking the pill.

Where can I get the pill?

Your doctor can provide a script for the pill which you can take to the pharmacy. Some brands may be more expensive than other brands. Some brands will be cheaper if you have a healthcare card.

What is good about the pill?

The pill can:

• be used to skip your period
• make your periods become lighter, more regular, and less painful
• improve acne
• reduce your chance of getting cancer of the uterus (womb), ovaries and bowel
• help with symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis.

Once you stop taking the pill your fertility quickly returns to normal.

Possible side effects for a small number of people who take the pill can include:

• irregular vaginal bleeding
• nausea
• sore or tender breasts
• headaches
• bloating
• changes to your skin
• mood changes.

These side effects often settle with time. The pill has not been shown to cause weight gain.

Can the pill cause any serious health problems?

The pill causes a very small increase in your risk of deep vein thrombosis (blood clot), heart attack or stroke. It may also lead to a tiny increase in your risk of breast cancer. The risk of developing breast cancer due to vaginal ring or pill use in people aged under 35 years is 1 in 50,000.

When is the pill not a good option?

The pill may not be a good option for you if you:

• find remembering to take a daily tablet difficult
• have certain types of migraine or headache
• are very overweight
• have a close family member who has had a deep vein thrombosis
• are taking certain types of medication which might stop the pill from working (check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist)
• have had some health conditions such as high blood pressure, heart or liver disease (check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist)
• are over 35 years and smoke
• have been treated for breast cancer
• are unable to move around for a long time (for example, because of surgery or disability).

What if I miss a pill?

If you miss a pill:

• Take the missed pill as soon as you notice (this may mean taking two pills on the same day).
• Continue to take your pills as normal.
• Use condoms for the next seven days.
• If you have had sex without a condom in the seven days before missing a pill, you may need emergency contraception or you may need to skip your next sugar pills and start a new pill pack in the hormone section. This depends on where you are up to in the pill packet (check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist).

What happens if I get pregnant while I’m taking the pill?

The pill won’t harm the pregnancy. It is safe to continue the pregnancy (and stop the pill) or to have an abortion.

Can I take the pill after I’ve had a baby?

If you are breastfeeding, do not use the pill until your baby is six weeks old, as it may reduce your supply of breast milk and may increase your risk of thrombosis. After six weeks you can use the pill but other types of contraception might be better choices (check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist).

If you are not breastfeeding, you can start using the pill once your baby is three to six weeks old (check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist).