Birth control pill
The birth control pill (often just 'the pill') is a method of female contraception through release of hormones. 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.[1] 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 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, increasing the risk by almost 50% according to an analysis of 34 different studies.[2] There is also an increased risk of cervical and liver cancer.
The pill will not prevent STDs and is not 100% effective. Abstinence is the only form of birth control that ensures against pregnancy and STDs.
The Catholic Church has condemned the use of the pill as a birth control method.