Archives: FAQ

Can I smoke cigarettes while taking the pill?

October 15, 2019

We don’t recommend it. It increases your risk of cancer and blood clots. But if you are under 35 and you only smoke 1-2 cig a day. It’s ok. But better to cut down/quit!

What are your thoughts on Yaz?

We prefer Yasmin to Yaz because Yaz only has 20 mcg of estrogen which is not optimal for women’s bone health. Also, we don’t prescribe Yasmin or Yaz unless the woman can commit to drinking at least 8 full glasses of water a day because it has a diuretic component and we don’t want the […]

Which pill should I take if I have acne?

Acne should get better on any of the birth control pills but Sprintec and Yasmin are best for clearing up acne. However, we don’t recommend Yasmin unless you have really bad acne and you can drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. Otherwise, you might end up with headaches.

How do I switch from one pill to another pill?

If you are having the withdrawal bleed/placebo week, just switch to the new pill and try to maintain the same week off pills. For example if you are on the 1st pill & the week before the sugar pills on your old medicine, start on the 2nd pill & the week before the sugar pills. Make […]

Should I switch from Norgestrel to Levonorgestrel?

Yes. Norgestrel = racemic mixture (L and R version). R version does not do anything and may add side effects you don’t need or want. Levonorgestrel = pure L enantomer = fewer side effects. It is the better version.

Why should I switch from my triphasic to a monophasic pill?

There is no reason to be on triphasic pill. Triphasic was made to “mimic” the normal cycling of a woman’s cycle. However, the monophasic makes your life smoother and allows you to skip your periods easier if you want to do that. Learn more about these two types of pills in our blog about combined […]

What should I know about Progestin Only Pills (POPs)?

POPs should be taken at the same time each day. Make sure to use condoms or abstain from sex for 2 days if POP is taken ≥3 hours late. Contact a doctor immediately if you experience abdominal pain. Take another pill immediately if you are vomiting within 2 hours of taking your pill because you need to […]

Does switching between birth control pills puts me at risk for pregnancy?

If you take the generic of whatever medication you were on previously that is okay. Generic just means that they were not first to market, but the active ingredient inside is the same. Generics are all interchangeable and you can switch between the pills, as long as you are taking a pill every day, you […]

What are the hormones in birth control?

There are 2 hormones in birth control pills: Estrogen – higher doses will increase the risk for blood clots but will also help with breakthrough bleeding or lower doses will also. Progesterone – causes 2 types of side effects Androgenic (acne), and progestin – higher progestin activity = less chance of bleeding. Norgestimate does not have a […]

Can you still get pregnant on birth control?

Yes it’s possible for several reasons: If you don’t take it every day, if you need a higher dose of hormones than you are on. and some people are just really fertile and get pregnant on the birth control pill even if they take it every day. If you think you might be pregnant, you […]

If I am taking the birth control pill, patch, or ring, why do I need to use condoms?

We recommend and encourage using condoms to protect yourself and your future children from sexually transmitted infections.

What to do I do if I forgot to take my birth control pill(s)?

If you missed 1 pill, take it as soon as you remember it. If you missed 2 days of pills in a row, take 2 today, and 2 tomorrow. If you missed 3 days of pills, you’ll probably get your period, you’re are at risk of getting pregnant. Consider taking some emergency contraception (Pandia Health […]