Birth Control Pills

Birth controlVoluntary limitation or control of the number of children conceived, especially by planned use of contraceptive techniques. pills ("the pill"), or oral contraceptives, are pills that women can take at the same time everyday to prevent pregnancy. Birth control pills are made of hormonesm which are chemicals produed in our bodies.  Some birth control pills contain two hormones — estrogen and progestin. These are called combination pills. Some are progestin-only pills.  Most women on the pill take combination pills.

The hormones in the pill work by keeping a woman’s ovaries from releasing eggs — ovulation. Pregnancy cannot happen if there is no egg to join with sperm. The hormones in the pill also prevent pregnancy by thickening a woman’s cervical mucus. The mucus blocks sperm and keeps it from joining with an egg.

Effectiveness:              

• 97-99% effective in preventing pregnancy; not effective against sexually transmitted infections or HIV.  

Advantages:                 

• Easy to use.
• Can lighten the flow of your period.
• Can reduce the risk of ovarian cancer and benign ovarian cysts.

Disadvantages:             

• The pill needs to be taken at the same time every day.
• Your clinician will discuss medically recognized benefits and risks.    

Availability:                  

• Several types of birth control pills are available at all PPWP health center sites.
• Please see Fees for Services for more information about our sliding fee options. 

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