Oral contraceptives, abbreviated OCPs, also known as birth control pills, are

medication Medication (also called medicament, medicine, pharmaceutical drug, medicinal product, medicinal drug or simply drug) is a drug used to medical diagnosis, diagnose, cure, treat, or preventive medicine, prevent disease. Drug therapy (pharmaco ...

s taken by mouth for the purpose of

birth control Birth control, also known as contraception, anticonception, and fertility control, is the use of methods or devices to prevent pregnancy. Birth control has been used since ancient times, but effective and safe methods of birth control only be ...

. The introduction of the

birth control pill The combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP), often referred to as the birth control pill or colloquially as "the pill", is a type of birth control that is designed to be taken orally by women. It is the oral form of combined hormonal contra ...

("the Pill") in 1960 revolutionized the options for contraception, sparking vibrant discussion in the scientific and social science literature and in the media. Much attention focused on issues of

women's rights Women's rights are the rights and Entitlement (fair division), entitlements claimed for women and girls worldwide. They formed the basis for the women's rights movement in the 19th century and the feminist movements during the 20th and 21st c ...

, including ethics and personal choice. But these medications also introduced new questions about risk.

Female

Two types of female oral contraceptive pill, taken once per day, are widely available: * The

combined oral contraceptive pill The combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP), often referred to as the birth control pill or colloquially as "the pill", is a type of birth control that is designed to be Oral administration, taken orally by women. It is the oral form of combi ...

contains

estrogen Estrogen (also spelled oestrogen in British English; see spelling differences) is a category of sex hormone responsible for the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics. There are three ...

and a

progestin A progestogen, also referred to as a progestagen, gestagen, or gestogen, is a type of medication which produces effects similar to those of the natural female sex hormone progesterone in the body. A progestin is a '' synthetic'' progestogen. ...

; colloquially known as "the Pill". * The progestogen-only pill, colloquially known as "minipill". For perfect use it is 99% effective and typical use is 91% effective. Side effects of the pill include headache, dizziness, nausea, sore breasts, spotting, mood changes, acne, bloating, etc. One pill offers the benefit of only having to be taken once a week: * Ormeloxifene, a

selective estrogen receptor modulator Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), also known as estrogen receptor agonists/antagonists (ERAAs), are a class of drugs that act on estrogen receptors (ERs). Compared to pure ER agonists–antagonists (e.g., full agonists and silent ...

Emergency contraception Emergency contraception (EC) is a birth control measure, used after sexual intercourse to prevent pregnancy. There are different forms of EC. Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs), sometimes simply referred to as emergency contraceptives (ECs), ...

pills ("morning after pills") are taken at the time of intercourse, or within a few days afterwards: *

Levonorgestrel Levonorgestrel is a hormonal medication used in a number of birth control methods. It is combined with an estrogen to make combination birth control pills. As an emergency birth control, sold under the brand names Plan B One-Step and Julie, ...

, sold under the brand name ''Plan B'' *

Ulipristal acetate Ulipristal acetate, sold under the brand name Ella among others, is a medication used for emergency contraception (birth control) and uterine fibroids. As emergency contraception it should be used within 120 hours of vaginally penetrating inte ...

Mifepristone Mifepristone, and also known by its developmental code name RU-486, is a drug typically used in combination with misoprostol to bring about a medical abortion during pregnancy. This combination is 97% effective during the first 63 days (9 wee ...

and

misoprostol Misoprostol is a synthetic prostaglandin medication used to prevent and treat stomach and duodenal ulcers, induce labor, cause an abortion, and treat postpartum bleeding due to poor contraction of the uterus. It is taken by mouth when used ...

, when used in combination, are more than 95% effective during the first 50 days of pregnancy. Side-effects: Breast cancer: there are studies showing higher risk of breast cancer among current users of hormonal contraceptives (especially oral contraceptive pills) compare to non-users. This studies also specifically mentioned that it is the Oestrogen that plays the role regarding the development of breast cancer while the role for progestin is still unclear. Stroke: stroke is considered another side-effect for hormonal contraceptives and more importantly oral contraceptives, more importantly in the first year of use. Depression: there are also evidence showing that use of oral contraceptives mainly during the first 2 years will increase that risk of the depression. Although the risk is declining with continuation, there is still higher risk of depression among ever users and non-users of oral contraceptives.

Male

* Male oral contraceptives are not available commercially, although several types are under research and development.

References

{{Authority control Hormonal contraception