How Does It Work?

• It prevents ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovaries).
• It thickens the cervical mucus to make it harder for the sperm and egg to meet.
• It thins the uterine lining to hinder egg implantation in the uterus if egg fertilization occurs.

How Is It Used?

• A pill must be taken every day. Generally, the pills taken during the first three weeks of the month contain hormones, while the pills taken during the fourth week are “blanks” (no hormones), allowing you to have a menstrual period.
• It’s best to take each pill at the same time of day, such as every morning when you wake up or before bed if you have a consistent bedtime.

Does It Protect Against STIs?

STI stands for sexually transmitted infection. STI risk varies depending on how you choose to protect yourself and your partner during sexual or intimate activities.

The pill does not protect against STIs.

Does It Protect Against Pregnancy?

Yes, as long as the pill is taken every day consistently. Your chances of getting pregnant while taking the pill are:

• Typical use: 5 percent
• Perfect use: 0.1 percent

Pregnancy can occur if you don’t take pills correctly. For example, mistakes include:

• Taking the pills too late in the course of the menstrual cycle.
• Missing two or more pills in a row.
• Not taking the pills in the correct order.
• For very low-dose pills, taking it even a half-day late.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages:

• Ease of use.
• More regular periods.
• Less menstrual flow.
• Decreased severity of cramps.
• Decreased acne. 

Taking the pill also helps prevent serious health risks, such as:

• Pelvic inflammatory disease, a major cause of infertility in women.
• Ovarian and endometrial cancer.
• Osteoporosis (thinning of the bones).

Disadvantages:

• You must remember to take it every day without fail or it won’t be effective.
• It doesn’t protect against STIs.

Potential health risks from the pill include:

• Weight gain or loss.
• Spotting between periods.
• Breast tenderness or growth.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Depression.
• Decreased or increased sexual drive.
• Blood clots.

Things to Remember

• You can only get birth control pills from a medical clinician, and an exam may be required.
• The costs of the exam and prescription vary but are usually lower at a clinic such as Planned Parenthood. The cost is covered by Medicaid.
• Don’t use the pill if you smoke more than 15 cigarettes a day.
• Using the pill in addition to condoms is a more effective way to protect yourself against pregnancy as well as STIs.
• If you’re breastfeeding or suffer side effects from estrogen, such as severe headaches and high blood pressure, talk to your doctor about a pill without estrogen, called the Mini Pill.

What if I Miss a Pill?

Although you should take the pill at roughly the same time of day, it’s not considered a miss unless you forget to take it for the whole day.

• If you miss any hormone pills, use a backup birth control method, such as condoms, for the rest of the month.
• If you miss one hormone pill, take it with the current day’s pill (two total) as soon as you remember.
• If you miss two hormone pills, take two pills as soon as you remember and two the next day, then back to normal.
• If you miss three pills, that’s it! You’ll get your period. Throw away the package and start over with a new package.
• If you miss a “blank” pill, don’t worry about it. Stay on track with your pack.

Last Reviewed: January 2019