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Birth ControlThe Pill“The pill” refers to one of the various forms of birth control that is taken orally (by mouth). Combined oral contraceptives have been on the market for more than 35 years and are the most popular form of reversible birth control in the United States. This form of birth control is called reversible because it suppresses ovulation (the monthly release of an egg from the ovaries) by the combined actions of the hormones, estrogen and progestin.If you remember to take the pill every day as directed, you have an extremely low chance of becoming pregnant – in fact, the overall failure rate of the combined pill is 0.1%. The pill's effectiveness may be reduced if you are taking other medications, such as certain antibiotics. Be sure to discuss this with your physician. Besides preventing pregnancy, the pill offers additional benefits. As stated in the labeling, the pill can make periods more regular. It also has a protective effect against ovarian and endometrial cancers, and against pelvic inflammatory disease, an infection of the fallopian tubes or uterus that is a major cause of infertility in women. The decision whether to take the pill should be made in consultation with your health professional. Birth control pills are safe for most women--safer even than delivering a baby--but they do carry some risks.
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