The Pill

Pill; oral; contraceptive; contraception; pregnancy; options; birth; control; sexually; transmitted; infections; STIs; estrogen; progesterone; progestogen; hormones; ovum; sperm; protection; period; POP; pills;

Contents

• The Pill – Combined oral contraceptive  
• Progestogen-Only Pill (POP, or mini-Pill)
• Resources

The 'Pill', or Oral Contraceptive Pill (OCP), is a popular way that women chose to protect themselves against unwanted pregnancy. It's a very reliable birth control method, but it does not protect a woman against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

You get it on a doctor's prescription.

There are two main types of oral contraceptive. The first, often called 'the Pill', has two types of hormones in it - oestrogen and progestogen. The second (often known as the POP or Mini-Pill) has only progestogen in it and can be used for contraception when women are breastfeeding.

The Pill - combined oral contraceptive

The combined oral contraceptive pills contain two artificial hormones, oestrogen and progestogen. They work by:

• stopping the ovum (egg) being released each month
• changing the lining of the womb so that a fertilised egg can't implant and grow
• making the mucus (sticky fluid) at the cervix thick, so that it stops the sperm getting through to the ovum.

For more information have a look at the SHine SA fact sheet The Pill (combined oral contraceptive pill).

SHine SA is 'Sexual Health information, networking and education SA' (South Australia).

Progestogen-Only Pill (POP, or mini-Pill)

The POP has one hormone in it, progestogen.

The progestogen-only pill works by

• making the mucus (sticky fluid) at the entrance of the uterus thicker so that sperm can't get through
• changing the lining of the uterus so a fertilised egg can't grow
• sometimes stopping the release of an egg by the ovary

The POP can be safely used by women who are breastfeeding or who can't take the regular pill for medical reasons. The POP does not interfere with milk supply. Research has shown that the amount of hormone that might pass through the breast milk is extremely low, and will not harm the baby.

For more information have a look at the SHine SA fact sheet Progestogen-only pill.

Resources

South Australia

• Shine SA
  http://www.shinesa.org.au 
  Sexual Healthline 9 am to 1 pm Monday to Friday 
  Tel: 1300 883 793
  Country callers - Tel: 1800 188 171
  TTY: 8431 5177
  e-mail sexualhealthhotline@health.sa.gov.au
• The Second Story Youth Health Service (TSS)
  - Central: 57 Hyde St, Adelaide
  - South: 50a Beach Rd, Christies Beach
  - North: 6 Gillingham Rd, Elizabeth
  - West: 51 Bower St, Woodville
• Youth Healthline on 1300 13 17 19,
  
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases Service (Clinic 275) 
  Tel: (08) 8222 5075
  http://www.stdservices.on.net/  
• Your family doctor
• Your local Community Health Centre.

Australia

• 'Your sex health' Sexual health information developed by Australian researchers:
  http://www.yoursexhealth.org/
  

The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Youth Healthline on 1300 13 17 19 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).