Q. If I take the Pill every day just as it says on the pack, how could I get pregnant accidentally?
A. The Pill is not 100 percent effective even if it is taken exactly as directed. Also if you are sick you could lose the effects of the Pill by vomiting or having diarrhoea before it has a chance to work. If you do vomit or have diarrhoea it would be best to follow the instructions for missed pills to be sure you are protected.
Another thing to watch for is that some antibiotics and other medications, and even natural therapies, may react with the Pill and stop it from working. You really need to talk to your doctor about this. If you have to see a different doctor for any reason, tell them that you are taking the Pill, so you are not given medication that could react with it.
Q. If I want to get pregnant, can I stop taking the Pill and get pregnant right away?
A. It takes the average woman about six months of trying to get pregnant even if she’s not taking the Pill and maybe a couple of months extra if she has been on the Pill. The problem is that this is an average. Some women get pregnant in the first month after they stop taking the Pill, and some perfectly normal women will still not be pregnant after 12 months of trying. If your periods aren’t back to normal after three or four months, or if you have been trying to get pregnant for more than twelve months, see your doctor or Family Planning Centre for advice.
Q, What if I miss a period when I’m taking the Pill?
A. You may miss a period while you are on the Pill. This is common and is usually nothing to worry about. As long as you have been taking the pills as directed, just keep taking them as usual. If you miss a second period see your doctor or Family Planning Centre for advice.
Q. Since I started taking the Pill my periods have been really short, and only last a few days and there hasn’t been much blood. The colour is darker too. Is this okay?
A. This is quite normal and happens to most women when they are taking the Pill.
Q. Should I have any special check ups when I am on the Pill?
A. You should check your own breasts every month after your period. If you don’t know how to do it, ask your doctor or a nurse to show you, or ask for a pamphlet on how to do it.
It’s a good idea to have your blood pressure taken, and your breasts checked for lumps when you go for a new prescription for the Pill. Ask the doctor or nurse to do these checks if they are not routine. You should also have a Pap test every two years, and sometimes more often if your Pap tests have been abnormal in the past.
Q. I know of someone who got brown blotches on her skin when she was sunbaking after she started taking the Pill. Is this common?
A. No, it isn’t common, but it can happen. These type of blotches are called chloasma, and are caused by an uneven skin response to the sun because of the oestrogen in the Pill. Once you are on the Pill it’s good to wear a hat and use a factor 15+ blockout sunscreen on any exposed skin if you’re out in the sun. If you get this skin reaction and it becomes a problem for you, the minipill (or other methods of contraception that don’t contain oestrogen) may suit you better.
Q. I have to have an operation and a friend told me I’ll have to stop taking the Pill before I go in to hospital. Is that true?
A. Yes, probably it is. You need to talk to your doctor as soon as possible because most women are asked to stop taking the Pill from between four to six weeks before they have surgery. If you do have to stop taking the Pill, remember to use other contraception like condoms, if you have sex. You should also stop taking the Pill if you have to stay in bed for a long time, or you have a leg in plaster. This is because if you are not moving around normally there is a risk that you could get blood clots.
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