Facts about birth control pill

How effective is the pill?

The effectiveness of the pill depends entirely on you taking it on time, every time. Statistics show that the pill is 96-99% effective. However, in reality, this rate is much lower, around 87%. Tardiness and poor user habits such as taking the pill at different times of day, missing days or skipping pills all decrease the effectiveness.

What are the benefits of the pill?

Being on the pill can provide many benefits such as controlling acne, reducing menstrual cramping, lightening your flow or helping with irritability. There are even birth control pills that can be taken for three months at a time reducing the number of periods you have each year. Talk to your doctor to find out which kind of pill is right for you. The pill also offers some preventative benefits like less chances of getting pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), some protection against benign breast cysts, some protection against ovarian and uterine cancers, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

What are the side effects?

The most common side effects of the pill are headaches, spotting between periods and weight changes. Smokers should consider a different form of birth control as the pill is not recommended for smokers of any age. The most serious complication associated with birth control pills are blood clots. It is a popular myth that birth control pills can make you fat. Some people do gain weight on the pill, an average of 5 pounds, but some people lose weight. It is hard to tell if your weight will be affected until you are taking the pill. Periodic visits to your doctor can help you monitor weight change associated with the pill, if any.