4 facts about the birth control pill

Thousands of years before the advent of "the Pill," men and women were improvising ways — some ineffective, some downright risky — to thwart Mother Nature's intended outcome of sex. Today there are a handful of effective options to choose from, but by far the most popular is the birth control pill. Here are some little known facts about the contraceptive.

IUDs, or intrauterine devices, are more effective than oral contraceptives. More than 80 percent of women use oral contraceptives during their lifetimes. But studies show that due to human blunders (like forgetting to take one of your pills), oral contraceptives are only up to 97 percent effective compared to a 99 percent effectiveness rate for IUDs. Another method, the vaginal ring, which is inserted into the vagina and releases estrogen and progestin to protect against pregnancy, is just as effective as oral contraceptives but provides lower exposure to hormones, more consistent estrogen levels and better control over menstruation.

More than 25,000 studies show that using the pill, for any period of time, has no permanent effects on a woman's menstrual cycle or her ability to have children. Only high-dose pills (which are rarely prescribed today) delay fertility after women stop taking them.

Birth control pills are safe for most women, but they do increase the risk of blood clots among certain groups:

• Smokers
• Women over 35
• Those who are predisposed to clotting.

Several studies show that extended-cycle pills safely and effectively eliminate menstruation. Extended-cycle pills reduce menstrual periods to only four a year. When the pill is used on an extended cycle, the endometrium, or lining of the uterus, becomes very thin. It's not that menstrual blood doesn't exit the body but rather that it doesn't form in the first place. Once the pill is discontinued, the endometrium returns to normal.

The pill remains the most popular contraceptive device for women. Keep these facts in mind when deciding if it is right for you.