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The Birth Control Pill

What is a birth control pill? 

  • The birth control pill is an oral contraceptive. 
  • It contains man-made hormones similar to the natural hormones that already exist in your body.

How does the Pill work? 

  • The Pill prevents your ovaries from releasing an ovum (egg) each month. 
  • The Pill makes the cervical mucus thicker. This makes it harder for sperm to get into the cervix. 
  • The lining of the uterus gets thinner so it is harder for a fertilized egg to stick to the uterus. So that even if an egg is produced and fertilized, it will not develop.

Does the Pill protect me from STI’s? 

  • No. The Pill does not protect you against sexually transmitted infections. 
  • A lways use a latex condom when you have sex. This will reduce your risk of getting an STI.

Where can I get the Pill?
Birth control pills require a prescription from a physician or nurse practitioner. You can take your prescription to:

  • A pharmacy
  • A teen clinic 
  • A sexual health clinic
Will the Pill affect my period? 
  • The birth control pill should make your period regular. 
  • You may not bleed as much, or have as many cramps.
Does anything stop the Pill from working? 
  • Talk to your health care provider before using other medications, or if experience vomiting or diarrhea while taking the pill.
How effective is the Pill?  
  • The Pill prevents pregnancy 97-99% of the time, with perfect use. 
  • It is very effective when you take one every day at the same time.
Are there any side effects?
Minor side effects - When you begin taking the Pill you may feel some minor side effects. These are not dangerous. If they are very uncomfortable or last longer than a few months, talk to your health care professional.
Minor side effects include: 
  • Nausea (sometimes taking the Pill with food or before bedtime helps get rid of nausea) 
  • Headaches 
  • Tiredness 
  • Depression or sadness 
  • Weight change 
  • Less interest in sex 
  • Sore breasts 
  • Acne (pimples) 
  • Bleeding between periods 
  • Very light or missed periods 
  • Increased hair growth.
Serious side effects - A very small number of women suffer more serious side effects.
See a doctor immediately if you have:
  • Abdominal pain (severe) 
  • Chest pain (severe), cough, shortness of breath 
  • Headache (severe), dizziness 
  • Weakness or numbness 
  • Eye problems (vision loss or blurring) 
  • Speech problems 
  • Severe leg pain (calf or thigh) 
  • Breast lumps 
  • Severe depression.
What if I miss a Pill? 
  • If you miss any pills, contact a health care provider for further instructions.
What if I miss my period?  
  • Sometimes you can miss a period even if you have taken all your pills the right way. This can be a normal side effect of the Pill or you might be pregnant. Keep taking your pills and have a pregnancy test to find out whether or not you are pregnant. 
  • If you miss periods often, talk to your health care provider. 
  • If you have missed any pills and miss a period, have a pregnancy test done right away.
Is the Pill safe for all women to use? 
  • No. Ask your health care provider if it is right for you. Tell him/her about any medical problems. 
  • Smoking while taking the Pill, increases the chances of serious side effects.
If this method fails, and if you don’t want to get pregnant, see a health care provider for emergency contraception as soon as you can.


For more information please call the Sexual Health Program:
Ph: 578-2513
E-mail: sexualhealthprogram@brandonrha.mb.ca