Birth control pills are quite popular and everyone seems to know all about them. However, the real question is, how much do we really know about birth control methods, especially the pills, apart from the fact that they are used to prevent pregnancy?

Is there a fear of getting pregnant despite being on the pill? How effective are these birth control pills? What is the correct way to use them? Is there a wrong way to use them, and what can happen if they are used in the wrong way?

Here are a few tips to help understand what one has to avoid when they are on a birth control pill:

Starting the pill late
One of the most common mistakes that women tend to make is that they start using birth control pills only after their next cycle is a day or two late. If one is starting their cycle late by a day, they need to take two pills quickly and then switch to one pill per day from then on. However, if the delay is by two days, they should take two pills for the next two days and then go back to one pill per day. On the other hand, if one is late by three days, they have missed the right time to start the pill and need to use alternate birth control methods with the help of their doctor.

Skipping one of the doses
As much as starting late, even skipping the dose accidentally or intentionally can cause the pills to not bear any effects. Another reason that these birth control pills fail is due to improper use. In case one misses a dose, they need to quickly take it in addition to the next regular dose or before and then switch back to their routine. The same goes for missing the dose for two days in a row. In case the doses are missed on a regular basis, using alternative forms of birth control in addition to the pill is usually recommended.

Keeping track of all the medications taken
There are specific medicines that can deter the effects of birth control pills. Even certain common antibiotics tend to affect the efficiency of these hormonal pills, which makes it important to talk to the doctor and disclose all facts when one is using contraceptive pills.

Storing the pills properly
One cannot simply throw their birth control pills in the car dash or leave them in the purse or bathroom. There are specific temperatures under which these pills have to be stored, failing which the pills can easily start to degrade.

Another factor that needs to be remembered when one is on these birth control pills is to avoid smoking as it can prove to be really dangerous. There are many possibilities of one making a mistake when they are on the pill, and using another form of birth control in addition to the pills can prove to be effective at such times.