BIRTH CONTROL PILLS.....HOW GOOD IS IT?

Birth control....What a miracle for women! Imagine only having to take a small pill everyday, each month, which would prevent pregnancy at a rate of 99% when used correctly. It is a phenomena that has been on the market for many years now. Women all over the world are currently using their birth control prescriptions to avoid the risk of pregnancy. Just how good are these tiny pills? What do they do for us women? Could something this great have a terrible effect on our bodies, or is it simply just another a form of protection?



Today a high percentage of teenage girls are turning to birth control as one of their first options to protect themselves against pregnancy. Sexual activity has become one of the most difficult decisions for teens to deal with. There is a huge responsibility that comes with the decision of having sex. The first responsibilty is using contraception and this is where birth control comes into play. The use of birth control by teenage girls has risen. In a study in 2003 about 61% of teens (15-19 yrs old) admitted to using birth control pills while being sexually active.(http://www.kff.org/youthhivstds/upload/U-S-Teen-Sexual-Activity-Fact-Sheet.pdf)



The effectiveness of the pill comes with a catch. It must be taken daily at a consistant time. The effectiveness of the pill itself is measured according to how many women become pregnant during the first year of using oral contraception. In typical oral contraception pills the failure rate (occuring pregnancies) is about 5% per year. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birth_control) This is usually due to ineffective usage. The birth control pill is a tiny tablet taken daily that is made of synthetic female hormones such as progestin and estrogen (which are normally produced by the ovaries). The pills prevent pregnancy by suppressing the pituitary gland, preventing the development and release of an egg in the ovary. The progestin also changes the lining of the uterus and stops the sperm from reaching the egg. Due to the fact that not all women will be able to take the pill perfectly (everyday at the same time) oral contraception is considered 95% effective, Although when used correctly it can be 99% effective or more. (http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/femalehormone1.html) However, the pills do have side effects. The minor side effects are, light bleeding between menstrual periods, weight change, nausea, skipped periods, an increase in vaginal infections, and bloating. The greater side affects of the birth control pills are much more serious; they include, heart attacks, stroke or blood clots. These side affects usually occur in older women (35 yrs +), women who smoke, or women with health problems (see doctor) (http://www.unm.edu/~shc1/pill-side-effects.html).



The bottom line ladies and gentlemen, is that birth control is a great form of contraception for those who are ready to take on the responsibilities that come with it. Most women do benefit from the pill. Please see your doctor for further information about birth control and more varieties of contraception. Also, remember that birtch control pills DO NOT PROTECT YOU FROM STD's!!!!