THE PILL
COMBINED PILL
A once-daily oral contraceptive containing the hormones estrogen and progestin that stops your ovaries from releasing an egg every month.
91% EFFECTIVE WITH TYPICAL USEDid you know?
The pill has been around now for over 50 years. In fact, the first oral contraceptive pill called Enovid was approved in the U.S. in 1960.BENEFITS
- 99.7% effective with perfect use
- 91% effective with typical use
- Reversible
- Makes periods more regular and decreases menstrual flow and menstrual cramping
- May reduce risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer
- Side effects can include irregular bleeding, spotting, nausea, bloating, breast tenderness, and headaches
- Not suitable for smokers over age 35 or women over age 35 with migraines
- May increase risk of blood clots
PROGESTIN-ONLY PILL
A once-daily oral contraceptive containing the hormone progestin that alters cervical mucus, reducing sperm penetration. It may also stop your ovaries from releasing an egg every month.
91% EFFECTIVE WITH TYPICAL USEBENEFITS
- 99.7% effective with perfect use
- 91% effective with typical use
- May be suitable for smokers over age 35 or women over age 35 with migraines, women who have unwanted side effects with the combined pill, or women who are breastfeeding
- Does not appear to increase the risk of blood clots, stroke, or heart attack
- Side effects can include increased irregular bleeding and/or spotting in the first month
- Hormonal side effects such as headache, bloating, acne, and breast tenderness occur less commonly
- Not associated with any major morbidity
