Family Planning

Giving Advice on Side EffectsIMPORTANT: Thorough counseling about bleeding changes and otherside effects is an important part of providing the method. Counseling aboutbleeding changes may be the most important help a woman needs to keepusing the method.Describe themost commonside effectsExplain aboutthese side effectsExplain whatto do in caseof side effectsóóóóóóóóóIn the first few months, bleeding at unexpectedtimes (irregular bleeding). Then lighter, shorter,and more regular monthly bleeding.Headaches, breast tenderness, weight change,and possibly other side effects.Side effects are not signs of illness.Most side effects usually become less or stopwithin the first few months of using COCs.Common, but some women do not have them.Keep taking COCs. Skipping pills risks pregnancyand can make some side effects worse.Take each pill at the same time every day tohelp reduce irregular bleeding and also helpwith remembering.Take pills with food or at bedtime to help avoidnausea.The client can come back for help if side effectsbother her.1Combined Oral ContraceptivesProviding Combined Oral Contraceptives13