Birth control pills are the number one choice of young women. They are very effective because they prevent pregnancy in several different ways:

1. They prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg.

2. They make the cervical mucous thick so the sperm can't swim inside.

3. They make the lining of the uterus thin so the egg can't stick.

Advantages:

1. They are very effective, about 99% if you take one every day.
2. It's easy for most women to take one pill a day and not have to worry about getting pregnant.
3. Current low dose pills rarely have side effects.
4. The pills offer numerous benefits in addition to their contraceptive effect:

• Menstrual periods are more regular, lighter, shorter and less painful.
• You can choose exactly when to have your period, or when not to have it.
• PMS is often less.
• They increase the chance you'll be able to get pregnant in the future, due to items below marked with an asterisk (*).
• Blood loss is reduced, so the chance of iron deficiency anemia is much less.
• The risk of cancer of the uterus is reduced by 80%.
• *The risk of cancer of the ovary is reduced by 50%. The risk of benign tumors of the ovary is reduced by 90%.
• *They reduce the chance of serious pelvic infections
• *They reduce the probability of developing endometriosis.
• *The chance of ectopic pregnancy (which can require major surgery) is reduced.
• They make your bones stronger.
• Your breasts might get larger.
• Your complexion will improve. If this is important to you, tell your doctor, so you can get the pill that's best for this.
• They cost as little as $5 a month (in subsidized clinics); they're $15 in our office.

Disadvantages:

1. You need to go to a doctor or clinic to get them.

2. They cost up to $30 per month at a pharmacy.

3. People can find your pill package and know you're on the pill.

4. When you're on the pill your motivation to make your partner use condoms may be reduced. That may increase your risk of sexually transmitted diseases.

5. You have to remember to take one every day.

6. Your breasts might get larger.

7. The pills can cause headaches, depression or high blood pressure, but this is not common.

8. Some women have a harder time controlling their weight while on the pill.

9. Certain medications decrease the effectiveness of the pill. Drugs to control seizures (epilepsy) and those used to treat TB (tuberculosis) reduce the protection from pregnancy so much that another method of birth control must be used. Other medications, including many antibiotics, may also reduce the effectiveness.

There are many misconceptions about the pill. The truth is:

• The pill does not cause weight gain. You can gain weight on the pill if you eat more or exercise less.
• The pill does not decrease your chances to have children in the future. The reverse is true. It protects your ability to get pregnant later.
• The pill does not cause cancer. It actually reduces your chance of getting two common cancers.

You can compare the different brands of pills.

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