Birth Control Pills, Patch, or Ring

Other factors to consider include the following:

• Birth control hormones may not be as effective when combined with Reference other medicines. Whenever you get a new prescription, be sure to tell your doctor or pharmacist that you are taking birth control hormones. When you start using hormonal birth control, be sure to tell your doctor about all medicines and supplements you are taking.
• If you want to be able to start a planned pregnancy soon after you stop long-term use of birth control hormones, hormone shots (such as Depo-Provera) may not be a good choice. They can make it hard to get pregnant for several months after you stop them.
• If you are taking birth control hormones, Reference take special precautions for backup birth control if you miss or skip pills.
• Birth control pills may not be as effective if you are vomiting or have diarrhea. Use another method of birth control for 7 days after vomiting or diarrhea, even if you have not missed any pills.
• The pill and the patch may not work as well if you are overweight. If you are overweight, ask your doctor about which birth control methods are right for you.

Be sure to use a backup birth control method during the first 7 days of starting hormonal birth control.

Reference Emergency contraception Opens New Window is available if any birth control method fails and you are concerned about unprotected sex.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a Reference PDF Opens New Window document?) to help you understand this medication.

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