Get Virtual Care
  • Primary Care
  • Urgent Care
  • FAQs
  • Support Center
For Businesses
  • Direct Primary Care for Organizations
  • For DMEs and Pharmacies
  • For Health Plans
  • For Providers
About Us
  • Who We Are
  • Why HealthTap
  • Our Standards
  • Contact
Log in
Book a video appointment
Book now
  • Get Virtual Care

    • Primary Care
    • Urgent Care
    • FAQs
    • Support Center
  • For Businesses

    • Direct Primary Care for Organizations
    • For DMEs and Pharmacies
    • For Health Plans
    • For Providers
  • About Us

    • Who We Are
    • Why HealthTap
    • Our Standards
    • Contact
Log in to HealthTap
HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients
Book a video visit
Overview
Treats
Related questions
HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients
Book a video visit
Sexual Health
Medications
Birth control pills

Birth control pills

Share

Link copied

Also known as oral contraceptives, birth control pills are highly effective oral medications that use hormones to prevent pregnancy. There are two main types of birth control pills: one with estrogen and progestin (also known as the combination pill) and one with just progestin. The two main ways they prevent pregnancy are: 1) The hormones thicken the cervical mucous, which keeps sperm from entering the uterus on their way to the egg; and 2) By maintaining a level of hormone in the blood stream that prevents the ovaries from releasing eggs.

Dr. Craig DeFreese reviewed this

42 year experience in Gynecology

Treats

PMS (premenstrual syndrome)
Condition
Mittelschmerz
Condition
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Condition
Endometriosis
Condition
Seasonal depression (seasonal affective disorder)
Condition
Load more

Related questions

A 20-year old female asked:

How many hours after taking my seventh birth control pill will it be effective? Its my first time starting birth control

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 34-year old male asked:

Hi dos keycard plus cover my wifes yaz birth control pill?

2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

A 16-year old female asked:

I have been bleeding for 11 days while on birth control pills and its been super heavy and painful ?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 30-year old female asked:

I take my birth control pill every day at noon. I missed it yesterday. Today I took the missed pill and todays pill as well. Am I still protected?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 45-year old asked:

Switching birth control pills?

1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in

A 28-year old female asked:

Do birth control pills expire?

1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in

A 48-year old asked:

Can birth control pills go bad?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 18-year old asked:

Can I chew birth control pills.?

1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in

A 37-year old asked:

Is birth control pill bad for you?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 36-year old asked:

How is the birth control pill used?

1 doctor answer • 14 doctors weighed in

A 48-year old asked:

Whatis the best birth control pill?

1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in

A 43-year old asked:

How can I take birth control pills?

2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

A 19-year old female asked:

What is the best birth control. Pill?

4 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

A 41-year old asked:

Are all birth control pills the same?

4 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in

A 36-year old asked:

Is the birth control pill still safe?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 48-year old asked:

What are the best birth control pills?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 33-year old asked:

Will birth control pills work for men?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 47-year old asked:

What if a man took birth control pills?

1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in

A 40-year old asked:

When is the birth control pill started?

1 doctor answer • 6 doctors weighed in

A 31-year old asked:

What do birth control pills taste like?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 20-year old female asked:

What is the strongest birth control pill?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 40-year old asked:

How quickly can I get birth control pills?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 45-year old asked:

How do you take secure birth control pills?

1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in

A member asked:

What types of birth control pills are there?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 23-year old female asked:

Will i gain weight from birth control pills?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 34-year old asked:

What is starting the birth control pill like?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 37-year old asked:

Can you tell me what birth control pills are?

3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in

A member asked:

What if a child ate some birth control pills?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 32-year old male asked:

What is Birth Control pills a risk factor for?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 32-year old asked:

What is most effective best birth control pill?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

HealthTap
HIPAA logo
HIPAASecure
Soc 2 Type 2 logo
SOC 2 Type 2Certified
JCAHO Accredited
JCAHOAccredited

For Businesses

Direct Primary Care for OrganizationsFor DMEs and PharmaciesFor Health PlansFor Providers

Company

About UsSupport CenterContact Us

Health Content

Health TopicsDoctor Q&A by Specialty

Join Us

For DoctorsJobs
Member App

Download HealthTap

Video visit and message your doctor

Member App QR Code
Play Store Member LinkApp Store Member Link

Questions?

+1 (888) 828-0841support@healthtap.com
LinkedInTwitter
HomeTermsPrivacyCookiesDMCAHealth TopicsDoctors DirectoryDoctor Q&A by Specialty
Copyright 2026 HealthTap, Inc.