Contraception in Grand Rapids, MI: The Combined Pill (“The Pill”)

Choosing the right birth control is an important part of your reproductive health. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, the combined oral contraceptive pill—often just called “the pill”—is a common and effective option, available through local doctors, clinics, and pharmacies.

This guide explains how the combined pill works, how to use it correctly, possible side effects, and where to get help in the Grand Rapids area.

Types of Oral Contraception

There are two main types of birth control pills available in the United States:

  • Combined oral contraceptive pill (COC) – usually called “the pill”
  • Progestin-only pill (POP) – often called the “mini-pill”

The Combined Pill

The combined pill contains two hormones:

  • Estrogen
  • Progestin (the synthetic form of progesterone)

These are similar to the natural hormones made by your ovaries.

The Progestin-Only Pill

The progestin-only pill contains progestin only, with no estrogen. It is often used when estrogen is not recommended (for example, for some people who are breastfeeding or have certain medical conditions).

Both types:

  • Are taken once a day
  • Are available by prescription
  • Are widely prescribed by healthcare providers in Grand Rapids, including Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health clinics

How Effective Is the Pill?

When used perfectly (no missed pills and taken at the same time every day), the combined pill is:

  • At least 99% effective at preventing pregnancy

With typical use (allowing for missed or late pills):

  • The pill is about 93% effective

To get the best protection:

  • Take one pill every day, at around the same time each day

How the Combined Pill Works

The combined pill prevents pregnancy in several ways:

  • Stops ovulation – prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg each month
  • Thickens cervical mucus – makes the fluid around the cervix (opening to the uterus or womb) thicker so sperm cannot easily get through
  • Thins the lining of the uterus – makes it less likely that a fertilized egg will implant

Different Brands of the Pill

There are many different brands of combined pills available in Michigan. They may differ in:

  • Hormone doses
  • Types of estrogen and progestin
  • Side effect profiles
  • Cost and insurance coverage

Most combined pills come in 28-day packs that include:

  • Hormone pills (active pills)
  • Sugar/placebo pills (inactive pills with no hormones)

When you take the sugar pills, you usually have a withdrawal bleed (similar to a period).

Skipping Your Period

You can often skip your period by:

  • Skipping the sugar pills and
  • Starting the next pack of hormone pills right away

Always discuss this with your Grand Rapids healthcare provider (GP, OB/GYN, or family planning clinic) to make sure this method is safe and appropriate for you.

When Does the Pill Start Working?

When you start the combined pill for the first time, or after a break, it can take up to 7–12 days to fully protect against pregnancy, depending on:

  • Where you are in your menstrual cycle when you start
  • Whether you start with hormone pills or placebos

Your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist in Grand Rapids can advise you on:

  • The best day to start
  • Whether you need backup contraception (like condoms) for the first 7 days

How to Use the Combined Pill

  1. Take one pill every day, at about the same time each day
  2. Follow the order of pills in the pack
  3. If your pack includes sugar pills:
    • Take them as directed unless you are intentionally skipping your period under medical guidance
  4. When you finish one pack:
    • Start the next pack immediately (no gap), even if you are still bleeding

Benefits of the Combined Pill

The combined pill can:

  • Prevent pregnancy effectively
  • Be used to skip your period
  • Make periods lighter, more regular, and less painful
  • Help improve acne for some users
  • Reduce your risk of:
    • Cancer of the uterus (endometrial cancer)
    • Ovarian cancer
    • Colorectal (bowel) cancer
  • Help manage symptoms of:
    • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
    • Endometriosis

Once you stop taking the pill, your fertility usually returns quickly to normal.

Possible Side Effects of the Pill

A small number of people may experience side effects, especially in the first few months. These can include:

  • Irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting
  • Nausea
  • Sore or tender breasts
  • Headaches
  • Bloating
  • Changes to your skin
  • Mood changes

These side effects often improve with time. If they are severe or do not settle, talk to a healthcare provider in Grand Rapids.

Important:
The combined pill has not been shown to cause weight gain in most studies.

Serious Health Risks (Rare but Important)

The combined pill slightly increases the risk of:

  • Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – a blood clot, usually in the leg
  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • A tiny increase in breast cancer risk

The overall risk is still very low in healthy, non-smoking people under 35, but it is higher if you have certain health conditions or risk factors.

When the Combined Pill May Not Be a Good Option

The pill may not be suitable for you if you:

  • Find it hard to remember a daily tablet
  • Have certain types of migraine, especially with aura
  • Are very overweight (obesity can increase clot risk)
  • Have a close family member who has had a blood clot (DVT or pulmonary embolism)
  • Have had health conditions such as:
    • High blood pressure
    • Deep vein thrombosis
    • Heart disease
    • Liver disease
  • Are over 35 and smoke
  • Have been treated for breast cancer
  • Are taking certain medications or herbal remedies that interfere with the pill (check with your doctor or pharmacist)

Because Michigan winters can limit physical activity and increase time indoors, it’s especially important in Grand Rapids to review your personal risk factors for blood clots (such as obesity, smoking, or prolonged immobility) with your provider before starting the combined pill.

