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The '''birth control pill''' (often just ''''the pill'''') is a method of female contraception through release of [[hormone]]s. Most modern birth control pills use a combination of [[estrogen]] and [[progesterone]] to prevent egg release. The usual cycle is 21 days of the hormone treatments followed by 7 days off. It is during this 7 day off period when the [[menstruation]] cycle occurs.<ref>http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/sexual_health/contraception/contraception_birth.html</ref> It is possible for eggs to still release and fertilization to occur, but the hormone combination from the pill prevents the [[ovum]] from attaching to the [[uterus|uterine lining]], and therefore does not allow the normal cycle of [[pregnancy]] to commence.
The '''birth control pill''' (often just ''''the pill'''') is a method of female contraception through release of [[hormone]]s. Most modern birth control pills use a combination of [[estrogen]] and [[progesterone]] to prevent egg release. The usual cycle is 21 days of the hormone treatments followed by 7 days off. It is during this 7 day off period when the [[menstruation]] cycle occurs.<ref>http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/sexual_health/contraception/contraception_birth.html</ref> It is possible for eggs to still release and fertilization to occur, but the hormone combination from the pill prevents the [[ovum]] from attaching to the [[uterus|uterine lining]], and therefore does not allow the normal cycle of [[pregnancy]] to commence.
Use of the pill has been shown to cause [[breast cancer]], the most common cancer in women, increasing the risk by almost 50% according to an analysis of 34 different studies.<ref>http://breastcancer.about.com/b/2006/11/10/birth-control-pill-increases-breast-cancer-risk.htm</ref>
Use of the pill may increase the risk of [[breast cancer]], the most common cancer in women, by 44%, according to an analysis of 34 different studies.<ref>http://breastcancer.about.com/b/2006/11/10/birth-control-pill-increases-breast-cancer-risk.htm</ref> There is also an increased risk of cervical and liver cancer. Additionally, there is a decreased risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer.<ref>http://www.iarc.fr/ENG/Press_Releases/pr167a.html</ref>
There is also an increased risk of cervical and liver cancer. Additionally, there is a decreased risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer. <ref>http://www.iarc.fr/ENG/Press_Releases/pr167a.html</ref>
The pill will not prevent [[STD]]s and is not 100% effective. [[Abstinence]] is the only form of birth control that ensures against pregnancy and STDs.
The pill will not prevent [[STD]]s and is not 100% effective. [[Abstinence]] is the only form of birth control that ensures against pregnancy and STDs.