• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness, PA Site Logo

Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness

North Carolina GYN Care & Treatment

  • (919) 525-3959
  • Schedule Appointment
  • About
    • Contact
    • Our Team
  • Patient Forms
  • Routine Care
    • Breast Care
    • Contraceptive Care
    • Emergency Contraception
    • Gardasil Vaccination
    • GYN Wellness Screening
    • HPV Counseling
    • PAP Test
    • STD Testing
    • Mammography
  • Conditions & Management
    • Abnormal PAP Smears
    • Endometriosis
    • Initial Evaluation of Infertility
    • Menopause & Peri-Menopause Care
    • Menstrual Disorders
    • PCOS
    • Pelvic Relaxation & Prolapse
    • Sexual Health & Sexual Dysfunction
    • Urinary Problems
    • Vaginal Dryness & Painful Sex
    • Vaginitis Care
  • Procedures
    • Colposcopy
    • Endometrial Biopsy
    • IUD Insertion
    • LEEP
    • MonaLisa Touch
    • Nexplanon
    • Nitrous Oxide
    • Pessary Fitting
    • Sonohysterography & Ultrasound
  • Patient Portal

Maximizing the Benefits: Tips and Tricks for Effective Use of Combination Birth Control

Raleigh Gynecology · June 26, 2023 ·

various birth control methodsBirth control is a personal choice. There are a few things to consider to decide whether the pill or another form of contraceptive care is right for you. The best contraceptive care option is the one that fits with your body and lifestyle. By consulting with your physician about your contraceptive care needs, you can make a healthy choice about pregnancy prevention.

Read about how to maximize the benefits of contraceptive care with tips and tricks for effective, combined birth control approaches to pregnancy prevention.

The Pill

Prescription birth control pills work by interrupting the ovulation cycle and by introducing hormones to the cervix, which causes a thickening of the mucus and the blocking of egg fertilization by sperm.

When taken as directed, the pill is up to 99% effective for pregnancy prevention. However, failure to adhere to a daily dosage schedule as directed increases pregnancy risk. There are currently two different types of birth control pill prescription:

  • Minipill – Single hormone: progestin.
  • Combination pill – Dual hormone: estrogen and progestin.

A secondary form of contraception should accompany the initiation of birth control pill use. Minipill initiation should be used with a back-up birth control method such as condoms for 48 hours.

Combination pill plan use should be combined with a secondary form of contraception for seven days unless the pill was initiated during the first five days of the menstrual period.

Both birth control pills are prescribed to be taken daily at the same scheduled time. Dosage time is crucial for minipill use, which is why the combination pill is often preferred.

Tip 1: Know The Facts

Using birth control as prescribed provides pregnancy prevention. The pill’s effectiveness is determined by type and dosage schedule. Here are tips for understanding birth control pill variants and their use by type.

The Minipill

  • Effective after ingestion for two consecutive days.
  • Flexible start to the cycle schedule of initiation.
  • Use backup contraception for the first two days after treatment is initiated.
  • It can be taken immediately post giving birth, miscarriage, or abortion.

The Combination Pill

  • Effective immediately if initiated within five days from the start of menstruation. In this situation no backup birth control method is required.
  • If initiated at an alternate point in the menstrual cycle, use of a condom for seven days is needed
  • It can be used six weeks after giving birth if breastfeeding; and three weeks if not breastfeeding.
  • It can be used immediately following an abortion or miscarriage.

Tip 2: Schedule a Time

Birth control pill packs were designed for the 28-day menstrual cycle. Combination pill packs commonly consisted of 21 hormone pills and seven sugar pills with no active ingredients.

The menstrual cycle period is active during the 7-day sugar pill phase of the combination pill pack. Minipill packs contain an entire cycle of a single hormonal dose tablet taken daily. An irregular menstrual period is a common effect of minipill use.

The trick to effective pregnancy prevention is proper contraceptive use. The timing of dose ingestion will determine if the pill can be relied on without extra protection. Schedule a convenient time. Use your mobile phone to set the alarm at the scheduled dosage time to avoid pregnancy risk and costly pack replacement.

Tip 3: What to Do If You Skip

The pill is 99% effective when used properly. The efficacy of birth control pill prescription corresponds with the dosage schedule and its continuity. Therefore, attention to timing of the daily dosage is key. Here are the guidelines following a skipped dose:

  • 1 missed pill – ingest a single dose immediately.
  • Two missed pills – ingest a single dose, with resumption of the regularly scheduled ingestion time with a single dose, even if falling on the same day.
  • 3+ missed pills – dispose of the existing pack and restart the treatment schedule with a new pack.
  • Use a backup birth control method or avoid intercourse for seven days after a skip.

Tip 4: Prevention Alternatives

centers for disease control and preventionThere are several other forms of contraception available. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends long-acting reversible contraception (LARC); the most effective birth control methods are procedurally implemented implant and intrauterine devices (IUDs) with <1% risk of pregnancy, Typical use failure rate of birth control pills is around9%.

Condoms are the only proven method of preventing the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Combining prescription birth control or LARC with condom use affords the flexibility of multi-contraceptive prevention and additional protection from STIs. Find out more about contraceptive care options available to you from a licensed physician.

Tip 5: Contraceptive Care Services

Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness is a licensed provider in North Carolina. Our practice specializes in routine care and contraceptive care services, including procedural methods.

Schedule an appointment to speak with a physician specialist about pregnancy prevention planning, and the benefits of the available contraceptive options.

Conditions and Management

Primary Sidebar

Contents

  • The Pill
  • Tip 1 Know The Facts
  • Tip 2 Schedule a Time
  • Tip 3 What to Do If You Skip
  • Tip 4 Prevention Alternatives
  • Tip 5 Contraceptive Care Services

Have A Question?

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Footer

Raleigh Gynecology

2304 Wesvill Court,Suite 210Raleigh, NC 27607(919) 636-6670

Link to company Facebook page

Link to company Twitter page

Link to company Instagram page


  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Patient Forms

Conditions & Management

  • Abnormal PAP Smears
  • Endometriosis
  • Initial Evaluation of Infertility
  • Menopause & Peri-Menopause Care
  • Menstrual Disorders
  • PCOS
  • Pelvic Relaxation & Prolapse
  • Sexual Health & Sexual Dysfunction
  • Urinary Problems
  • Vaginal Dryness & Painful Sex
  • Vaginitis Care

Procedures

  • Colposcopy
  • Endometrial Biopsy
  • IUD Insertion
  • LEEP
  • MonaLisa Touch
  • Nexplanon
  • Pelvic Floor Therapy
  • Pessary Fitting
  • Sonohysterography & Ultrasound

Routine Care

  • Breast Care
  • Contraceptive Care
  • Emergency Contraception
  • Gardasil Vaccination
  • GYN Wellness Screening
  • HPV Counseling
  • Mammography
  • PAP Test
  • STD Testing

© 2025 Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness, PA · Powered by 321 Web Marketing · Website Privacy Policy & Terms of Use

Popup Modal: No New Patients

We are currently not accepting new patients. We apologize for any inconvenience caused. Please check back later, as we are actively working to resolve this and hope to accept new patients soon. Thank you for your understanding.