Disclaimer: I did not write this. This information was written by a fellow moderator on another forum that I moderate and thought would be useful for the Girls' Club section since there seems to be a lot of questions about the Pill. I modified it slightly, but please let me know if there are things that should be corrected as I am not completely familiar with the Malaysian system.

The Contraceptive Pill

Where can I get the pill?
The contraceptive pill should be given on prescription - it's definitely NOT a good idea to walk into a pharmacy and ask for a certain brand your friend recommended because every woman is unique. What works for one woman will not necessarily work for another. There are two main places that you can and should go to get the contraceptive pill: your gynecologist (GP) or a family planning clinic.

What will happen when I see a doctor about going on the pill?
When you go to your GP/a clinic about going on the pill there are a number of things that you can expect to happen. The doctor will probably have a talk to you about your past sexual experiences and any health problems that you might have, this is so that they can determine whether or not you might be at risk of a sexually transmitted infection and to determine if it is safe for you to go on the pill.  Before you get your pill the doctor/clinic nurse will also take your blood pressure and weigh you, this is again just to make sure that it is safe for you to go on the pill.

How many types of pill are there?
While there are many brands of the oral contraceptive pill there are two main types. The most important thing when it comes to the pill is making sure that you are on the one that is best suited to you. It can take a few tries before you find the right one, so if after a month or so of taking it you are still experiencing uncomfortable side effects don’t be scared to go back to your doctor and talk to them about changing. The two main types of pill are the combined oral contraceptive pill and the progesterone only pill.

Combined oral contraceptive pill: Fact File
How does it work?
The combined pill contains two hormones oestrogen and progesterone. These hormones work to stop you ovulating (releasing an egg), making the lining of the womb thinner to prevent a fertilised egg from implanting and thickening the mucus at your cervix to stop sperm getting into your womb.

How effective is the combined pill?
The combined pill is 99% effective if taken perfectly. This means that if 100 women are using the pill perfectly for a year then one of them will become pregnant.

How do I take the combined pill?
There three main types of combined pill that you could be prescribed.
Monophasic 21 day pills: With this pill you will get 21 pills to take. Each of them will contain the same amount of hormone and it doesn’t matter which order you take the pack in. You take the pill for 21 days and then take no pills for the next seven days.

Phasic 21 day pills: This type of pill will again come in packs of 21, however the different pills will contain different amounts of hormones. It is important that you take these pills in order, they will be in two or three different coloured sections. You again take these pills for 21 days and then take a seven day break.

ED (EveryDay pills): ED pills come in packs of 28. In each pack 21 pills will contain hormones and seven will be inactive (contain no hormones). With the ED pill you don’t take a break between packets but it is important that you take the pills in order.

When you go and talk to your doctor about taking the contraceptive pill you can ask them about which pill they think would work for you.

Progesterone only pill: Fact File
How does it work?
The progesterone only pill works in a similar way to the combined pill however it only contains the hormone progesterone. The main ways that the progesterone only pill prevents pregnancy is to thinken the mucus at your cervix to prevent sperm entry and prevent the lining of the womb from becoming thick which reduces the chances of implantation however it is not uncommon for the minipill to also prevent ovulation.

How effective is the progesterone only pill?
Generally the minipill is considered slightly less reliable than the combined pill. However it is still said to have a reliability of about 99%. This means that if 100 women and taking the minipill for a year one of them will become pregnant.

How do I take the progesterone only pill?
Each pill in the pack will contain the same amount of progesterone so you just need to take the pack. You can then start a new pack straight away without taking a break.

How do I start my pack of pills?
You can start the pill at any time in your cycle as long as you are sure that you aren’t pregnant. However there are only certain times where you will get instant protection from pregnancy.

If you take your first pill up to and including the fifth day of your period then you will have immediate protection. If you start the pill at any point during your cycle then you have to use another from of contraception for the first seven days after starting the pill. It is important to not that if you have an unusual or irregular menstrual cycle then you should discuss this with the doctor or nurse before stating the pill.

