Using the Pill

The birth control pill was one of the most important scientific advance of the 20th century. Learn what this method of birth control does and why it remains a popular choice today.

Young woman holding pack of birth control pills

Missed a Birth Control PIll? Here's What to Do

Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD

High Angle View Contraceptive Pill And Purse Over Pink Background

A Look Into Ovarian, Colon, and Breast Cancer Risks From the Pill

Medically reviewed by Meredith Shur, MD

Birth control pills would be hard to access for over half a million women and girls if Planned Parenthood is defunded.

Can You Buy Birth Control Pills Over-The-Counter?

Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD

Girl buying contraceptive pills in a pharmacy

Get Info on How a Woman Can Switch to a New Birth Control Pill

Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD

Young woman holding birth control pills

Can Taking the Birth Control Pill While Pregnant Hurt My Baby?

Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD

Woman holding birth control pills

Can You Get Pregnant If You Miss a Pill?

Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD

how the pill works

How Hormonal Contraception and the Pill Prevent Pregnancy

Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD

Facts About the Pill

Five Must Known Facts Before You Start Taking The Pill

Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD

Types of Birth Control Pills

How Do You Choose Between Multiphasic vs. Monophasic Birth Control?

Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD

Contraceptive pill

Birth Control Pills and High Blood Pressure

Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD

Woman holding birth control pills

Do You Ovulate on the Pill?

Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD

A young woman holding her birth control on her lap

The Pill Has More Health Benefits Than Just a Contraceptive

Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Molina Ortiz, MD, MPH

Woman holding birth control pills

Learn the Benefits, Risks, and Side Effects of the Birth Control Pill

Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD

overweight woman with birth control pills

Does Weight Reduce the Effectiveness of the Pill?

Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD

Oral contraceptive pill on pharmacy counter.

If You Take The Pill, Are You at Risk for IBD?

Medically reviewed by Priyanka Chugh, MD

Using the Pill to Skip Your Period

5 Steps to Skipping Your Period With the Pill

Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD

Teenage girl with the Contraceptive Pill

10 Common Myths About the Birth Control Pill

Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD

birth-control pill with date of calendar background, health care and medicine concept

Daylight Saving Time and Your Birth Control Pill

Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD

A woman looking at her birth control pills

Understanding What the Role of Progestin in Birth Control Is

Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD

Assorted contraceptive pills in their packaging

8 Types of Progestin in Combination Birth Control Pills

Medically reviewed by Jessica Shepherd, MD

Woman holding contraceptive pills

Does It Really Matter When You Take Your Pill?

Medically reviewed by Monique Rainford, MD

Woman taking birth control pill

Possible Side Effects of the Pill

Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD

Woman holding up birth control

Here Is a Look at the Overall Effectiveness of the Birth Control Pill

Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD

Birth Control Pills

What to Do If You Forgot to Take Your Birth Control Pill

Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD

Birth Control Pills

Birth Control Pills Allow Women to Not Have a Fear of Pregnancy

Fact checked by Ashley Hall

woman looking at skin in mirror

Why the Pill Is Good for More Than Simply Preventing Pregnancy

Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD