Oral Contraception

What are they?
• Prescription pills that you take once a day
• There are two main types:

1. Combination pill which contains two female hormones similar to the body’s own estrogen and progesterone
2. Progestin-only pill (or mini-pill), which does not contain
   estrogen
   

Available under a variety of brand names with various strengths and formulations

How do they work?
• By stopping the release of a mature egg (meaning you don’t ovulate);
• By thickening the cervical mucus making it difficult for sperm to get to the egg;
• By changing the lining of the uterus making implantation difficult.

How effective are they?

• 99.7% effective with perfect use