Low-dose birth control pills & emergency contraception | For contraception, PMS, and menstrual pain

Low-dose birth control pills and morning-after pills are prescribed through online medical consultations.

Consultations are available daily from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM. We deliver to your home and offer subscription services.

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Differences between low-dose birth control pills and morning-after pills (overview)

What are low-dose birth control pills?

Low-dose birth control pills are medications containing a combination of estrogen (follicle hormone) and progestin (luteal hormone). They provide contraceptive effects through three mechanisms:

• Suppressing ovulation (artificially controlling hormone fluctuations to prevent ovulation itself)
• Altering cervical mucus to make it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus
• Maintaining a thin uterine lining to create an environment unfavorable for implantation

When taken correctly and continuously, their contraceptive effectiveness is very high. However, if doses are missed, the effectiveness decreases, so it's important to take them at the same time every day.

Types of low-dose birth control pills (generations and combination patterns)

Low-dose birth control pills are classified into "generations" based on the type of progestin they contain. They are also categorized as "monophasic" or "triphasic" depending on whether the hormone levels remain constant throughout the cycle.

• Monophasic: Hormone levels within one pack are always constant. Easy to continue without dosage mistakes.
• Triphasic: Hormone levels change in three stages within one pack, closely mimicking a natural cycle.

The most suitable type depends on your purpose, physical constitution, smoking history, etc. At our clinic, we prioritize the balance of track record and safety, mainly offering 1st to 3rd generation pills. Since improvement in PMS and menstrual pain is achieved by suppressing ovulation and smoothing hormone fluctuations, even 1st to 3rd generation pills can be expected to alleviate symptoms. For those concerned about acne or skin roughness, 3rd generation pills are often chosen.

How to take low-dose birth control pills

Types of packs

When to start taking them

• If starting on the first day of your period: Contraceptive effectiveness can be expected from that cycle.
• If starting on any other day: Use condoms for the first 7 days after starting.
• Taking the pill at approximately the same time every day helps prevent missed doses and irregular bleeding.

What to do if you miss a dose

This is the most common concern with low-dose birth control pills. If you realize you've missed a dose, follow these guidelines:

The appropriate action can also vary depending on the type of formulation and which part of the pill pack the dose was missed. If you are unsure or if you had sexual intercourse before or after missing a dose, please consult us. Emergency contraception may sometimes be necessary.

Daily contraception and PMS management, all in one.

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Effect on PMS and menstrual pain

PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) is characterized by physical and mental discomfort occurring after ovulation until the start of menstruation (luteal phase), which subsides once menstruation begins. Many women who menstruate are said to experience some form of symptoms.

When psychological symptoms are particularly strong and interfere with daily life or relationships, it's called PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder).

Self-check

• Symptoms only appear before your period and improve once your period starts.
• They recur in almost the same pattern every month.
• They are affecting your work, studies, or relationships with family and partners.

If two or more apply to you, treatment may be worth considering.

Why low-dose birth control pills are effective

The main cause of PMS is thought to be rapid fluctuations in female hormones associated with ovulation. Low-dose birth control pills (LEP/OC) suppress ovulation and smooth out hormone fluctuations, thus addressing the root cause of the symptoms.

What you can expect from birth control pills:

• Alleviation of physical and psychological symptoms of PMS
• Reduction of menstrual pain and menstrual blood flow
• Regularization of menstrual cycles, making it easier to plan
• Improvement in acne and skin roughness may also be observed

It often takes 2-3 cycles to feel the effects, so it's recommended to continue monitoring your progress rather than judging after just one cycle. Other options, such as combining with herbal medicines, are also available depending on your symptoms. If acne is your primary concern, please also refer to our acne treatment page.

What are morning-after pills?

Morning-after pills (emergency contraception) are emergency medications taken to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex, condom breakage or slippage, or other "what if" situations. They are not a substitute for regular contraception (such as low-dose birth control pills or condoms), but rather a measure for emergencies.