What Can Stop the Pill from Working?

The pill may be less effective if:

  • You miss a pill or take it more than 24 hours late
  • You vomit within 3 hours of taking a pill
  • You have very severe diarrhea
  • You are taking certain medications or natural remedies, including:
    • Some epilepsy medications
    • Certain HIV medications
    • Some antibiotics (rare, but check)
    • St. John’s wort

Always check with your Grand Rapids doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about any medications or supplements you are using.

If You Miss a Pill

If you miss a combined pill:

  1. Take the missed pill as soon as you remember
    • This may mean taking two pills in one day
  2. Continue the rest of the pack as normal

Whether you need backup contraception (like condoms) depends on:

  • How many pills you missed
  • Where you are in the pill pack

Because recommendations can vary by brand, always:

  • Read the patient information leaflet, and
  • Call your GP, pharmacist, or a local sexual health clinic in Grand Rapids for advice

Use Condoms and Consider Emergency Contraception

  • Use condoms if you are unsure whether you are protected
  • If you had sex without a condom in the 7 days before missing a pill, you may need emergency contraception

Local emergency contraception is available at:

  • Grand Rapids pharmacies (many open late, including 24-hour locations)
  • Urgent care centers
  • Hospital emergency departments (Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health)

Taking the Pill After Having a Baby

  • If you are breastfeeding:
    • The combined pill is usually not recommended in the first 3–6 weeks after birth because of a slightly higher risk of blood clots and possible effects on milk supply
    • A progestin-only pill is often preferred early after delivery
  • If you are not breastfeeding:
    • You can usually start the combined pill 3–6 weeks after having your baby, depending on your health and your provider’s advice

Pregnancy and the postpartum period already increase the risk of blood clots, so your Grand Rapids provider will carefully assess whether the combined pill is safe for you at that time.

Taking the Pill and Pregnancy

If you become pregnant while taking the pill:

  • The pill will not harm the pregnancy
  • It is safe to:
    • Continue the pregnancy and stop taking the pill, or
    • Discuss abortion options if that is your choice

Contact your GP, OB/GYN, or a local reproductive health clinic in Grand Rapids to talk about your options and next steps.

The Pill and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

The combined pill:

  • Does NOT protect against sexually transmissible infections (STIs)

To reduce your risk of STIs:

  • Use condoms (external or internal) with all new sexual partners
  • Get regular STI testing, especially if you have multiple partners

In Grand Rapids, STI testing is available through:

  • Kent County Health Department
  • Grand Rapids Public Health clinics
  • Hospital-affiliated clinics (Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health)
  • Many urgent care centers and primary care offices

Cost and Access in Grand Rapids, MI

Your doctor can provide a prescription (script) for the pill, which you can take to any pharmacy in Grand Rapids. Costs vary by:

  • Brand
  • Insurance coverage
  • Pharmacy pricing

If you have private insurance or Medicaid, many brands are low-cost or no-cost.

Some pharmacists may be able to provide a short emergency supply of your pill if you:

  • Have run out, and
  • Cannot see your doctor right away

If possible:

  • Show them your old pill packet so they can match the brand and dose

Local Resources in Grand Rapids, Michigan

If you live in Grand Rapids or the surrounding Kent County area, you can get information about contraception, pregnancy options, and sexual health from:

  • Your GP or OB/GYN (family medicine or women’s health clinics across Grand Rapids)
  • Local hospital systems:
    • Spectrum Health
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health
    • Mercy Health
  • Kent County Health Department – family planning and STI services
  • Grand Rapids Public Health clinics – reproductive and sexual health services
  • Community health centers and Planned Parenthood–style clinics in the metro area
  • Pharmacies – for pill refills, emergency contraception, and medication counseling

Many of these services are youth friendly, confidential, and offer sliding-scale fees or accept Medicaid.

Key Points About the Combined Pill

  • When used correctly, the combined pill is at least 99% effective at preventing pregnancy
  • It works by stopping ovulation and thickening cervical mucus to block sperm
  • The pill has not been shown to cause weight gain in most users
  • It may slightly increase the risk of blood clots, heart attack, stroke, and cause a tiny increase in breast cancer risk, but these risks are low in healthy, non-smoking people under 35
  • The pill does not protect against STIs – condoms are still important
  • Your Grand Rapids healthcare provider can help you choose the best pill and make sure it is safe for you, especially given your personal health history and lifestyle

If you’re in Grand Rapids, MI and considering the combined pill, schedule an appointment with your local GP, OB/GYN, or a family planning clinic to discuss which contraceptive option is right for you.