Birth control pill quiz

Birth control pills contain low doses of both estrogen and progestin. One type contains progestin alone. These hormones are similar to the natural hormones that control a woman’s menstrual cycle. By preventing ovulation, thickening the cervical mucus and thinning the uterine lining, these hormones make it nearly impossible for a woman to get pregnant.

When taken correctly, birth control pills are 99 per cent effective in preventing pregnancy. The pill does not protect you against sexually transmitted infections.

The pill does not adversely affect fertility once you stop taking it. However, because a woman’s fertility decreases with age, delaying childbirth by using the pill or any other birth control method can decrease fertility. A woman’s ability to get pregnant starts to decline many years before she reaches menopause.

For birth control pills to be most effective, you should take your pill at the same time each day. There are many types of birth control pills. Most brands come as 21-day or 28-day packs. A 28-day pack contains 21 birth control pills and seven sugar pills, and a new 28-day pack is started as soon as the old one is finished. A 21-day pack contains 21 birth control pills. After taking these 21 pills, wait seven days before starting a new 21-day pack. Read the instructions in the package and follow them carefully.

You can safely take the pill for years without interruption.

The birth control pill does not provide protection against sexually transmitted infections. Other disadvantages are: you need a prescription, you may have side-effects, and you have to take it at the same time every day.

Any one of these things can decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. If any of these things happen when you are taking the pill, you should use another method of birth control as backup for one full week so you don’t get pregnant.

Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) can be obtained over-the-counter at a pharmacy (without a prescription) or at a sexual health clinic. Emergency contraception can be used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse or the failure of another birth control method. ECPs (also called “morning after” pills) can be used up to 120 hours (three to five days) after unprotected sex, but the earlier they are used the better.