Oral Contraceptives
From Encyclopedia of Sex and Sexuality
Often referred to as “The Pill,” oral contraceptives are a birth control method in which a woman takes a daily dose of hormone which keeps her ovaries from releasing eggs. A convenient, safe method of birth control, oral contraceptives can be considered one of the major causes of the sexual revolution that began in the 1960s, because with their high rate of effectiveness they freed women from the risk of unwanted pregnancies. In typical use, the pill has a failure rate of only 3 per 100 women per year of average use, and with perfect use that drops to a fraction of a percent.
There are two kinds of oral contraceptives—combination pills, which contain two hormones, estrogen and progestin, and the mini-pill which contains only progestin. The pill works by preventing the woman’s ovaries from releasing eggs. The mini-pill can also prevent ovulation but it also works by thickening the cervical mucus, keeping sperm from joining with an egg. Mini-pills may also prevent a fertilized egg from implanting itself in the uterus.
In the early days of the pill those in common use contained stronger doses of hormones, which did raise fears about side effects, including an increased risk of breast cancer and lowered libido. Because the dosages have been lowered, these risks have been greatly reduced, though the pill is not recommended for women over thirty-five years of age who smoke. The pill has also been found to reduce the risk of certain other cancers, such as ovarian cancer and uterine cancer. Because of the dangers associated with complications from pregnancy, most women are safer taking the pill, which is a very effective form of birth control, than not taking it.
There are also some minor side effects that women experience, including bleeding between periods, weight gain or loss, breast tenderness, nausea, and vomiting. These difficulties often disappear after the first three months of use.
The one important danger that must be mentioned is that the pill does not prevent sexually transmitted diseases and unless a woman is in a stable, monogamous relationship, a condom should be used for prophylactic purposes. The other caution for women taking the pill is that they must remember to take it every day. Even if a woman is not engaging in sexual intercourse very often, if she skips taking the pill and then resumes doing so later, it may not be effective.
Oral contraceptives must be prescribed by a physician after an examination which can cost between $35 and $125 for a private doctor in the United States (less at a clinic). A monthly supply of birth control pills costs between $15 and $25, but again, lower costs can be expected from a clinic (see also Vasectomy and the Male Pillvasectomy and the male pill).
