Birth control pills (also called oral contraceptive pills and the “Pill”) are a type of female hormonal birth control method and are very effective at preventing pregnancy. The Pills are small tablets that you swallow each day. Most pills contain two types of synthetic (artificial) female hormones: estrogen and progestin. These are similar to the estrogen and progesterone normally made by the ovaries. These pills are called “combination oral contraceptives,” and there are many different kinds.

The hormones in the pills prevent pregnancy by suppressing the pituitary gland, which stops the development and release of the egg in the ovary (ovulation) (see female reproductive anatomy image below). The progestin also helps to prevent the sperm from reaching the egg and thins the lining of the uterus.

Another type of pill contains only one hormone (progestin) and is called either the “progestin-only pill,” or the “mini-Pill.” It works to thin the lining of the uterus and helps prevent the male’s sperm from reaching the egg.

Which birth control pill should I take?

First, talk with your health care provider to see if birth control pills are right for you. If they are, discuss which pill and what dosage is best for you.

The combined pill with both estrogen and progestin may be slightly more effective than the progestin-only pill. However, some people can’t take or tolerate estrogen, so it’s better for them to take the progestin-only pill.

How effective is the Pill at preventing pregnancy?

The Pill is very effective if you take it exactly as you are supposed to – one pill a day, taken at the same time each day. You should also use back-up contraception such as condoms if you have diarrhea or vomiting, or are taking a medication that could change the effectiveness of the birth control pill. Using condoms is always important to decrease your chances of getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Out of 100 women using Combination or Progestin Only BCP’s
Typical Use: 9 People Become Pregnant
Perfect Use: 1 or Less People Become Pregnant

If you take the Pill at the same time every day (perfect use), it’s more than 99% effective. This means that if 100 people take the combination pill every day, less than 1 person will become pregnant in a year.

Although it’s obvious that the Pill is most effective against pregnancy when it’s taken at the same time every day, perfect use can be difficult for both teens and adults. That’s why it’s often considered 91% effective. This means that if 100 teens use the Pill, but don’t take it perfectly, 9 or more teens will become pregnant in a year.

What are the possible side effects of birth control pills?

The majority of teens have no side effects when taking the oral contraceptive pill. However, it’s possible to have irregular periods, nausea, headaches, or weight change especially during the first few months. Each type of oral contraceptive pill can affect each person differently.

• Irregular periods: Spotting (you don’t need to use a regular pad, just a panty shield) or very light bleeding may occur during the first several weeks of starting the Pill, or if you miss a pill. If the bleeding becomes heavier or lasts more than a few days or the bleeding happens after you have been on the pill for a few months, keep taking the pill and talk with your health care provider.
• Nausea: Nausea occasionally occurs when you first start taking the Pill and will often go away in a few days. It is less likely to occur if the Pill is taken after dinner or with a bedtime snack.
• Headaches: Headaches may occur because of stress at school or home, too little sleep, sinus infections, or migraines. The Pill can make headaches better or worse. If your health care provider thinks your headaches are related to the Pill, they may prescribe an oral contraceptive pill with a lower amount of estrogen or have you go off the Pill for a short time. If you have migraine headaches, talk to your health care provider about whether the Pill is right for you.
• Mood changes: Feeling up and down emotionally can sometimes happen to anyone and is unlikely to be caused by the Pill. Exercise and a healthy diet may help, along with talking to a counselor. Make sure you let your health care provider know how you are feeling.
• Sore or enlarged breasts: Very occasionally, your breasts may become tender and/or get larger, but usually your breasts will stay the same. Breast tenderness usually goes away after a few months. If you still have problems, talk to your health care provider and see if you need to be on a pill with less estrogen.
• Weight change: Some teens gain weight and some teens lose weight while on the Pill, but most stay the same. Try to remember to watch your portion sizes, avoid fast food, and eat 5-13 servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Drink lots of water and don’t forget to exercise! Just in case you were wondering, there are no calories in the Pill.

If side effects occur, they’re usually mild and go away in the first three to four months of taking the birth control pill. If you do have side effects, talk with your health care provider. If the side effects are uncomfortable or if they don’t go away, your health care provider may switch you to a different kind of birth control pill or a different method.

Are there any serious side effects of birth control pills that I should be worried about?

Most teens who take birth control pills have few or no problems. If you do have any of the following problems, call your health care provider right away.

