Patient Services: Birth Control Pills - "The Pill"

What are birth control pills?

Birth control pills are a kind of medication prescribed to women that they take daily to prevent pregnancy. They are sometimes called "the pill" or oral contraception. Birth control pills can have a combination of hormones or have progesterone only.

How do birth control pills work?

Birth control pills use hormones that are similar to estrogen and progesterone produced by a woman's ovaries to prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation) and by thickening cervical mucus to prevent sperm from joining an egg.

How effective is this method?

When taken as directed, birth control pills are between 92-99.7 percent effective in preventing pregnancy.

What are the advantages of using this method?

• They are easy to use.
• Can be used to change the timing and frequency of your period.

What are the disadvantages of using this method?

• The pill needs to be taken every day at the same time.
• Different risks apply to women with certain health factors. Your clinician will discuss all the medically-recognized benefits and risks with you.
• The pill does not prevent against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections.

Birth Control Methods