Vanessa Lin
Birth control pills are an effective method of preventing pregnancy. They work by blocking conception, preventing ovulation, and thickening the mucus around the cervix to prevent sperm from entering the uterus. However, they must be taken every day to be effective. Missing one day increases the chance of getting pregnant. In addition to preventing pregnancy, birth control pills can also provide other health benefits, such as making menstrual cycles more regular and reducing menstrual cramps and migraines.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Effectiveness | 99% effective at preventing pregnancy if taken every day |
| How it works | Blocks conception, prevents ovulation, thickens mucus around the cervix, changes the uterus lining |
| Side effects | Spotting between periods, longer menstrual cycles, increased chance of pregnancy if missed |
| Health benefits | Lighter/more regular periods, prevents anemia, reduces menstrual cramps and migraines, lessens PMS/PMDD symptoms, reduces hot flashes during menopause, treats PCOS |
| Other | Not to be used as a regular method of birth control |
What You'll Learn
- The morning-after pill is not the same as regular birth control pills
- Regular birth control pills are 99% effective at preventing pregnancy
- Missing one day of the pill increases the chance of getting pregnant
- The hormones in birth control pills prevent pregnancy by blocking conception
- Birth control pills can also be used to treat polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
The morning-after pill is not the same as regular birth control pills
The morning-after pill, on the other hand, is emergency contraception and should not be used as a regular method of birth control. It can be taken after ovulation and may delay your period. It can also cause spotting between periods and may make your next menstrual cycle longer than normal.
Regular birth control pills are 99% effective at preventing pregnancy if taken every day. However, missing even one day increases the chance of getting pregnant. Nine out of every 100 people on the pill have unintended pregnancies each year.
Regular birth control pills can also provide health benefits in addition to pregnancy prevention, such as making menstrual cycles more regular and lighter, reducing menstrual cramps and migraines, and lessening symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
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Regular birth control pills are 99% effective at preventing pregnancy
The hormones in birth control pills prevent ovulation, which is the release of an egg during the monthly menstrual cycle. Pregnancy cannot happen if a female doesn't ovulate because there is no egg to be fertilised. The Pill also works by thickening the mucus around the cervix, which makes it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus and reach any eggs that may have been released.
However, it is important to note that the pill is only 99% effective if taken every day. Forgetting to take the pill at the scheduled time increases the chances of pregnancy if you are sexually active. In fact, nine out of every 100 people on the pill have unintended pregnancies each year.
In addition to preventing pregnancy, birth control pills can also provide other health benefits, such as making menstrual cycles more regular and lighter, preventing anaemia, reducing menstrual cramps and migraines, and lessening symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
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Missing one day of the pill increases the chance of getting pregnant
The pill works by thickening the mucus around the cervix, which makes it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus and reach any eggs that may have been released. The hormones in the pill can also sometimes affect the lining of the uterus, making it difficult for an egg to attach to the wall of the uterus.
In general, how well each type of birth control method works depends on a lot of things. Of course, this is an average figure and the chance of getting pregnant depends on whether you take your birth control pills every day. You can get pregnant soon after stopping the pill. Most people who decide to try for a baby get pregnant within a year after stopping the pill.
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The hormones in birth control pills prevent pregnancy by blocking conception
Most birth control pills are "combination pills" containing a mix of the hormones estrogen and progesterone to prevent ovulation (the release of an egg during the monthly menstrual cycle). Pregnancy can't happen if a female doesn't ovulate because there is no egg to be fertilized. The pill also works by thickening the mucus around the cervix, which makes it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus and reach any eggs that may have been released. The hormones in the pill can also sometimes affect the lining of the uterus, making it difficult for an egg to attach to the wall of the uterus.
In addition to preventing pregnancy, birth control pills can provide other health benefits, such as making menstrual cycles more regular and lighter, preventing anemia, reducing menstrual cramps and migraines, and lessening symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
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Birth control pills can also be used to treat polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Birth control pills are an effective form of contraception, but they must be taken every day to prevent pregnancy. The hormones in birth control pills prevent pregnancy by blocking ovulation, when an egg is released from the ovary, and by thickening the mucus around the cervix, which makes it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus. They also cause changes to the uterus lining, making it difficult for an egg to attach to the uterine wall.
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Frequently asked questions
No, regular birth control pills are not to be used as emergency contraception. If you are looking to stop an early pregnancy, you should take emergency contraception such as the morning-after pill.
The morning-after pill works differently from the birth control pills you take regularly. The hormones in the morning-after pill prevent pregnancy by blocking conception, when sperm fertilises an egg. They also cause changes in your uterus so that it can't support a pregnancy.
Most birth control pills are "combination pills" containing a mix of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone to prevent ovulation (the release of an egg during the monthly menstrual cycle). The pill also works by thickening the mucus around the cervix, which makes it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus and reach any eggs that may have been released.
The pill is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy, but only if you take it every day. Forgetting to take the pill at the scheduled time increases your chances of pregnancy if you're sexually active. Nine out of every 100 people on the pill have unintended pregnancies each year.
The pill can provide health benefits in addition to pregnancy prevention. It can make your menstrual cycle (periods) lighter or more regular, prevent anaemia (by lightening your periods), reduce menstrual cramps and menstrual migraines, lessen symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), reduce hot flashes during the transition into menopause (perimenopause) and treat polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