Remember: ACHES

• Abdominal or stomach pain (severe)
• Chest pain (severe), cough, shortness of breath
• Headache (severe), dizziness, weakness, or numbness
• Eye problems (vision loss or blurring), speech problems
• Severe leg pain (calf or thigh)

Blood clots: A blood clot in your leg or lung is a very rare but serious side effect. If you suddenly have pain or swelling in your leg and/or shortness of breath and/or chest pain, see your health care provider right away or go to the emergency room. If you have a history of blood clots, you should not take the Pill. Tell your health care provider if anyone in your family (blood relative) has ever had blood clots, especially when they were young. The Pill increases the relative risk of blood clots by three to fourfold, but the risk of blood clots is still far less than with pregnancy. Blood clots are more likely to develop if you’re also a smoker, overweight, having surgery, or sitting on a plane for a long time. To lessen your chances of blood clots, don’t smoke, and if you’re on a long plane trip, get up, walk around, and drink lots of water. If you do smoke, it is important that your doctor knows about your smoking before you start the pill. If you’re scheduled for surgery, and won’t be able to move around much after surgery, your healthcare provider may recommend you to stop the Pill for 3-4 weeks before surgery and after the surgery until you are walking around normally.

Health Benefits

Teens are frequently prescribed birth control pills just for the medical benefits. BCPs are a safe and effective treatment for many types of medical problems, including PCOS, irregular menstrual periods, menstrual cramps, acne, PMS, and endometriosis.

Are there any medical benefits with taking birth control pills?

Birth control pills not only prevent pregnancy, but they also have medical benefits. Many teens take the birth control pill just for its medical benefits and not for its protection against pregnancy.

• Regular and lighter periods: Oral contraceptive pills can help to regulate the menstrual cycle so your period comes about every 28 days. The Pill usually causes lighter periods too. You may only have a brown smudge on a tampon, pad, panty shield or underwear. The hormone doses in BCPs are very low. When you are taking the birth control pill, the lining of your uterus doesn’t become very thick so very little blood needs to come out each month. For the extended cycle pills, you might have a period every 3 months or even less.
• Clearer skin: Birth control pills can improve acne. The hormones in most types of BCPs can help stop certain acne from forming. Be patient though, as it can take a few months to see an improvement.
• Fewer cramps, or no cramps: Birth control pills can help to decrease menstrual cramps.
• Other medical benefits: Because there’s less menstrual bleeding with the use of birth control pills, teens taking the pill are less likely to become anemic (have too few red blood cells). Birth control pills also lessen your chance of getting endometrial (lining of the uterus) cancer, ovarian cancer, and ovarian cysts. BCPs also protect against pregnancies that occur outside the uterus (tubal or ectopic pregnancies).

Can anybody take birth control pills?

Almost all teens can take birth control pills. There are only a few reasons why your health care provider might feel that you need to choose other methods of birth control. These reasons are called “contraindications.”

Contraindications for taking combined birth control pills include:

• You have a genetic condition(s) that increases your risk of blood clots or a history of blood clots.
• Migraine headaches with aura (spots and wavy flashing lights or trouble seeing that occur 5 to 30 minutes before the headache starts), or neurological symptoms (numbness, loss of speech)
• Certain kinds of heart disease
• High blood pressure that is not controlled with medication
• Surgery or any other condition that prevents you from moving or getting up and walking (immobilized)

The most common pill packs come with 21 active hormone pills and seven placebo pills, but some packs have 23, 24, 26, or even 28 active pills. The example shown below is for a 28-day pill pack in which you take 21 active hormone pills, and then seven placebo pills that contain no active hormones. These last seven pills are just “reminder” pills in most pill brands. They are taken during the fourth week, including during your period. With packages that have 24 active pills, the last 4 are “reminder” pills or 7 with lower amounts of hormones. Your health care provider will tell you whether you will be taking the active pills continuously or in cycles as shown below.

