A Teenage Girl's Guide to “The Pill” 

Written by Gigi Frankowski

If you're struggling with acne, battling painful periods, or beginning a sexually active lifestyle with fears of pregnancy, taking an oral contraceptive pill might be the solution to all your problems. This article explores the 2 main options for the daily birth control pill with real teenagers' opinions and experiences. 

The Combination Pill:

The combination pill is a daily pill that has both estrogen and progestin. 

The hormones in the pill stop ovulation so there is no egg for a sperm to fertilize. Depending on the type/brand of pill, periods can be shorter, remain the same, or disappear completely. Despite having some side effects most go away within the first few months of use.

The Progestin Pill: 

The progestin pill, also known as the mini pill, is another option for a daily oral contraceptive. For the progestin pill to work effectively it must be taken at the same time of day (within 3 hours) everyday. If you forget to take it, backup birth control is needed. A type of progestin pill called O-pill serves as an over the counter option. While most birth control is prescribed, O-pill can be purchased (around $20 ) without a prescription at a lot of drugstores.

Pros: 

✔Very effective (99% with perfect use and 93% typical use)

✔No insertion, just a daily pill- it’s easy to start and easy to stop!

✔Can help with periods and acne

Cons: 

✘ Does not protect against STIs 

✘ Not a good option if you aren’t able to regularly take the pill

✘ Possible hormonal side effects: tender breasts, spotting (irregular bleeding), and headaches

If you’re interested in starting the pill, bring it up at your next doctor’s appointment. They’ll let you know about a ton of different options, and can help you address the underlying reason why you want to start- whether it’s for birth control, period control, or something else. They can walk you through whether the pill is right for you. Your doctor will also be able to introduce you to different brands of the pill since some pills work better for you than others!

Sources:

Planned Parenthood: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/birth-control-pill

The Bedsider: 

https://www.bedsider.org/birth-control/the_pill