Is it important that I take my pill at the same time every day?
This depends on the type of pill that you are taking, however it can be useful to take your pill at the same time each day (e.g. as you brush your teeth) because it can help you to remember to take it. Some pills are sensitive enough that if you don't take it within 15 minutes of your usual time, your hormone levels will fluctuate and can result in breakthrough bleeding.

The combined pill: With the combined pill it is important that you take the pill within in the same twelve hour window each day. However it is recommended that you don’t take the pill this irregularly and that you have a three to four hour window each day in which you take the pill.

The progesterone only pill: With the progesterone only pill it is more important that you take your pill at the same time each day. There is a three hour window in which you should take your pill. The exception to this is Cerazette which is a progesterone only pill but has a twelve hour window in which to take it like the combined pill.

What do I do if I miss my pill?
If you are on the combined pill:
This depends how many pills you have missed. If you have  only missed one or two pills then you need to take the last pill that you missed as soon as you remember and then finish the pack as normal. You shouldn’t need to use any additional contraception. If you have missed  more than two pills then you need to  finish the pack as normal but use additional contraception for the next seven days. If when you miss the pill less than seven pills are left in your pack it is advisable that you do not take the usual seven day break and start the next pack when the current one finishes.

If you are on the progesterone only pill:
Your pill is consider late if you take more than three hours late unless you are taking Cerazette in which case if it is more than twelve hours late. If this happens you will not be protected against pregnancy. Take the next pill in your pack as soon as your remember (even if this means taking two pills in one day). Use and additional method of contraception for the next two days.

Read the instructions pamphlet that comes with your pack and make sure to ask your doctor every single question you have.

Is it safe to run two pill packs together (take them without a break)?
It is not harmful to run two or potentially three pill packets together. To do this just start a second pill packet the day after your pill pack finishes and you will be protected against pregnancy. You may experience some spotting (light bleeding) but this isn’t something that you should be concerned about in this situation.

I didn’t bleed during my break week, am I pregnant?
If you have taken your pill correctly then you are unlikely to be pregnant.  However if you have any reason to suspect that you might be pregnant it is important that you take a pregnancy test of consult your doctor. If you have two breaks where you do not have a bleed then take a pregnancy test just to be sure.

I am bleeding when I am not meant to be, is something wrong?
When you first start taking the pill it is not uncommon for you to have some bleeding. This is called "breakthrough bleeding". So if this bleeding is happening in the first three months of taking a new pill there is unlikely to be any cause for concern. Bleeding can be caused by missed pills as well as sexually transmitted infections (STI) so if you think you may have been at risk of contracting an STI contact your GP or local family planning clinic.

I am unwell, am I still protected against pregnancy?
Being unwell will only affect your protection if you have diarrhoea or if you have vomited. If you vomit within two hours of taking your pill then it is important that you take a second pill as soon as you feel able to. As long as you do this you should be protected.
If you have diarrhoea for more than 24 hours then you pill may be less effective so continue taking your pill and behave in the same way you would if you had missed a pill using extra protection if necessary.

It is important that if you unwell for any prolonged period of time that you visit your GP.

I am on other medication, is this going to stop my pill being effective?
Most medication is perfectly safe to take with your pill. However certain types could make your pill less effective.  Antibiotics can impact on your pills effectiveness, it is important that you use additional methods of contraception while you are taking your antibiotics and for seven days after you finish. If your pill packet ends during your course of antibiotics or will do in the seven days following continue straight on to your next packet without taking a break. Seek advice from a healthcare professional if you are in the first week of your pill packet and you have had sex recently as you may need emergency contraception or if you are on antibiotics fo more than two weeks. Other types of medication that can effect your pill are HIV,TB or epilepsy treatment or St Johns Wort (a herbal treatment for depression).

It is important that if you are prescribed any medication you inform the doctor of all the medication including the pill that you are on. If you have any concerns talk to the prescribing doctor or your pharmacist. 

