Besides preventing pregnancy, the birth control pill has many other health benefits and advantages. Both the combination pill (which includes the hormones estrogen and progestin) and the progestin-only pill can help reduce menstrual cramps, lighten your period, and lower your chances of ectopic pregnancy.

In addition, the combination pill can help ward off or reduce:

• acne
• bone thinning
• cysts in your breasts or ovaries
• endometrial and ovarian cancers
• serious infections in your ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus
• iron deficiency (anemia)
• PMS (premenstrual syndrome)

Remember, the birth control pill must be taken orally once a day at the same time every day in order to prevent against pregnancy. Once you stop taking the pill, you can become pregnant immediately after having sex.

In addition, birth control pills do not prevent against STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases). Always use a condom when having sex to protect yourself from STDs. Condoms also provide extra protection against pregnancy.