Setting aside that whole “we’re lost on a desert island and monsters are after us” thing, it’s something I’ve never understood about the television show, Lost. There are several highly attractive men and women stranded together on a desert island, and none of the women have gotten pregnant. Either they’d have us believe everyone’s completely celibate or one of the island’s magical powers is to stop unplanned pregnancies. Unfortunately, magical powers are notoriously hard to find in everyday life. Instead we have to rely on science. So it’s a good thing that science has gotten pretty good at giving us tools to keep from getting pregnant until we’re ready. But if that’s the case, why are nearly half of pregnancies in the U.S. unplanned? Often for the same reason most plane crashes occur: pilot error. We’re just not using our birth control correctly. Shebrew has asked me to put together a FAQ for birth control. Hopefully when we’re done, we’ll have a few less pilot errors.

Q: Are condoms actually effective as birth control?
A: Absolutely. With correct, consistent use, condoms are about 97% effective; Teenwire.com has a great video that shows just what this means. Don’t forget how important condoms are for infection prevention.

Q: I’m on the pill, does it really matter that I take it at the same time each day?
A: Yes, it does! The primary way Hormonal Birth Control (HBC) works is by preventing you from ovulating (releasing an egg) each month. It does this by keeping a consistent level of hormones in your system. The more this varies, the more your protection is going to vary. For more specific timing advice, ask your doctor.

Q: I’m on HBC, and I’m bleeding when it’s not my period. Should I stop?
A: No! Especially if it’s your first few months on a new pill or method, so-called breakthrough bleeding or spotting is a normal side effect while your body adjusts.

Q: I missed a pill (or two, or three), what do I do?
A: Whatever you do, don’t ignore it! Everyone makes mistakes, but you can prevent little ones from becoming bigger. Your pharmacy should give you a pamphlet along with your HBC. It has important information about what to do in case of missed pills, etc. Don’t have your pamphlet? Google it! Most pill brands have their pamphlets online. Some have this information right on their website.

Q: Are generics really as effective as brand names?
A: Absolutely. By law, they have to be. Occasionally you may get different side effects from them, most often not.

Q: I read on this website/heard from a friend that [Pill Brand] is really good/bad. Is that true?
A: For the person you heard it from or who wrote that, sure. But that shouldn’t impact your opinion about a particular brand. There are so many pill brands (and the patch, and Nuvaring, etc.) because everyone reacts differently to HBC; it’s trial and error. If you have unpleasant side effects on one, try another.

Q: Speaking of which, I’m having some side effects. What should I do?
A: It depends. Some side effects will go away in a few months. If they’re not severe, try to give your body some time to adjust. Above all, you know your body best. If side effects are severe, or you’re concerned, you can usually call your doctor’s office and get advice anytime. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!

Speaking of questions, these are just a few! Hopefully you’ve found them helpful. If you have, drop me a comment and let me know you’re reading.