1. To take the Pill, follow the instructions on the package. Your health care provider will explain how to use your pill pack. You will be told to start taking the birth control pill on a Sunday, on the first day of your menstrual period, or the day you are seen by your health care provider.
2. You should take one pill each day, at the same exact atime of day until you finish the pack. Take the Pill when you are doing something regularly so you don’t forget. For example, you could keep your pill pack near your toothbrush, or set your cell phone alarm as a reminder. The best time to take the Pill is ½ an hour after a complete meal such as dinner or at bedtime. You may have slight nausea the first month, but this usually goes away with time. Some people who take the Pill first thing in the morning find that they are more likely to have nausea, especially if they skip breakfast, so taking the pill at dinnertime may help.
3. After completing a 28-day pack, you should immediately start a new pack of pills the next day. During your fourth week on the pill cycle, you should get your menstrual period. Your menstrual period will stop once you begin the new pack of pills.

Can I take more than 21 days of birth control pills in a row?

Some teens prefer to take 42 pills (2 packages of pills), 63 pills, or even continuous pills because of cramps, PMS, or convenience. In fact, there is a type of birth control pill that comes in a package with 84 pills and 7 reminder pills, and another with 84 pills and then 7 low dose estrogen pills. Talk to your health care provider about whether extended Pill taking makes sense for you.

Extended pill taking works best with monophasic Pills (all one dose, all one color). The downside is that irregular periods or unexpected spotting may occur and some insurance companies may not allow the extra packages without a medical reason.

What if I forget to take one or more combined birth control pills?

Combined birth control pill packs of 28 pills contain 3 weeks of active hormone pills and 1 week of inactive or “reminder” pills.

If you miss 1 active pill:

• Take the pill as soon as you remember and then continue taking the rest of your pills at the usual time each day.
• You may take 2 pills on the same day (one at the moment you remember and the other at the regular time). It’s also okay to take 2 pills at the same time.

If you miss 2 or more active pills in a row:

• Take the most recently missed Pill as soon as possible.
• Throw away the other missed pills.
• Continue taking the rest of your pills at the usual time each day.
• You may take 2 pills on the same day (one at the moment you remember and the other at the regular time).
• If you missed the active pills in the third week or row (days 15-21 for the 28 day pill pack), throw the inactive pills away and finish taking the active hormone pills.
• Then start a new pack right away.
• If you are sexually active and missed 2 pills, don’t have sex or use condoms every time you do have sex, until you’ve taken active (hormone) pills for at least 7 days in a row.
• Talk to your health care provider about whether you should use emergency contraception (EC), especially if you missed pills during the first week your pill pack, or had unprotected sex in the past 5 days.

What if I forget to take one or more progestin-only birth control pills or “mini pills”?

• If you forget even one progestin-only Pill or are even 3 hours late, take it as soon as you remember and use condoms (or another backup method of protection) for at least 2 days.
• Take the next pill at the usual time (you might take two pills in one day.)
• Continue to take the rest of the pills in the pack as you normally would–at the same time each day! Start the next pack on time. If you have been sexually active within the past 5 days, ask your health care provider if you should take emergency contraception.

Teens and young adults are often prescribed birth control pills for irregular or absent menstrual periods, menstrual cramps, acne, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), endometriosis, primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Teens who are diagnosed with PCOS are often prescribed oral contraceptives to lower their hormone levels and regulate their menstrual periods.

Birth control pills (sometimes called “the Pill,” oral contraceptive pills, or hormonal pills) contain one or two types of synthetic (artificial) female hormones, estrogen and/or progestin. Similar hormones are normally made by the ovaries. There are many different types of oral contraceptive pills.

What kinds of medical conditions can be helped with birth control pills?

Birth control pills are used to treat many different conditions including:

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): is a hormonal imbalance, which can cause irregular menstrual periods, acne, and excess hair growth. For girls whose menstrual periods are irregular (too few or not at all), birth control pills work by lowering certain hormone levels to regulate menstrual periods. When hormones are at normal levels, acne and hair growth often improve.

Endometriosis: Most teens with endometriosis have cramps or pelvic pain during their menstrual cycle. Birth control pills are often prescribed continuously to treat endometriosis and work by temporarily pausing periods. Since periods can cause pain for teens with endometriosis, stopping periods will usually improve cramps and pelvic pain.

Lack of periods (“amenorrhea”) from low weight, stress, or excessive exercise: Birth control pills may be prescribed to replace estrogen, which helps to regulate the menstrual cycle. Normal estrogen levels and healthy weight are important for healthy bones. If lack of periods is caused by low weight or an eating disorder, the best treatment is weight gain to a normal healthy weight and counseling to address body image and health.