An important note:
It is important to note that the contraceptive pill does not protect you against sexually transmitted infections. If you have had unprotected sex with someone when you don’t know if they are clear from STIs  the it is important that you contact your GP or local GUM clinic for an STI test.

Just wanna ask ...why girls take BCP? is it because their bf can shoot inside?LOL...

im taking hormone pill to regulate my menstrual cycle
doc said take about 6 months to 1 year time to regulate my menstrual cycle
n it will cz us gain weight
i take 4 3 months n stop it
n sum of my frenz said if take d pill cnt pregnant nxt time
i duno true anot..

Want to ask, is weird that a guy walking to farmasi to get the birth control pill? Wanna buy it to my gf to avoid accident...>< so what and which brand did sis recommendation?

got a question. Hope someone can reply ASAP

i am taking yaz 28 days BCP

if i have unprotected sex on the first week of the pill , do i still need to take morning after pill?

Hi, actually not answering your question but want to ask you, do you have any discomfort/side effects when taking yaz?

hmmm NO.
maybe in the beginning, better appetite, so eat more
BTW, BCP is easily available in malaysia. Can just go to pharmarcy and buy directly.

But BCP not cheap tho. Well Yaz is Rm50 per pack

What about other brand ? does anyone has the pricing

Hi, got one question. If i want to have unprotective sex in May, should I start using BCP now or in April after my period (about 1month gap before sex)?

got a question. Hope someone can reply ASAP

i am taking yaz 28 days BCP

if i have unprotected sex on the first week of the pill , do i still need to take morning after pill?

The reaaon why so many ppl are ignorant about this topic is because lack of sex education. Even in pre marital course they don't explain much of family planning. One have to google and ask forums to get answers on BCP.

Hi there or anyone,

Aha! I started using Yasmin and now is my free tablet interval. The interval started last Sunday and my period just came today (Wed). My period has been delayed about 6 days (normal cycle 30 days and it is regular) and will it affect the next period due?

If it resumes to 30days cycle, then I'll be on my period on 27 May. I don't want this to be my period day because I want to  with my hubby (our hnymoon)~~.  What do you all suggest? To delay the period by taking continuously the pills or any other way? I know how to delay with pills, but just want some insight.

Since I'm taking Yasmin, I got acne on my forehead and it does not help with the skin condition. Yesterday, I got terrible headache and today the period came. I guess that was the side effect because before this I never had any headache.

if you started taking the pill when you were supposed to (on the first Sunday after or on your period), then just continue to take the pill normally, daily and at the same time. If you're really concerned that your period will arrive during your honeymoon, then just stack the pill (meaning, don't take the tablet-free week). Take the pill continuously.

I'm sorry you're having acne issues, every woman reacts differently to the pill. It may help you to do some facial cleansing and moisturizing The headaches sound like a side effect, yes.

No it isn't strange, but you cannot buy BCP over the counter. Only the morning after/emergency/Plan B pill is available over the counter. BCP is available by prescription only, so your girlfriend has to go see a gynecologist and get a prescription for it. I cannot recommend any brand because each woman is unique and therefore will react differently to different medications.

Good luck.

Well thanks for the advice!

Means that I just need to focus my cleansing regime more on my face now. Anyway i'll keep on posting here if I got more side effects.

I've been using Meliane (low dosage mini pills) on stacks (non-stop) for about 6 months now. It's just because I get terrible cramps during period and I'm sick of it. It's so much easier just taking pills everyday. But recently I start to spot, which didn't happen in the first five months... Could it be stress or what? Anyone has any experience with stacking pills for a longer period but also spotting?

You can get BCP over the counter in any pharmacy actually. My first one was prescribed, then I just buy over the counter after that. It's better to get a gyne to check if your gf is suitable for what pill before getting them yourself.

I use Meliane and its a low dose mini pill. I get mine from Watson/guardian. About rm22 per pack for 21 days.