What are the health risks and benefits of birth control pills?

The pill has health benefits. Side effects aren't always a bad thing, and birth control pills aren't just for birth control. The pill has many perks besides pregnancy prevention. Both combination and progestin-only pills reduce menstrual cramps, lighten periods, and lower your risk of ectopic pregnancy. read more

If you take the birth control pill (oral contraceptive), you're probably happy with its convenience and reliability. Still, you may have questions about how birth control pills could affect your health, the benefits and risks of birth control pills, and newer options available. read more

The pill has health benefits. Side effects aren’t always a bad thing, and birth control pills aren’t just for birth control. The pill has many perks besides pregnancy prevention. Both combination and progestin-only pills reduce menstrual cramps, lighten periods, and lower your risk of ectopic pregnancy. read more

Today's birth control pills contain lower amounts of hormones and come in many different dosing options to allow women effective and flexible methods of family planning. 1,2 Many women are able to take the birth control pill with few or no side effects. read more