Since many years birth control pills are one the most popular and one of the most effective forms of reversible birth control ever invented. More than 18 million women rely on birth control pills, also called oral contraceptives, as their birth control method. Today, women have more than 40 different oral contraceptive products from which to choose. Dissimilar the original oral contraceptives used decades ago, low-dose forms with few health risks are the norm. Today's birth control pills even offer health benefits. Though, the fact that they are safe for most women, pills does carry some health risks too. If someone is over 35 and smoke or have certain medical conditions like a history of blood clots or breast or endometrial cancer, the health care professional may advise against taking pills. Also, birth control pills do not protect from sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

How birth control pills work:

At the start of each menstrual cycle, estrogen levels begin to rise. Estrogen helps thicken the lining of the uterus to prepare for a fertilized egg. Once estrogen levels peak, about 14 days into the menstrual cycle, one of the ovaries releases an egg. This monthly discharge of an egg is called ovulation. After ovulation, progesterone another reproductive hormone begins to rise. Over the next seven days, progesterone prepares the endometrium for a fertilized egg. Birth control pills are a synthetic type of the hormones progesterone and estrogen. They avoid ovulation by maintaining more consistent hormone levels. Without a peak in estrogen, the ovary does not get the signal to release an egg. No egg means and no possibility for fertilization and pregnancy. They also clot cervical mucus so the sperm cannot reach the egg and make the lining of the uterus unreceptive to the implantation of a fertilized egg.

Disadvantages:

1. Pills could cause nausea, vomiting, headaches and spotting, particularly with the first few cycles.

2. It may lead to hypertension.

3. It also may causes blood clots in a small percentage of users.

4. It may contribute to the formation of gallstones and rare benign liver tumors as well.

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