Painful Periods (“Dysmenorrhea”): When over-the-counter medications don’t help with severe cramps, birth control pills may be the solution because they prevent ovulation and lighten periods.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS): Symptoms of PMS such as mood swings, breast soreness, weight gain, bloating, and acne, can occur up to 2 weeks before a teen’s period. Birth control pills may be prescribed to stop ovulation and keep hormone levels balanced. Symptoms may improve, particularly when oral contraceptive pills are prescribed continuously.

Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI): Birth control pills may be prescribed to teens who have ovaries that don’t make enough estrogen because of radiation and/or chemotherapy, a genetic condition such as Turner Syndrome, or other conditions. The goal of this treatment is to regulate the menstrual cycle and help keep bones healthy.

Heavy Menstrual Periods: Birth control pills can reduce the amount and length of menstrual bleeding.

Acne: For moderate to severe acne, which over-the-counter and prescription medications haven’t cured, birth control pills may be prescribed. The hormones in the Pill can help stop acne from forming. Be patient though, since it can take several months before you see an improvement with your skin.

Other Medical Benefits

Because there is less menstrual bleeding when taking birth control pills, you are less likely to get a medical condition called anemia (low number of red blood cells, which carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissues). Birth control pills also lower your chance of getting endometrial (lining of the uterus) cancer, ovarian cancer, and ovarian cysts.

What are the side effects of birth control pills?

Most people have no side effects when taking birth control pills, but some women do have irregular periods, nausea, headaches, or bloating. Each type of pill can affect each woman differently.

Spotting or Irregular Periods: Very light bleeding (you just need a panty liner or light day pad) may occur during the first several weeks of taking the Pill and may continue for several cycles, but this is not serious. Irregular bleeding is common if you are late taking your pills or you miss a pill. If the bleeding is new and you are sexually active, get checked for Chlamydia infection. If the bleeding becomes heavier (more than just a very light flow or lasts more than a few days), call your health care provider.

Nausea: Sometimes teens can feel nauseated (feeling like you need to throw up), but the feeling usually goes away if the pill is taken with food or with a bedtime snack. Sometimes a pill with less estrogen is prescribed if the nausea doesn’t go away.

Headaches: Sometimes, teens may complain of headaches when they start taking birth control pills. Most often headaches happen because of stress or other reasons such as skipping meals, not enough sleep, sinus infections, or migraines. If your health care provider thinks your headaches are related to the Pill, they may prescribe a different pill with a lower amount of estrogen or may take you off of it completely and watch to see if headaches get better.

Mood changes: Feeling up and down emotionally can happen to anyone and is unlikely to be caused by the Pill. Exercise and a healthy diet may help, but if they don’t, you should talk with your health care provider and try a different kind of oral contraceptive pill.

Breakouts: Usually the pill helps cure acne, but a few teens feel they get acne from certain kinds of birth control pill.

Sore or enlarged breasts: Your breasts may become tender or may get larger. Usually the symptoms go away in a couple of months; if not, talk to your primary care provider about a lower dose pill.

Weight: Some teens gain weight and some teens lose weight while taking birth control pills, but most teens stay exactly the same weight. Many times a teen thinks they have gained 5-10 pounds, but when their weight is actually checked, there is no change. If you think you may have gained weight while taking the Pill, talk to your health care provider. Try to remember to watch your portion sizes and eat 5-7 servings of fruits and veggies each day and don’t forget to exercise. Your appetite may increase or stay the same.

Side effects usually go away in the first three to four cycles (months). If you do have side effects, you should talk to your health care provider. If the side effects are very uncomfortable or if they don’t go away after three cycles, your health care provider may switch you to a different pill.

Are there any risks with birth control pills?

Most teens who take birth control pills have few or no problems. However, birth control pills with estrogen may cause a slight increase in the risk of developing blood clots in the legs, eyes, and lungs. If you develop any of the following problems, go to the closest emergency room:

Remember: ACHES

• Abdominal or stomach pain (severe)
• Chest pain (severe), cough, shortness of breath
• Headache (severe), dizziness, weakness, or numbness
• Eye problems (vision loss or blurring), speech problems
• Severe leg pain (calf or thigh)

What if I forget to take one or more birth control pills?

• If you miss 1 active Pill:

• Take the pill as soon as you remember and then continue taking your pills at the usual time each day.
• You may take 2 pills on the same day (one at the moment you remember and the other at the regular time) or even 2 at the same time.

