What Is It?
Pills containing the hormones estrogen and progestin.
How Does It Work?
- Thickens cervical mucus
- Prevents ovulation (release of egg)
- Prevents implantation of fertilized egg
How Is It Used?
- One pill taken at the same time each day
Effectiveness
- 92% – 99.7%
- Failure rate increased with some medications, missed pills, taking pills late
Benefits
- Reversible
- Does not interfere with sex
- Medically safe for most women
- Regulates periods, lighter periods
- Decreases menstrual pain and PMS
- May improve acne
- Decreases risk for ovarian and endometrial cancer
Possible Concerns
- Nausea, weight gain, headaches, dizziness, breast tenderness
- Break-through bleeding or spotting between periods
- Mood swings
- May increase risk of stroke, heart attack, blood clots and high blood pressure (especially for women over 35 who smoke)
- New pill clients must also use additional form of birth control for first month
DOES NOT REDUCE THE RISK OF HIV/AIDS OR STDs
