Girlfriend Australia - April 2016__

Hav

you thou

about an IU

Both Dr Mary and Madr

recommend long-acting contrace

like IUDs (intra-uterine devices) a

implants, particularly for young women, who

aremorelikelytomisspillsduetostressand

forgetfulness. At 99.95 per cent effective,

they’reasgoodatpreventingpregnancy as

a vasectomy. So... pretty effective.

“They’re very safe, effective, reliable

and inexpensive,” says Dr Mary. “It’s

worth asking your doctor

about these options.”

S THE PILL?

the mini-pill are

regnancy. But, as

y , ations director at

MarieStopesAustraliaexplains,with“typical”use,thisdrops

to about 90 per cent because girls can be forgetful! In other

words, for every 100 women who take the pill each year, nine

will get pregnant. Avoid being one of them by taking your pill

every day. If you’re on the mini-pill, it has to be at the same

time each day. The pill’s effectiveness can also be

affected by recent vomiting, diarrhoea, some

antibiotics and travelling (as time zones can

affect the time you take your pill).

UM...IFORGOTTOTAKE

THE PILL. WHAT NOW?

It depends on which pill you’re up to in the packet, says

Dr Mary. “Women often think the middle of the packet is

the most dangerous time to miss a pill, because you ovulate

(so are fertile) in the middle of your cycle. But that’s not true.”

You’re more likely to accidentally fall pregnant by missing a pill

if you’ve missed it within seven days (either side) of the inactive

(sugar) pills.

If you have missed a pill within seven days before the inactive

pills, take the missing pill as soon as you remember (and the one

for that day) and skip the next round of inactive pills, going

straight to the active pills. As an extra precaution, use condoms

for the next seven days.

If you’ve missed a pill within seven days after taking the

sugar pills and have had unprotected sex, you may need

emergency contraception. Visit your GP or call Family

Planning in your state for free, confidential medical advice.

Again, use condoms for the next seven days.

WHAT ABOUT

CONDOMS?

You still need them, since neither pill

protects you from STIs. “Condoms are the

only contraception that does this,” Madryn says.

HOWLONGDOIHAVETOTAKE

IT BEFORE IT WORKS?

“Ifyoustarttakingthepill–combinedormini–duringthe

firstfivedaysofyourperiod,itworksimmediately,”says

Madryn. “Otherwise, the combined pill will take seven days

to become effective. The mini-pill, however, only take

hours to start working.”

WHAT’S THE DEAL

WITH THE SUGAR PILLS?

The inactive – or sugar pills – are there simply to remind you to

start a new packet after they’re finished, says Dr Mary Stewart,

senior medical officer at Family Planning New South Wales. In

most pill brands, there are 21 active pills and seven inactive

(makingupa28-daycycle).Becauseyou

only need to take the active pills, it’s fine

to skip the sugar pills and move onto the

next active pills. This is ideal if you want to

avoid the withdrawal bleed (which some

people call a ‘period’) that comes with

taking the sugar pills. Is it safe, long-term?

Yes, says Dr Mary. “Studies have shown that you can skip the

inactive pills for up to a year with no adverse side effects.”

WHEN SHOULD I USE

THE MORNING-

AFTER PILL?

It’s useful when you’ve

had unprotected sex

and want to prevent

pregnancy.

Contrary to the

name,itcanbe

used up to five

days post-

intercourse, but

the earlier you use

it, the better.

Basically, if you’re due

to ovulate, this pill will

prevent it from

happening, so you won’t fall

pregnant. You should also use

the morning-after pill if you’ve

missed any of the seven active pills in your pack (these are the

pills after the sugar pills). The morning-after pill is available

over-the-counter from your pharmacist.

THERE ARESOMANYDIFFERENT

BRANDS. WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR ME?

The truth is, there’s no one answer. The best way

to figure out which pill is right for you, says Dr Mary,

is to talk to your doctor – but even then, it may be a case of

trial and error. “There are 16 different kinds of pills on the

market in Australia, so you’re very likely to find one that works

HOWEFFECTIVE IS

Technic a lly,very–boththecombinedand

99 per cent effective at preventingpr

MadrynSanderson,communica

m

t

e ion

s

WHAT OTHER BENEFITS ARE THERE?

As Marie Stopes International (drmarie.org.au) explains, the pill

can usually help improve heavy or painful periods, and can also

regulate the menstrual cycle for women with irregular periods.

The Pill can also help clear up acne.

IS FEMME-TAB ED

20/100 EFFECTIVE,

SINCE IT HAS A LOW

DOSAGE OF

HORMONES?

“If taken correctly, with no

missed pills, all brands of

the pill are equally good at

stopping pregnancy,

they just use different

combinations and amounts

of hormones to do this. The

low dose pills may cause

less side-effects, but some

people get bleeding in

between their periods on the

low dose pills. If you’re using

condoms as well, this will add

greater protection,” Madryn says.

for you,” she says. Different brands have differen

hormone dosages, which can lead to side-effects like

breast tenderness, headaches, acne, mood changes and

breakthrough bleeding. Try a pill for three months and if

you have complaints, see your GP about options.

girlfriend.com.au 79 girlfriendMAG

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WORDS

LAUREN SAMS

PHOTOGRAPHY

GETTY IMAGES

ILLUSTRATIONS

SYBELLA THOMPSON