• If you miss 2 or more active pills in a row:

• Take the most recently missed Pill as soon as possible.
• Throw away the other missed pills.
• Continue taking the rest of your pills at the usual time each day.
• You may take 2 pills on the same day (one at the moment you remember and the other at the scheduled time).

• If you missed the active pills in the third week or row (days 15-21 for the 28 day pill pack), throw the inactive pills away and finish taking the active hormone pills.
• Then start a new pack right away.
• If you are sexually active and missed 2 pills, don’t have sex or if you do have sex use condoms every time until you’ve taken active (hormone) pills for 7 days in a row.
• Talk to your health care provider about whether you should use emergency contraception (EC), especially if you missed pills the first week of your pill pack, or had unprotected sex the past 5 days.

What if my period is very light while I’m taking birth control pills?

Your period may be so light when you are taking birth control pills that you may have only a brown smudge on a tampon, pad, panty shield or underwear. The hormone doses in birth control pills are very low. This means that the lining of your uterus doesn’t become very thick so very little blood needs to come out each month.

What if I am also using birth control pills to prevent pregnancy?

If you take birth control pills for a medical reason, you’re also protected from getting pregnant. The Pill, however, does not protect you against sexually transmitted infections. ALWAYS use protection against STI’s such as condoms or dental dams when having sexual intercourse..

Are there different kinds of birth control pills?

Yes. There are many different kinds of birth control pills (there are different doses of hormones in different hormonal pills). Your health care provider may prescribe a progestin-only pill (if there’s a medical reason why you shouldn’t take estrogen). If you don’t have any medical problems that would put you at risk for medical complications, your health care provider (HCP) will decide which birth control pill is the best one for you.

What if I’m not happy with the birth control pill that I’m taking?

If you’re not happy with the birth control pill that you are taking and the effects they have on you, talk to your health care provider. Don’t just give up and stop taking them. Your provider can ask you questions about what you have noticed and help you decide if the symptoms could be related to the pill you are taking. You may need to get used to the pill over a few more months or try a different type of pill. Hormone pills affect people differently. Some you may like, and others you won’t. You may have to try a few different kinds of birth control pills before you find the one that is best for you. There are also lots of other methods to prevent pregnancy, so you can talk to your provider about other options.

How long can I be on birth control pills?

As long as there is no medical reason to not take the Pill, you can stay on them for years, whether it is to regulate their menstrual cycle, treat cramps, protect against pregnancy, or for hormone replacement therapy.

Do I need to use other forms of contraception with the Pill?

Birth control pills don’t protect people from getting sexually transmitted infections. It’s very important to use condoms every time you have sexual intercourse or when using a sex toy. Avoid lambskin or natural condoms as they are not as effective as latex or polyurethane condoms at protecting against sexually transmitted infections. Condoms are also an important second method of protection against pregnancy if you have just started the birth control pill or you miss a pill, especially during the first month of pills (to be extra safe), when you are taking other medications that change the effectiveness of the Pill, or when you are sick with diarrhea or vomiting. Anytime you get a new medication, ask your health care provider if it changes the effectiveness of the birth control pill.

Do I need to take a break from the Pill?

There is no medical reason that you need to take a “break” from the Pill.

Will I have trouble getting pregnant after using the birth control pill?

There is no change in fertility with the use of birth control pills. However, if your periods were irregular before you started taking the Pill, it’s likely that your periods will be irregular again when you stop taking it.

Does the birth control pill cause birth defects to an unborn baby?

No, the Pill does not cause birth defects nor does it affect the health of future children.

Does the birth control pill cause cancer?

No. The Pill actually protects against cancer of the ovaries and cancer of the lining of the uterus. A teen is half as likely to get cancer of the uterus or ovaries if they take the Pill. Most experts believe that taking oral contraceptive pills does not cause an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Even teens with a family history of breast cancer can take the Pill. Users of the Pill have been shown to potentially have an increased risk of cervical cancer (the cervix is the lower part of the uterus), as compared to nonusers, but cervical cancer is caused by the HPV virus, so you should get the HPV vaccine and use condoms every time you have sex. Smoking increases the risk for cervical cancer, so quit smoking (or don’t start) to keep your body healthy.

Can I smoke if I’m taking the Pill?

For lots of reasons, it is not recommended that you smoke and use the Pill, especially if you are over age 35. Smoking and taking the Pill can increase your risk for heart disease, blood clots, and stroke. The more you smoke and the older you are, the higher the risk. So ask your health care provider how to quit smoking or better yet never start!

