News You Can Use: How to Increase Your Birth Control Pill IQ

A recent study from the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy found young women aged 16 to 24 across the nation have just moderate knowledge about the side effects of birth control pills and how the pills prevent pregnancy.

Living in rural areas contributes to the issue.

"Rural areas are really concerning because that means women living there probably have less interaction with any health care provider," said Ivy Leong, an Ole Miss pharmacy administration doctoral student. "Especially in Mississippi, where we see more pharmacies closing, and there are less OBGYNs."

Another issue is that women in this age group want privacy when seeking guidance about birth control pills.

"It's not that young women don't want to reach out for information, but if they live in a small community, their parents or friends may know the pharmacist, and if they go to the pharmacist, it means that they're exposed," Leong said.

Websites such as bedsider.org can possibly answer questions that young women may have. However, Leong warns caution when using chatbots and artificial intelligence platforms.

"We really want people to be very careful about information provided by chatbots or AI," Leong said. "We have this list of information that we know we can trust, but AI and chatbots are not giving information just from trusted websites, and with the convenience of using ChatGPT or other platforms, it's easy to fall into this kind of trap.

"The interaction between a woman and the chatbot is not the same as having interaction with a health care provider because a health care provider can evaluate a woman's situation and, together, they can pick the one that suits you the best."

Leong offers the following suggestions for acquiring over-the-counter birth control pills and related knowledge:

• How to use over-the-counter birth control pills:
  • Take daily around the same time of day
  • A woman can start taking at any time during her menstrual cycle
  • If a dose is missed – more than three hours late – the pill should be taken as soon as possible and continued each day at the regular time. Avoid sexual activity or use a backup contraceptive method for 48 hours.
• Birth control pills alone do not prevent sexually transmitted diseases. A male condom should also be used.
• General adverse effects, or side effects, of birth control pills may include: vaginal spotting (light bleeding), amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), acne, appetite change and breast tenderness
• Rare adverse effects of birth control pills may include high blood pressure, venous thromboembolism (blood clots) and weight gain.

"As self-medication selection and management become important in the over-the-counter setting, knowledge about birth control pills can ensure appropriate and safe use" Leong said.

Top: Young women often do not have all the facts about birth control options, but several reliable sources are available to help. An Ole Miss doctoral student in pharmacy administration offers tips on how to get the info you need. Photo illustration by Stefanie Goodwiller/University Marketing and Communications