Transcript: Oral contraception, more commonly known as “the pill,” is the most popular method of prescription birth control in the United States. It comes in two forms: combination, and progestin-only, which is often referred to as the “mini-pill.” Combination pills contain both estrogen and progestin, two types of hormones similar to those made naturally by a woman’s ovaries. This combination pill works primarily by preventing the ovaries from releasing an egg each month. Some combination pills, like Yas and Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, contain less estrogen for women who feel the effects of the hormone more strongly or those who prefer to take minimal doses. The mini-pill, which only contains progestin, works by thickening a woman’s cervical mucous and thinning the lining of the uterus. It may also suppress ovulation, but not reliably like combination pills.  For this reason, the Mini-Pill is less forgiving than the combination pill and MUST be taken at the same time each day.  To start taking the pill, you must get a prescription from a doctor, who will decide which type and dose is best for you. After getting the prescription filled, a woman should begin taking the pill according to her doctor’s instructions. For maximum efficacy, the pill should be taken at the exact same time every day. Combination pills come in 21 or 28-day packs. Both have 21 hormonally active days of pills, while the last seven days in a 28 pack are simply “reminder” pills, which do NOT contain any hormones. Progestin-only pills come in 28-day packs, every day of which contains hormones. Regardless of the type of combination pill a woman takes, menstruation occurs during the fourth week of her cycle. Women taking combination pills have the option of suppressing a period by skipping the “placebo” week and starting a new pack immediately. Meanwhile, with the progestin-only pill, the periods can be irregular, or even disappear altogether.  The pill is such a popular method of birth control due to its price tag—about $15 U.S. dollars a month—and its high rate of effectiveness—over 99 percent when used perfectly. In addition, the combination pill has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of cancer of the ovaries and uterus.  Other benefits include a reduction in acne, osteoporosis, and premenstrual symptoms. Of course, the pill is not for everyone. It has been shown to slightly increase the risk of a blood clot in the legs, lungs, heart, or brain. For this reason, it is NOT recommended for use by women with a history of blood clots, blood clotting disorders, or uncontrolled high blood pressure. Nor is it recommended for smokers over the age of 35. In addition, women over 180 pounds, or who have a body mass index above 30, and those who take certain medications like St. John’s Wort, may find the pill less effective. If you are taking oral contraceptives, remember that your birth control does NOT protect against sexually transmitted diseases, so you will want to use a condom as back-up. The pill is a very effective method of preventing an unwanted pregnancy, but it is not for everyone. Women that may have trouble remembering to take contraception should explore other methods.