My Doctor Online The Permanente Medical Group
Are you having back pain with any of the following?
- Severe pain, weakness or tingling in your leg(s).
- Difficulty stopping urination or loss of control of bladder or bowels.
- Unexplained fever, nausea or vomiting.
- A history of cancer or unexplained weight loss.
We understand that you are experiencing one or more of the health issues that might be impacting your back pain.
We recommend that you discuss these health issues with your doctor before proceeding with this program.
Once you are cleared by your doctor to do this program, we hope it helps you find relief from your back pain.
The Birth Control Mini-Pill
Most birth control pills contain two hormones, estrogen and progesterone. There is a pill available that only contains progestin called the "mini-pill." It is an option if you are not able to take estrogen, or if you prefer not to take it. If any of the following apply to you, you might want to consider the progestin-only pill instead of combination pills:
- You are breastfeeding.
- You have high blood pressure.
- You have diabetes.
- You are over 35 and smoke.
- You have another condition that does not allow you to take estrogen.
The mini-pill prevents pregnancy by thickening the mucous made by your cervix (the narrow, lowest part of the uterus), making it harder for the sperm to reach the egg. It can also affect the way the egg moves down the fallopian tube to the uterus after being produced by the ovary.
You'll get your period during the fourth week, even though you'll continue to take the "mini-pill" during that week.
Risk of pregnancy
This is an effective method of birth control. The risk of pregnancy when you use the mini-pill is about 8 percent.
Advantages
- It is an effective method of birth control.
- It may be used by some women who can't use the combination birth control pills.
- The mini-pill may cause fewer side effects such as nausea and breast tenderness than the combination birth control pills.
- You can use the mini-pill while you are breastfeeding.
Disadvantages
- Must be taken at the same time every day. If you miss one day of pills you will need to use a back up form of birth control until your next period.
- Does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
- You may have changes to your period including spotting between periods, or no period while on the mini-pill.
Starting the pills
- Take the first pill on the first day of your period.
- Take one pill daily, at the same time of day, even during your period.
After the first pack
- As soon as you finish one pack of pills, begin the next one.
- Start your next pack even if you are still bleeding or have not started your period.
- Take one pill daily, at the same time of day, even during your period.
With progestin-only pills, you may:
- Get your period the fourth week.
- Have no periods.
- Have bleeding on and off throughout the month.
If you have an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. An emergency medical condition is any of the following: (1) a medical condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in serious jeopardy to your health or body functions or organs; (2) active labor when there isn't enough time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery, or if transfer poses a threat to your (or your unborn child's) health and safety, or (3) a mental disorder that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity such that either you are an immediate danger to yourself or others, or you are not immediately able to provide for, or use, food, shelter, or clothing, due to the mental disorder.
This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of specific medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult with your doctor. If you have questions or need more information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only.