Birth control in simple terms means pregnancy prevention, specifically with the use of contraceptives. There are different types of birth control out there and they all work in their own ways. However, most times when people say birth control they mean birth control pills. Healthline defines birth control pills as oral contraceptives that contain small amounts of hormones similar to the ones your body uses as part of the menstrual cycle.
Some Types Of Birth Control
- Birth control implants
- Birth control vaginal ring
- Birth control pill
- Birth control patch
- Birth control shot
- Birth control sponge
- IUD
- Condom
- Cervical cap
- Pull out method
- Tracking your period
- Tying your tubes
- Vasectomy
How Birth Control Pills Work
Birth control pills are pills filled with hormones that you take every day to prevent you from getting pregnant. They work by preventing fertilisation(sperm meeting an egg) from happening. They prevent fertilisation by thickening the cervical mucus which stops the sperm from getting through and the pills also stop ovulation which means, eggs aren’t created. No egg, no fertilizing.
Advantages And Disadvantages
| Advantage | Disadvantage |
| 99% effective if done right | It doesn’t protect you from STIs and STDs |
| It could make your period lighter | You could gain or lose weight |
| If you want to get pregnant, all you have to do is stop taking the pill and you can. | If you miss a pill, even just once, and have sex, you could get pregnant. |
| You can have sex whenever without any prior prepping or extra contraception, if you so wish it. | Tender breasts |