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History of heart attack or stroke |
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Blood clots |
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Unexplained vaginal bleeding |
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Known or suspected cancer |
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Known or suspected pregnancy |
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Liver disease |
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Irregular bleeding or spotting |
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Nausea |
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Breast tenderness |
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Weight gain and/or water retention |
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Spotty darkening of the skin |
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Mood changes |
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Abdominal pains (severe) |
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Chest pain or shortness of breath |
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Headaches (severe) |
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Eye problems, such as blurred vision |
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Severe leg or arm pain or numbness |
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1 day late starting the next package: Take 2 pills as soon as you remember and one pill each day after. Use a backup form of birth control for two weeks. |
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2 days late starting the next package: Take 2 pills per day for 2 days, then continue as usual. Use a backup form of birth control for two weeks. |
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3 or more days late starting the next package: Call the clinic for instructions. |
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1 pill missed: Take it as soon as you remember and take your next pill at your usual time. This may mean taking two pills in one day. |
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2 pills missed in a row in the first two weeks: Take two pills on the day you remember and two pills the next day. Finish the rest of the pack as usual. Use a backup form of birth control for one week. |
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2 pills missed in a row in the third week: Keep taking one pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, set aside the rest of the pack, including the spacers, and start taking a new pack of pills. Use a backup form of birth control for one week. |
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3 or more pills missed in a row anytime: Keep taking one pill every day until Sunday. On Sunday, set aside the rest of the pack and start taking a new pack of pills. Use a backup form of birth control for two weeks. |
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in the first few months of Pill use |
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if you missed taking any Pills |
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if you are taking another medication (especially antibiotics) |
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if you have been sick (vomiting and/or diarrhea) |
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Periods may be lighter or more regular. |
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Easy to use. |
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Does not harm future fertility. |
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Does not interrupt sex play. |
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May protect against uterine and ovarian cancers. |
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May reduce acne. |
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Can be used for Emergency Contraception. |
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Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS. |
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Must be taken every day. |
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Less effective when taken with some drugs. |
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Raised risk of heart attack and stroke. |
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Requires a prescription. |