How to take the pill

21-day pill strip

• Take one pill at the same time every day for 21 days
• After finishing the strip, take a 4 to 7-day break—you’ll have a withdrawal bleed, which is not a real period
• After the break, start a new strip (even if you’re still bleeding)

Tip: Starting after 4 days instead of 7 makes the pill more effective.

28-day pill strip

• Take one pill daily at the same time for 28 days
• No breaks—start a new pack immediately after finishing the previous one

Tips for use

Take it at the same time every day: Set a reminder on your phone if needed! (Except during the pill-free week if you’re using a 21-day pill).

Pick the right pill for you: There are different types, like combination pills (estrogen + progesterone) and the mini-pill (progesterone only). Talk to your doctor to find the best one.

Read the instructions: Each pill brand may have slightly different instructions, so check the leaflet that comes with it.

Sick after taking it? If you vomit or have diarrhea within 3 hours of taking your pill, take another one as soon as possible!

Where can you get the pill?

The pill is available from the pharmacies and Fundashon Famia Plania. Discuss the pill with your doctor prior to commencing it. 

How much does it cost?

If you are under 18 years old, the cost of the pill can be covered by your Sociale Verzekeringsbank (SVB). 

In certain circumstances for those 18 years and older it is also covered.  This is usually if there is a medical indication to take the pill, and it is prescribed as such, by your doctor. Otherwise, you must pay for the pill yourself. Prices can range from 6 to 15 guilders per month. It depends on the type of pill and place of purchase. The pill is available at Fundashon Famia Plania and all pharmacies. 

Menstruation

• You don’t want to bleed every 4 weeks? 
  Then you could skip the pill-free week. That means you just continue to take the pills.
• Do you want your period to be shorter?
  Just shorten the pill-free week and start taking pills again sooner. You’ll then bleed less. The pill is still reliable, and it won’t affect your health. 
• Are you not sure what to do? Go to your doctor or Fundashon Famia Plania. 

Not a real period

In the pill-free week you’ll bleed a bit. It seems like a period and it feels like that too, but you’re not really menstruating. How does that work? 

Every month there is a new egg in your uterus. This happens during ovulation. During a proper period, that egg is discarded. If you take the pill properly, you don’t ovulate. So, there’s no egg to be discarded. That’s why you’re not really having a period, just a small bleed.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages:

• If you use the pill correctly, it’s very reliable
• You’ll know when there will be bleeding
• You can plan your bleed whenever you want
• You’ll often have less pain during a bleed
• Sometimes you’ll have less acne

Disadvantages:

• You might forget to take the pill
• Sometimes you may have side effects
• The pill doesn’t protect against STIs

Are there any side effects?

When you start taking the pill, you might have some side effects. That’s because your body has to get used to the hormones the pill contains. Possible side effects are:

• headaches
• irregular blood loss
• painful breasts
• nausea
• low moods
• weight gain
• reduced sex drive

Usually, the side effects disappear after a couple of months. If you’re having trouble with side effects, get in touch with your doctor.

When do you run the risk of pregnancy?

• You’ve forgotten to take the pill
• You started your new strip too late (so your pill-free week is longer than 7 days)
• You’ve had diarrhea or vomited