 Very
safe and effective when used consistently and correctly
- Many non-contraceptive health benefits
- Rapid return to fertility
- Use independent of sexual intercourse
- Can be used without partner’s knowledge
- Usually requires visit to clinic or other trained
provider
- No STI protection
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There are two types of oral contraceptive pills. Combined oral
contraceptives, or COCs, contain both estrogen and progestin.
The other type of pills is progestin-only pills, or POPs. COCs
are by far the most commonly used worldwide, and most information
available regarding oral contraceptives and youth pertain to
the combined pills. COCs are the best type of pill for young
women, except for those who are breastfeeding, when estrogen
might affect lacatation.
Oral contraceptives are very safe for young women. They have
no long-term effect on ovarian function or growth, and no age-related
complications or side effects have been recorded. They are very
effective at preventing pregnancy when used consistently and
correctly. In perfect use, COCs have a pregnancy rate of less
than 1 percent, but in typical use, the rate is about 8 percent.
Oral contraceptives also provide non-contraceptive health benefits,
such as improving acne, regulating menstrual cycles, decreasing
menstrual cramps, and protecting against ectopic pregnancy,
benign breast disease, ovarian and endometrial cancer, and some
forms of pelvic inflammatory disease. Once a woman stops taking
the pill, fertility returns quickly, which could be important
to young women who want to become pregnant.
With the pill, young women gain more control over their fertility,
since taking the pill is independent of sexual intercourse,
and it can be used without a male partner's knowledge or cooperation.
However, young women using this method without parental knowledge
or support may worry that their parents or other household members
will discover the pill packs.
In many countries oral contraceptives are only available through
a clinic visit. In other countries they may be distributed by
trained providers through community-based programs or sold in
pharmacies without a prescription. Oral contraceptives do not
offer any protection against the transmission of STIs.
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