Could I develop a blood clot by taking the Pill?

A blood clot in your leg or lung is a very rare but serious side effect. If you suddenly have pain or swelling in your leg and/or shortness of breath and/or chest pain, see your health care provider right away or go to the emergency room. If you have a history of blood clots, you should not take the Pill. Tell your health care provider if anyone in your family (blood relative) has ever had blood clots, especially when they were young. The Pill increases the relative risk of blood clots by three to fourfold, but the risk is still far less than with pregnancy. Blood clots are more likely to develop if you’re also a smoker, overweight, having surgery, or sitting on a plane for a long time. To lessen your chances of blood clots, don’t smoke, and if you’re on a long plane trip, get up, walk around, and drink lots of water. If you do smoke, it is important that your doctor knows about your smoking before you start the pill. If you’re scheduled for surgery, and won’t be able to move around much after surgery, your health care provider may recommend stopping the Pill for 3-4 weeks before surgery and after the surgery until you are walking around normally.

Do birth control pills protect against STIs?

Birth control pills do NOT protect you from sexually transmitted infections. Not have sex (abstinence) is the only 100% effective way to avoid STIs. Condoms help to prevent most sexually transmitted infections.

What if I forget to take my birth control pill(s) and I’m sexually active?

Talk to your health care provider. Emergency contraception (EC) is usually recommended if you’ve had unprotected intercourse during the time you have missed your birth control pills. In the United States, people of all ages can buy one of the options for EC without a prescription.

Does it mean I’m pregnant if I don’t get my menstrual period while I’m on the Pill?

Not usually. At times, you may not get your menstrual period while using birth control pills. This can be normal. If you miss one menstrual period and you have not missed any pills, everything is probably fine. Just start a new pack of pills at the usual time. But if you are concerned, or skip 2 periods in a row, you’re still probably fine, but check with your health care provider and get a pregnancy test. If you miss any pills and miss your period, keep taking your pills, but see your health care provider for a pregnancy test.

Should I tell my friends that I’m taking birth control pills?

It depends. You may or may not want to tell your friends that you are taking birth control pills. Even if you’re taking birth control pills as hormonal treatment for a medical condition, someone hearing that you are taking “the Pill” may assume it’s because you are having sex. However, you may want to share with your friends so they can help you with ideas on how to avoid missing pills. Just think about what’s best for you.

How do I talk to my parents about taking the Pill?

If you decide to tell your parent(s) that you are taking birth control pills, you’ll want to put some thought into how to tell them. They may assume you are sexually active which may cause them to ask you questions that might make you feel uncomfortable at first. However, at the same time it’s a good idea to have a calm and open conversation as they can be a good resource for you if you have any questions or concerns about the Pill. Talk about the benefits of the Pill as well as their concerns. If your parent(s) or guardian(s) have questions, tell them about our Parent’s guide to birth control pills.

Where can I get birth control pills?

You can get a prescription for birth control pills from your health care provider or a family planning clinic, Birth control pills are used for bad cramps, irregular periods, and contraception Your health care provider will check your blood pressure and weight, ask you about your medical history and your family’s medical history, and ask whether you smoke. If you don’t have any medical issues that would make taking birth control pills a problem, your health care provider will probably write you a prescription right then. Once you have a prescription, you can buy birth control pills at a pharmacy or by mail order depending on your insurance plan. In some countries, birth control pills don’t require a prescription and can be purchased over the counter, Your birth control pill may be free if you have health insurance. It’s normal to have a follow-up visit after you have been on the Pill for 3 months to check your weight and blood pressure. Make sure that you make an appointment long before you run out of pills so you never miss any.

Fact or fiction?

Have you heard that if you have intercourse during your menstrual period, you won’t get pregnant?

This isn’t true. If you have longer than usual menstrual bleeding and a short cycle between periods or you bleed in midcycle when you are actually ovulating, you can get pregnant. This means that you can still get pregnant during your period.

Have you heard that if you stand up immediately after having sex, you won’t get pregnant?

This is definitely not true! Standing, sitting, lying down—no physical position can prevent pregnancy.

Have you heard that the first time you have sex, you can’t get pregnant?

Not true! No matter when or how many times you have sex, you still run the risk of getting pregnant.