The Truth About Birth Control Pills

There are lots of myths out there about birth control pills. Here's the truth. Will the pill make you put on a lot of extra pounds? No. Research suggests it has little to no effect on your weight. Will it protect you from STDs? No. Your partner needs to wear a condom every time you have sex to lower your chances of getting a sexually transmitted disease.

Is the pill a form of abortion? No. It only prevents pregnancies. It contains lab made hormones that stop your ovaries from releasing eggs, keep sperm from fertilizing an existing egg, or both. Can you still get pregnant while you're on the pill? Yes. This happens to about 5 to 9 women out of 100 per year. But the pill is around 99% effective, if you use it exactly as prescribed.