5 Tips to Remind You to Take your Contraceptive Pill Everyday

I hope you have read the package leaflet at least once when you open your pack of Ortho Tri Cyclen or other brand of contraceptive pill. If you have, you will know how important it is to take the pill at the same time each day. There is a reason for this- it helps to keep a steady and measured dose of hormones supplied to your body throughout your cycle and it also helps tominimise any side effects you may experience, such as spotting and breakthrough bleeding. Do you find it difficult to get into the habit of taking your contraceptive pill at the same time every day? Maybe your job or lifestyle makes it almost impossible?

These tips may help you to stay on track:

1. Think about something in your daily routine which would help you to take the pill at the same time such as brushing your teeth or reaching for your night cream as you climb into bed. Popping a pill before you head down for brekky (taking oral contraceptives with food also helps alleviate any nausea) or swallowing one with a quick sip of water from the bedside table is not too much of an effort when it becomes part of another 'automatic' act you carry out daily. Taking a contraceptive pill at the same time each day also ensures that your body receives the right amount of hormones during that 24 hour period.

2. 'Out of sight out of mind' is an old saying that doesn't just apply to people! It is true when it comes to taking medication- if the pills are not right there infront of you why would you think about them? Putting your pack of contraceptive pills out of sight will not help you to establish a good 'pill taking' habit so make sure your contraceptive pill pack is next to your toothbrush or by that glass of water on the bedside table or in the drawer alongside your jar of night cream.

3. OK, so your job has ridiculous shifts or you travel a lot and routines keep changing- you must find a new routine to 'attach' your pill taking act to! Carry your contraceptive pill pack in your handbag and take it with lunch/ morning/afternoon coffee BUT do follow the same routine daily so that you are still supplying your body with its steady, measured dose of hormones throughout that 24 period. If you have a long drive home, get into the habit of taking a pill with a juice in the car so that you don't get caught up in the 'dinner' stuff when you get home and fall exhausted into bed and forget.

4. When you are travelling, keep your contraceptive pills within reach- preferably in your hand luggage, not in your suitcase in

case it gets lost. Don't leave them in the hotel bathroom either, keep them in your purse so you can enjoy the events of your trip without worrying about being hours late in taking your pill.

5. Get some help if you just can't seem to manage the pill taking routine yourself- explain the problem and your daily schedule to your doctor or health care provider and they may be able to suggest something that hadn't occurred to you.

Remember to keep a spare pack of contraceptive pills on hand so you don't run out and miss the first few days of your next pill cycle. Use your mobile phone, pc at work or a calendar to 'alarm' you one week in advance of your start date for a new pack.

Source: www.thepill.com