Pros And Cons Of Birth Control

Pros And Cons Of Birth Control
The Pros and Cons of the Birth Control Pill

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Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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Brian Levine, MD, MS, FACOG, is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, as well as in reproductive endocrinology and infertility.

Women have been enjoying the benefits of the birth control pill since the first one was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on May 9, 1960. When used as directed, the pill is 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.

Most women can safely use birth control pills. However, as with all medications, they do have possible side effects and risks.

Here's a rundown of the pros and cons of using oral contraceptives, including common side effects.

Obviously, the main reasons to take the birth control pill are to prevent pregnancy and regulate the menstrual cycle. Some of the pill's benefits include:

Combination birth control pills that include both estrogen and progestin can also provide other health benefits. They may offer some protection against: 2

Birth control pills have benefits beyond preventing pregnancy. For example, they can lessen menstrual cramps, reduce acne breakouts, and protect against osteoporosis.

Research suggests that birth control pills can lower the risk of ovarian cancer by 27% and the risk of endometrial cancer by 50% compared to other types of contraceptives. 2

Protection against developing these cancers can last up to 30 years after stopping combination birth control pills. Plus, protection increases with each year of use. If you use combination pills for six years, your risk of ovarian or endometrial cancer will be lowered by up to 60%.

Studies also show that women who take the pill are 15% to 20% less likely to get colorectal cancer. 3

While research has shown that taking birth control pills may reduce the risk of some cancers, it can slightly increase the risk of developing breast cancer. 3

If you use birth control pills, you may experience some side effects. The good news is that most of these side effects will go away by the second or third month of use as your body adjusts to the hormones in the pill.

Birth control pill side effects may include: 1

Combination birth control pills may also cause:

Progestin-only birth control pills may lead to irregular spotting and bleeding more frequently than combination pills.

You should read the paper insert that comes inside your pill pack for more detailed information about how to use them and what the side effects are. The insert should also explain when to take your birth control pills and what to do if you miss a pill.

You can take your birth control pill with an evening meal or at bedtime to help decrease nausea and/or vomiting.

Side effects are a common reason why people stop taking birth control pills. Talk to your healthcare provider to see if changing to a different brand of pill may help, especially if the side effects last longer than three months. 4

Serious problems do not occur very often with the pill. In fact, birth control pills are much safer than pregnancy and childbirth.

The most serious potential complication of combination birth control pill is developing a blood clot in your heart, lungs, brain, or legs. 5

If you have a history of depression, you may not be able to continue to take birth control pills if your depression worsens.

If you are planning to have surgery, you should inform your surgeon that you are using combination birth control pills.

Other things to be aware of if you are considering the pill:

Pill brands like Yaz and Beyaz contain drospirenone . These pills may have an interaction with medications that increase potassium , such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and beta blockers. Potassium is a mineral in your blood that helps regulate your heartbeat and blood pressure, among other things.

Birth control pills have been on the market since 1960 and are considered very effective and safe to use. They are 99% effective in preventing pregnancy when used as directed.

Birth control pills have other health benefits. They can lessen the pain of menstrual cramps, keep acne under control, and protect against certain cancers.

As with all medications, they do have some potential risks and side effects. These include an increased risk of blood clots and a small increase in breast cancer risk.

You and your healthcare provider should discuss the pros and cons of the pill for you specifically. It can take a few months for side effects to go away completely. If you continue to have side effects, your doctor may want you to switch to a different brand. It may take some trial and error with various pill brands until you find the brand that works best with your body.

