Choosing a Choosing a birth control method is one of the most important decisions you can make, and today you have many options. Before making a decision, you need to know the facts about each option and talk with your healthcare professional about which method is right for you. The following provides information about the most popular form of reversible birth control in the United States -- "the Pill". Selecting a birth control method is one of the most important decisions you can make, and today you have many options. Before making a decision, you need to know the facts about each option and talk with your healthcare professional about which method is right for you. The following provides information about the most popular form of reversible birth control in the United States -- "the Pill".

The birth control pill, which must be prescribed by a healthcare professional, is a small tablet taken orally for either 21 or 28 days. It releases synthetic hormones that enter the bloodstream, preventing the release of eggs from the ovaries. Every woman's cycle is different, and so are her needs for a birth control pill.

There are two types of birth control pills - combination pills and progestin-only pills. Combination pills contain two types of hormones - estrogen and progestin. Progestin-only pills contain only a progestin.

The Pill is available in varying doses and types of hormones. Generally, all combination pills have the same type of estrogen but have different types of progestin. You should talk to your healthcare professional about the type of progestin that is right for you.

Millions of American women choose the birth control pill as their preferred form of contraception, making it the most popular form of reversible birth control. In fact, eight out of 10 women have used the Pill at some time in their lives. But, despite its popularity and 40 years of use, many women still believe several myths about the Pill.

All Birth Control Pills are Not the Same

Combination birth control pills contain two types of hormones, estrogen and progestin. Most of the currently available birth control pills contain the same estrogen, ethinyl estradiol, but differ in the type of progestin.

The progestin in some birth control pills may cause unpleasant effects such as fluid retention, breast swelling and tenderness and acne. However, not all progestins trigger these effects to the same degree, making it important for a woman to pay close attention to the type of progestin in her birth control pill. For example, norgestimate, a newer progestin contained in ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN® (norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol) Tablets, may be less likely to cause unpleasant side effects among its users.

Birth Control Pills Control Acne

ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN is clinically proven and FDA approved to improve moderate acne and help maintain clearer skin. In clinical studies, nearly nine out of 10 women who took ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN showed improvements in their skin. ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN works by lowering the levels of serum free testosterone, the hormone that contributes to acne breakout. By reducing the amount of this hormone, it may help your skin look better even as it prevents pregnancy.

ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN is indicated for the prevention of pregnancy and for the treatment of moderate acne in females 15 years of age or older, who have no known contraindications to oral contraceptive therapy, desire contraception, have achieved menstruation and are unresponsive to topical anti-acne medications.

Oral Contraceptives Are Not For Everybody

Most side effects of the pill are not serious. And those that are, occur infrequently. Serious risks, which can be life threatening, include blood clots, stroke, and heart attacks, and are increased if you smoke cigarettes. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects, especially if you're over 35. Women who use oral contraceptives are strongly advised not to smoke. Some studies have reported an increase in the risk of developing breast cancer among women who use oral contraceptives. However, the majority of studies have found no overall increase in this risk. You should talk to your doctor or healthcare professional about how this risk relates to your use of the pill. Some women should not use the pill, including women who have blood clots, certain cancers, a history of heart attack or stroke, as well as those who are or may be pregnant.

The pill does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases.

How Ortho Tri-Cyclen Works

Just like your natural levels of hormones vary throughout your cycle, so do the hormonal doses in ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN, delivering three levels instead of just one. So you get the right amount of hormones throughout your cycle to prevent pregnancy - with a low dose.

As you go through your normal cycle, every 28 days or so, the pituitary gland releases hormones that signal the ovaries to prepare an egg and send it to the uterus-to be fertilized.

However, when you take ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN, which contains two types of hormones (norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol), it inhibits this process from occurring and, as a result, no egg is released. It also thickens the cervical mucus, making it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus. So it's easy for you to prevent pregnancy.

Taking medicine responsibly means more than simply swallowing a pill or applying a cream on your skin. Prescription medicines provide many health benefits, but they are not risk-free. Using medications safely is largely a matter of common sense and caution. With proper use, you can ensure that you get the medicine's full benefits, avoid potential problems, and reduce your chances of having side effects. Your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare professionals can help you better understand the benefits and risks about the medicines you are taking.

Click here to go to www.prescriptionforsafety.com, a guide that will help you establish a better dialogue with your physician, and provide you with some valuable information to make sure you use medications safely ... and effectively.

Please click here to see the full US prescribing information for ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN® (norgestimate/ethinyl estradiol) Tablets. This document is in Adobe Acrobat form.

Birth Control Guide from the FDA

Efficacy rates in this chart are based on Contraceptive Technology. They are the annual estimates of effectiveness in typical use, which refers to a method's reliability in real life, when people don't always use a method properly. For comparison, about 85 percent of sexually active women using no contraception would be expected to become pregnant in a year.

This chart is a summary; it is not intended to be used alone. All product labeling should be followed carefully, and a healthcare professional should be consulted for some methods.

The following information comes directly from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) research website, so it is well-established information you can trust.

BIRTH CONTROL
COMPARISON OF EFFECTIVENESS

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