Birth Control Pill ("The Pill")
What are combined oral contraceptive
pills?
Combined birth control pills contain two hormones, an estrogen and a progestin. They work by stopping ovulation (release of an egg) and by inhibiting the movement of sperm. Among typical couples who initiate use of combined pills about eight percent of women will experience an accidental pregnancy in the first year. But if pills are used consistently and correctly, just three in 1,000 women will become pregnant. For increased protection against sexually transmitted diseases, use condoms as well. Pills alone do not protect against STIs and HIV.
Complete information about this contraceptive method is available through a clinician or the package insert accompanying the specific pills you are taking.
What
are the advantages of choosing combined oral contraceptive pills?
- When properly prescribed for the individual, pills are safer than pregnancy and delivery.
- Pills decrease a woman's risk for cancer of the ovaries and cancer of the lining of the uterus (endometrial cancer). Pills also lower a woman's chances of having benign breast masses.
- Pills significantly decrease a woman's menstrual cramps and pain.
- Pills reduce menstrual blood loss and anemia.
- Pills reduced PMS symptoms.
- Pills can reduce prevalence of acne by up to two-thirds.
- Many women enjoy sex more when on pills because they know they won't get pregnant.
- Some clinicians will provide pills without a pelvic exam.
- Pills suppress endometriosis.
What are the
disadvantages?
- Pills
do not protect from HIV/AIDS or other STIs. Use a condom for added protection.
- A
woman must remember to take the pill at the same time, every day.
- Nausea
and/or spotting are the two problems women may have
the first month on pills.
- Missed
periods or very light periods. Pills tend to make periods
very short and light.
- A
woman may see no blood at all. Most women like this
when they understand it is to be expected.
- Some
women experience headaches, depression or decreased
enjoyment of sex.
- Serious
complications such as blood clots are rare, but do
occur.
- Pills
can be quite expensive and usually require a prescription.
- Use of pills is associated with a statistically higher risk of developing cervical dysplasia. Pills users with dysplasia who also have HPV (human papillomavirus) have a three- to four-fold higher risk of developing cervical cancer.
- Pill users who smoke or have hypertension are at significantly higher risk of suffering a stroke, compared to other pill users. Pill users who smoke are also at significantly higher risk of a heart attack, compared to pill users who do not smoke and to other women.
Where
can I get combined oral contraceptive pills?
Pills
are available with a prescription from a clinician,
local health department, or family planning clinic.
What
are progestin-only pills?
Progestin-only pills contain just one hormone, a progestin. They work by making cervical mucus thicker so sperm cannot get to the egg, and by making the lining of the uterus thinner. Sometimes they stop ovulation (release of an egg). Among typical couples who initiate the use of progestin-only pills about eight percent of women will experience accidental pregnancy in the first year. But if these pills are used consistently and correctly, just three in 1000 women will become pregnant. For protection from HIV and increased protection from pregnancy, use condoms as well. Pills alone do not protect from STIs and HIV.
Complete information about this contraceptive is available through a clinician or the package insert accompanying the specific pills you or your partner are taking.
What are the
advantages of choosing progestin-only pills?
- Minipills
do not have estrogen related side effects and can be
taken by women who have had side effects or complications
using estrogen-containing pills.
- The
amount of the progestin in minipills is LESS than in
combined pills.
- Nursing
mothers can take progestin-only pills (preferably after
the baby is six weeks old).
- Minipills cause light menstrual flow and less anemia.
- Minipills reduce menstrual cramps, pain, headaches, mood swings, and breast tenderness.
- Minipills are associated with reduced risk of endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
- Minipills can help manage the pain associated with endometriosis.
What
are the disadvantages?
- Minipills
do not protect from HIV/AIDS or other STIs. Use a condom for added protection.
- Menstrual irregularity is the big problem with minipills. While the amount of blood lost is less, bleeding may be at irregular intervals and there may be spotting between periods.
- Minipills tend to make periods very short and scanty. A woman may go several months with no bleeding at all, and some women do not like this.
- A woman must remember to take a pill every single day.
- Some women using minipills gain weight or complain of feeling bloated. Regular exercise and attention to a nutritious diet can minimize or control weight gain.
- Some women using minipills experience increased symptoms of depression.
Where
can I get progestin-only pills?
Pills are available
with a prescription from a clinician, local health
department, or family planning clinic.
Adapted from Hatcher RA et al. Contraceptive Technology. 18th rev. edition. New York, NY: Ardent Media, 2004.
Additional Information >> Contraceptive Choices
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