Types of morning-after pills and timing of administration

For both types, the sooner they are taken after intercourse, the higher the expected effectiveness. Do not postpone seeking help with "I still have time." If you have any concerns, please consult us immediately.

Morning-after pills are not abortion pills

Morning-after pills are medications that prevent pregnancy by suppressing or delaying ovulation. They are ineffective if pregnancy has already occurred and are completely different from induced abortion.

What to do after taking the pill

• If you vomit within 2 hours of taking the pill, the medication may not have been fully absorbed. Please contact us immediately.
• Check for pregnancy approximately 3 weeks after taking the pill. The same applies if your period is more than 1 week late.
• Continue to use contraception, such as condoms, until your next period. Morning-after pills are not effective for subsequent sexual intercourse.
• After taking the pill, your next period may come earlier or later. This is usually temporary.

If you start low-dose birth control pills after taking a morning-after pill

Switching to low-dose birth control pills is more reliable than repeatedly relying on emergency contraception. However, pay attention to the timing of initiation.

• If you took Ella (Ulipristal): Do not start low-dose birth control pills for the next 5 days. Taking them simultaneously may reduce Ella's effectiveness.
• If you took Levonorgestrel: You can start the next day.
• In both cases, use condoms for 7 days after starting low-dose birth control pills.

Effectiveness decreases over time.

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About side effects

Low-dose birth control pills

• Nausea, irregular bleeding (more common at the start of use, usually subsides within a few months)
• Swelling, weight changes
• Headaches
• Rarely, thrombosis (see below)

It should be noted that there is little clear evidence that low-dose birth control pills cause weight gain. Some people experience temporary swelling when they first start taking them, but this usually resolves within a few months.

Morning-after pills

• Nausea, vomiting (if vomiting occurs within 2 hours of taking the pill, the effect may not be fully achieved; please consult us)
• Irregular bleeding
• Menstrual cycle may be temporarily disrupted

Symptoms requiring immediate medical attention (signs of thrombosis)

If you experience any of the following symptoms while taking low-dose birth control pills, stop taking them and seek immediate medical attention.

• Calf pain, swelling, warmth (especially in one leg)
• Sudden shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest pain
• Severe headache unlike any you've experienced before
• Blurred vision, partial loss of vision
• Numbness or tingling in limbs, difficulty speaking

When in the same position for extended periods, such as during long flights or desk work, drink plenty of water and move your legs frequently.

Who cannot take or needs to be careful when taking birth control pills

To ensure safe use, please inform us during your consultation if any of the following apply to you:

• You are over 35 and smoke 15 or more cigarettes a day (low-dose birth control pills cannot be prescribed).
• You have a history of thrombosis or a family member has a history of thrombosis.
• You have migraines with aura (e.g., scintillating scotoma).
• You are undergoing treatment for or have a history of breast cancer or endometrial cancer.
• You have high blood pressure, obesity, or a planned surgery.
• You are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Medications that may reduce effectiveness

• Rifampicin (tuberculosis medication), some antiepileptic drugs, some anti-HIV drugs.
• Supplements containing St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum).
• GLP-1 receptor agonists: These can slow down stomach movement, potentially affecting the absorption of oral medications. Concurrent use of another contraception method may be recommended when starting or increasing the dose. Please inform us if you are using or considering using weight loss medications.

Regular check-ups are recommended

For those who continue to take birth control pills for a long time, we recommend regular cervical cancer screenings and blood pressure and weight checks. Please have a gynecological check-up once a year.

Pill Prescription at Mona Clinic (Online, Private Pay)

Our clinic's online consultations are private pay, so health insurance is not applicable. Individual results and side effects may vary.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Related Pages

• Low-Dose Birth Control Pills (Product Page)／Emergency Contraceptive Pills (Product Page)
• About Acne Treatment
• About STD Testing
• About Online Consultation／About Fees