Using contraception is a very common thing and is often done by couples who want to delay pregnancy. There are various contraceptive methods used, one of which is birth control pills.
Quoted from BKKBN Quality Monitoring (MONIKA), birth control pills work by preventing the release of egg cells from the ovaries. Apart from that, this contraception can also thicken the uterine mucus, which can interfere with the meeting between sperm and egg.
If you use birth control pills, you must be consistent in continuing to take them. There is a schedule for taking birth control pills that must be adhered to. But, the question that many people ask is, what if you forget to take birth control pills for a week, is it safe or not?
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Forgetting to take birth control pills does not have a bad impact on your health
Birth control pills are a type of hormonal contraception, which means that each pill contains hormones that function to prevent pregnancy. Experts and doctors agree that birth control pills must be taken regularly to get maximum benefits.
However, there is no need to worry if at any time you forget to consume it for several days or even a week. Based on research, forgetting to take birth control pills will not cause you to experience serious health problems. This is as quoted from Rompers.
In terms of health, forgetting to take birth control pills will not cause problems. However, some mild complaints may occur due to hormonal changes, such as the appearance of acne on the face.
Forgetting to take birth control pills: can increase the risk of pregnancy
Even though it is safe for health, this does not mean that forgetting to take birth control pills is considered safe for mothers who want to delay pregnancy. Once you stop taking birth control pills for a week, the hormones in the body will work as before and the risk of pregnancy will increase.
The risk can even increase again if when you forget to take birth control pills, the mother is in her fertile period and has intimate relations with her husband. The effectiveness of birth control pills has definitely decreased, which can increase the risk of pregnancy.
Therefore, you should immediately take birth control pills again as soon as you realize it. Make sure to drink it on schedule or don’t skip it.
“If you skip or ignore taking the pill, it is possible that the woman will not realize that she is pregnant, and that is the only drawback,” said a specialist obstetrician and gynecologist at Duke Health, Dr. Jennifer Howell.
If you are very worried about the possibility of getting pregnant after forgetting to take birth control pills, it would be a good idea for you to do an independent pregnancy check. Also pay attention to the early pregnancy symptoms you feel after forgetting to take birth control pills.
Illustration of birth control pills/ Photo: iStockphoto
Various types of birth control pills
There are several types of birth control pills that can be an option if you want to delay pregnancy. Each type has different rules and ways of use. Here’s the explanation:
1. Combination birth control pills
This type of birth control pill contains the hormones estrogen and progestin. Apart from being useful for preventing pregnancy, combination birth control pills can also make menstruation more regular and relieve complaints that occur during menstruation.
Combination birth control pills can also reduce the risk of ectopic pregnancy, ovarian cancer, and other pelvic inflammatory diseases. This type of contraception will also not interfere with sexual relations.
Mothers who are breastfeeding should first consult a doctor if they want to take combination birth control pills. Because these birth control pills can interfere with breast milk production.
2. Pil KB progestin
Reporting from Very Well Health, progestin birth control pills only contain the hormone progesterone in each pill. This type of birth control pill is also known as the breastfeeding birth control pill or mini pill because of its relatively small size and dose.
Progestin birth control pills are divided into two types, namely birth control pills consisting of 35 pills and those consisting of 28 pills. If you are taking 35 birth control pills, you should start taking them on the first day of menstruation. Meanwhile, for the 28 pills, mothers can start taking them at any time.
The effectiveness of this birth control is very high in preventing pregnancy, reaching 97 percent. In addition, progestin birth control pills will not affect breast milk production and interfere with sexual relations. However, taking the pill may cause weight gain and changes in menstrual patterns.
The correct way to consume birth control pills
Taking birth control pills really has to be done regularly so that you can get maximum benefits. Many obstetricians recommend that women take birth control pills at the same time every day.
Apart from that, it is very important to follow the instructions given by your doctor before taking birth control pills. If you experience any side effects after consuming birth control pills, please consult a doctor.
For mothers who have a history of certain diseases, such as hypertension, you also need to consult a doctor before choosing birth control pills as a contraceptive. Lastly, don’t just believe the myths about contraception. Ask a doctor to find out the facts.
So, that’s a brief explanation of the rules for consuming birth control pills and their safety. You can forget to take them for a week. Hopefully this information is useful.
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(ank/ank)