If taken as directed, birth control pills are 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. 8
Research shows that birth control pills do not cause weight loss or gain . However, the pill may be less effective in women who are significantly overweight. 9
Yes, but combination birth control pills may decrease your milk supply. Instead, you may want to try a progestin-only pill. They do not decrease milk production in breastfeeding women. 8
Birth control pills start preventing pregnancy within seven days of starting them. 8
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Office on Women's Health. Birth control methods .
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. ACOG practice bulletin no. 110: Noncontraceptive uses of hormonal contraceptives . Obstet Gynecol . 2010;115(1):206-18. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e3181cb50b5
Westhoff CL, Heartwell S, Edwards S, et al. Oral contraceptive discontinuation: do side effects matter? Am J Obstet Gynecol . 2007;196(4):412.e1-6 doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2006.12.015
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Committee on Gynecologic Practice. ACOG committee opinion number 540: Risk of venous thromboembolism among users of drospirenone-containing oral contraceptive pills . Obstet Gynecol . 2012;120(5):1239-42. doi:10.1097/aog.0b013e318277c93b
Cherala G, Edelman A. How can we improve oral contraceptive success in obese women? Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol . 2015;8(1):1–3. doi:10.1586/17512433.2015.974558
Lee CR. Drug interactions and hormonal contraception . Trends in Urology, Gynaecology & Sexual Health . 2009;14(3):23-26. doi:10.1002/tre.107
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Statistics have shown that at least one in two pregnancies in America is unplanned. This makes birth control very necessary. Before you make a decision on which birth control to use, you should consult your health care provider and get to know the pros and cons of birth control options. However, you should always note that even the most effective birth control method can fail. If you make an informed decision on the type of birth control to use, you reduce the chances of getting pregnant after all.
Progesterone pills (POP) also known as “mini-pill” and combination pills are the most common types of birth control pills. Each pill in the combination pills contains both estrogen and progesterone. The progesterone pill is appropriate for women who cannot take estrogen and or are breastfeeding. Emergency contraceptives are also progesterone only pills, but are not meant for regular use. When it comes to effectiveness, when the pill is used according to the instructions, 1 out of 100 women might become pregnant in one year. However, if it is not used correctly, 8 out of 100 might be become pregnant. Here are specific pros and cons for pills:
Apart from the pros and cons of birth control pills, other contraceptive methods also have their advantages and disadvantages. The following are the pros and cons of several common birth control options that you can choose from.
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There are as many types of birth control as there are reasons for using it. Whether you’re trying to regulate your menstrual cycle, fight acne, correct hormonal imbalances, or prevent pregnancy, there is a birth control option that will work for you. You should always talk to your gynecologist about what you want from your birth control and discuss any past experiences you’ve had before trying a new form of birth control. But to give you an idea of your options, we’ve pulled together a list of the different types of birth control and their pros and cons.
There are many types of birth control, and choosing the right one for your body will take some reflection—and possibly some experimentation. There is no one perfect birth control. What’s most important is that you choose one that is comfortable and that helps you achieve your health goals. Before you read through this list, it may be helpful to ask yourself these questions. The answers will help you choose a birth control method that works for your body and circumstances.
Now that you’ve thought over your criteria and goals for your birth control method, let’s take a look at your options!
The first st of birth control options work by releasing small amounts of estrogen and progesterone into your bloodstream. This mimics the hormones that tell your body you’re already pregnant and stops the release of an egg. With no egg to fertilize, you cannot become pregnant. Hormonal birth control options, when used correctly, have a very high rate of success. However, they cannot protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) . These are usually the best options for women who are in long-term committed relationships or women who are treating hormonal symptoms like acne and irregular periods. If you are concerned about STIs, you can use non-hormonal methods of birth control in conjunction with hormonal methods.
The pill is perhaps the most well-known form of hormonal birth control. When used correctly, it has a 99% effectiveness rate of preventing pregnancy. However, studies on typical usage find it to be 91% effective.
There are many different types and brands of birth control pills. Every woman’s body chemistry and hormone levels are unique, so if one pill doesn’t work for you, don’t despair! Try different formulas and combinations until you find one that’s right for you. Your gynecologist will be able to recommend one based on your health circumstances and past experiences.
The shot is similar to the pill in that it is a combination of hormones meant to prevent ovulation. But instead of taking a pill every day, you will get an injection every 90 days. With perfect use, the shot is 99% effective. Typical use is about 94% effective.
The ring is a soft, flexible plastic ring inserted into your vagina and up near your cervix. The ring emits estrogen and progesterone to prevent ovulation. A ring lasts for three weeks, then you take it out and have your period before inserting a new one. With perfect use, the ring is 99% effective, but typically you’ll see a 91% effectiveness rate.
If you’ve ever seen a nicotine patch, a birth control patch works in much the same way. You stick it on your skin and it releases a controlled dose of hormones into your bloodstream. You have to apply the patch every week for it to be effective. When used correctly, it has an effectiveness rate of 99%. Typical use lowers that to about 91%
Hormonal IUDs are inserted into the uterus by your gynecologist and release a small amount of progesterone into your system. Hormonal IUDs are great for long-term pregnancy prevention and can last three to seven years depending on the brand. Their effectiveness rate is more than 99% because there is little room for human error.
Non-hormonal birth control methods are often used by women who don’t want to interfere with their body’s natural hormones, or who have experienced negative side effects with hormonal birth control. They are also the best option for preventing STIs as well as pregnancy.
The “barrier method” is also more commonly known as condoms—both internal (female condoms) and external (male condoms). Both types of condoms work by creating an impenetrable barrier between the cervix and the sperm. They have an effectiveness rate of 95-97% when used correctly, but they can break, go bad, or come off with incorrect use, so it’s best to back them up with hormonal birth control options if you can.
The sponge is a squishy, plastic disc coated in spermicide that you insert into your vagina before sex. It blocks access to the cervix and kills any sperm that attempt to enter. It’s 91% effective with perfect use and generally speaking about 80% effective when you take human error into account.
The diaphragm is a flexible, silicone disc that you saturate with spermicide and insert into your vagina. It nestles against the cervix and acts as a barrier against sperm entering. When used perfectly it has a 96% effectiveness rate, although generally speaking it’s about 88% effective with human error.
The copper IUD is an intrauterine device much like the hormonal IUD. But instead of releasing hormones to prevent pregnancy, the copper in the device deters sperm, killing them or causing them to swim away from the egg. They are over 99.9% effective.
If you already have very heavy menstrual flows or terrible cramps, this may not be the best choice for you.
If you have questions about the different types of birth control, make an appointment with your gynecologist or contact The Woman’s Center . We’re happy to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced and compassionate OBGYNs.
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By Julie Henne-Reese, Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner
There are many birth control methods to choose from, but they differ in ease of use, cost and effectiveness. Some are available over the counter while others require a prescription or a medical procedure. MPCP offers several products, including birth control pills, implants (Implanon and Nexaplanon) and IUDs (Mirena and Skyla).
The chart below lists some of the most effective birth control methods, with pros and cons for their use. The descriptions are only an overview and do not contain complete information. Talk to your medical provider about these and other methods to determine what works best for you.
Keep in mind, most birth control products don’t prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Your medical provider can advise you on how to stay safe.
Julie Henne-Reese, Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner, is board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center in Family Practice. She sees patients in MPCP’s Queenstown office .
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This information is being provided for educational purposes only. It is not to be construed as medical advice. You should contact your primary care provider if you have any questions or concerns about this information.
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