our contraception pack contains two different types of pills. The first 21 pills are the hormone pills. The last seven pills don’t contain hormones; these are known as “sugar pills”. The pills are different coloured, making it easier for you to tell them apart (helpfully, the sugar pills are the last 7 in the pack).
Taking the pill is easy. Pop one pill from your pack each day and swallow it with a glass of water. The pill must be taken each day for it to be effective. It is best to take it at the same time each day, to help you form a habit of taking it every day.
Once you finish the 21 hormone pills, you can either start on your next pack or take the seven sugar pills.
If you start on your next pack, continue taking the hormone pills (the first 21). This is referred to as “running your packs”. You won’t get your period if you don’t take the sugar pills. It is very safe to do this. In fact, running your packs makes the pill more effective.
If you do take the sugar pills, you will get your period. One you have finished the seven sugar pills, start on your next pack with the hormone pills.
You can take the pill however it works best for you. If you decide to take the sugar pills that is fine. f you choose not to take the sugar pills that is also fine. Choosing whether to get your period or not is up to you. On the pill you don’t have to have your period every 21 days.
