Birth control medicine is a way for men and women to prevent or stop pregnancy. There are many different ways or procedures for birth control, including hormonal contraception like: “the pill”.
Some women use the tablets by mouth to prevent pregnancy, and when used the right way, it is up to 99.5% effective. But the tablet does not protect or save you from sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV. The latex condom used to put on a penis gives the best protection from most STDs. Other types of combined estrogen and progestin hormonal contraception such as the patch and the vaginal ring.
Most women in the United States (US) who are on the pill take what’s called the combination pill. Estrogen and progesterone prevent or stop your ovaries from releasing or producing eggs, and they make changes in your cervix and uterus that reduces your chance of getting pregnant.
The mini pill uses only progesterone. It functions mostly by causing changes that keep sperm from reaching eggs.