Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCP)

for OSCE preparation^^

1. common type of OCP
    a) 21 pills (combined pills- oestrogen & progesterone) [available at]: http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Combined-Oral-Contraceptive-Pill.htm

    b) 28 pills (progesterone only)

2. indication: inhibit ovulation, change the vulva mucus/ovum, change the endometrium (implantation site can't  hold the embryo)

3. Contraindication: pregnant, DM

4. how/ when to take the pills?
    - take it at the first day of menstrual cycle (R: we are not pregnant that time). take continuesly until finish the pills.
- for 21 pills: take the pills everyday until pills is finished. then break for 7 days (1 week). during this week, menses are expected to occur. but if throughout the 7 days no periods, go to see doctor (in case u are pregnant).
if u have periods around the 7 days, than at the 8th days , continue to take OCP.

for 28 pills: its same as the 21 pills. but for 28 pills there is extra 7 pills. it means, we have to take the pills every day (rather than 21 pills, we can break for 7 days- during menses). but actually the another 7 pills that we eat after 21 days we take the pills has no any effect..

5. side effect: deep vein thrombosis, pigmentation at face

QUESTION..
> how if i forget to take the pills.
   a). a day - then the next day take 2 pills (1st pills @ am & 2nd pills @ pm)
   b). 2 days- the next day, take two pills n the next- next day take 2 pills also.
   c). 3 pills & > :go and see the doctor^^