The birth control pill – What about it?

In this section you will learn the basics about the Pill, including fast facts statistics, how it works, and if the Pill is an option for you.

Just about everybody knows about the birth control pill, aka “the Pill” – on the surface, it's pretty self-explanatory.  It's a little tablet, you swallow it, you take it every day and it prevents pregnancy up to 99.9% of the time when you use it correctly (according to the Product Information). 

So, what else is there to know?  Well, lots…especially for the Modern Girl who wants to know more about what she's putting into her body.  For starters, here are 5 basic but essential facts about the Pill:

	It's a prescription medicine. You can only get the Pill through a doctor or other healthcare professional authorized to prescribe it.
	It contains hormones.  Hormones are the “active ingredient” in the Pill, and the reason why the Pill works.  In fact, most birth control pills contain 2 different hormones – estrogen and progestin.  That's why these types of pills are sometimes referred to as “combination” birth control pills.
	Other than the obvious contraceptive benefit, the Pill also may benefit women in other ways, from regulating periods to helping protect against certain types of cancer of the female reproductive system.
	It has risks as well as benefits, as with any medication.  Both the benefits and the risks associated with taking the Pill are related to the hormones it contains.  Over the years, researchers have developed new formulations of the Pill to lower the hormone dose while maintaining effectiveness.
	The Pill does not protect against HIV or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The birth control method that can best protect you against STDs, other than abstinence, is the condom, because it creates a physical barrier that stops the transmission of these diseases.

Learn more about the inner workings at thepill.com

You know that taking the Pill prevents pregnancy, but you may not be sure how it actually works in your body.  If you're a Modern Girl, you'll want to know this. You may even view it as your duty to know this.  So here it is: To understand how the Pill works, you first need to understand how your body works when you're not on the Pill.  This sequence shows you step by step…and how the Pill can prevent pregnancy in – surprise! – not just one, or two, but three ways.

Is the Pill is right for you?

Looking for reliable birth control?  The Pill is a good choice if taken correctly, but it's not the only one, and it's not right for everyone.  There's a lot to consider – not only about the different methods themselves but also about the different benefits and risks that can help determine which might best fit you and your needs.  One thing is for sure, if you're interested in the Pill then you need to commit to taking it every day.  Beyond that, talking with healthcare professionals and close friends about their personal experiences is one way to start figuring out what could be right for you.  Another is this handy interactive tool that compares the Pill with 11 other birth control methods. 

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So many kinds, how do you choose? >

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