Birth Control Pills
Birth control pills (oral contraceptives) are pills, which are taken by mouth everyday to prevent pregnancy. Combined birth control pills are the most common type and contain both female sex hormones - estrogen and progesterone (in the form of progestin). The pill works mainly by preventing the ovaries from releasing eggs (ovulation). Secondarily, it may also prevent fertilization from occurring by thickening the cervical mucus, which impedes the sperm.

Effectiveness
During typical 1st year use, only 8% of women taking the pill will become pregnant. Women, who take the pill correctly everyday, have less than a 1% chance of pregnancy.

Proper Use
The Pill should be taken as directed. The usual regimen is to start the Pill the 1st Sunday after the menstrual period starts. Continue taking the pill, one each day, until the package is empty. There is no need to take a break from taking the Pill even if it has been used for a long time. Most women take the Pill with no side effects. Some minor reactions, which usually clear up after 2 - 3 months of use include: spotting between periods, breast tenderness, nausea, mood changes, and weight gain or loss. If these symptoms persist, your clinician may advise changing to a different brand of Pill.

Contradictions To Pill Use
You should not use the Pill if you have blood clots in the veins of the lungs or legs, cancer of the breast or uterus, unexplained vaginal bleeding, impaired liver function and certain heart disorders. Other medical conditions such as smoking may make the Pill unsafe for a woman over 35. Your clinician will screen you for these conditions.
Although the risk of stroke, blood clots, and heart disease are extremely rare in a healthy woman on the Pill, you should be aware of these symptoms and you should report to your clinician: severe abdominal pain, chest pain, shortness of breath, severe headache, dizziness, weakness, numbness, blurry vision, speech problems and/or severe leg pain. An easy way to remember these rare but serious symptoms is "ACHES":

• A = Abdominal Pain
• C = Chest Pain
• H = Headaches that are unusual for you
• E = Eye Problems (eg. blurry vision)
• S = Severe Leg Pain

Advantages
The Pill is an extremely effective method of birth control. They do not interrupt lovemaking. The Pill protects women against ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, painful and/or irregular periods, breast cysts, iron deficiency anemia, ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus), and infections of the fallopian tubes. Most women have less cramping and a much lighter menstrual flow. Their periods are predictable and regular.

Disadvantages
The Pill requires a prescription and is a relatively more expensive birth control method. There is an extremely rare risk of blood clots, stroke and heart attack in older smokers. Some of the minor Pill reactions include nausea, irregular bleeding, headache, weight change, and depression which usually lessen with a change of Pill brand. The Pill requires conscientious use each day for maximum protection against pregnancy. Some anti-seizure medications and antibiotics such as penicillin and tetracycline may lessen the Pill's effectiveness. You should discuss all medications with a clinician. The Pill does not protect against any sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) - use of condoms along with the Pill would help prevent STDs.