The pill is a form of birth control used to prevent pregnancy. They contain low doses of the hormones estrogen and progestin which are similar to a woman’s natural hormones that control her menstrual cycle. Different brands of birth control pills contain different amounts of each of these hormones and many women have to try a few different kinds before finding one that works for her. The pill can have many benefits aside from preventing pregnancy.

When a woman starts taking the pill her ovaries stop releasing eggs. The mucus in the cervix also gets thicker, making it harder for sperm to enter. When taken properly the pill is a very safe method to prevent pregnancy and the pregnancy rate is about 1%. Many women forget to take a pill every now and then and this will generally increase the pregnancy rate to about 5%. Birth control pills can also decrease menstrual bleeding and cramps and some doctors prescribe it to treat polycystic ovary syndrome and endometriosis where controlling bleeding is important. Taking the pill regularly can lower a woman’s risk of pelvic inflammatory disease that results from a sexually transmitted infection. Perhaps the most beneficial of all is that the pill lowers a woman’s risk of getting ovarian cancer by 50% as soon as six months after she starts taking it. Birth control pills reduce the number of ovulations which is why they prevent this type of deadly cancer. Research also suggests that taking the pill can lower the risk of endometrial and uterine cancer by up to 50%. Women who suffer from acne find the pill to be useful in clearing up their skin and many doctors will prescribe it for this reason alone.

Though there are many benefits to taking birth control pills there are some side effects. Women who smoke are at a much greater risk for developing blood clots and having a heart attack or a stroke. Those who have had a history of stroke, heart attack, liver disease, cancer, or are pregnant should not take the pill.