When you hear the date September 26th, what comes to mind? Hint: it’s actually a holiday. September 17th is Constitution Day, September 19th is International Talk Like a Pirate Day, but September 26th?
It’s World Contraception Day, a day devoted to increasing sexual health education and raising birth control awareness. Today, at least 62% of women in the United States use some form of birth control and 11 million of them use the most common form of contraception, the pill. What accounts for these high numbers? A heavier emphasis on sexual health education in schools, in combination with more widespread availability of birth control, especially the pill.
Typical birth control pills are combination pills, which use both estrogen and progestin. These hormones work to ensure that the egg does not leave the ovaries—which prevents the possibility of a sperm joining with the egg—and thicken the cervical mucus to inhibit sperm from reaching the egg. If taken as directed, less than 1 in 100 women on the pill will get pregnant.
The pill is also popular for other uses, including protection against acne, iron deficiency, anemia (a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood), bone thinning, and cysts in the ovaries.
For many women, the pill is attractive because it also regulates periods. Periods will be regular and lighter, and menstrual cramps will be reduced. Annabelle,* a sophomore from New Jersey, says, “I picked the pill because I used to get these really horrible, irregular periods, but then I also use it for birth control.” The pill can ensure that periods come at the same interval and the pack shows the exact week your period is coming, which can be extremely helpful for women with irregular periods.
Some other popular hormonal methods of birth control are the implant, injection, and vaginal ring. The implant lasts for three years, the injection for three months, and the vaginal ring for three weeks before they need to be replaced. If these methods appear to be more convenient than the pill, why is the pill still the number one used contraceptive? Maybe it’s a mental thing—a pill can certainly seem less invasive, even though it’s been proven that these other hormonal methods are just as safe. Janis,* a junior from California, says, “I feel more comfortable with the pill because I’m kind of superstitious about having so many hormones in my body from the methods that aren’t every day.”
In order for the pill to be effective, it must be taken at the same time every day. Is this ever an issue? “Sometimes it’s a bother to have to remember to take the pill every single day, but I like it as a reminder that I still have to take precautions about my sex life,” says Leandra,* a sophomore from Pennsylvania.
In addition to its medical benefits, the pill is one of the most easily accessible of all birth control methods for women. It’s one of the easier methods to get a prescription for and costs only $15-50 a month. On the CMU campus, the pill is available at Health Services. This is not only a convenient pickup location, but it also helps those who can’t obtain birth control otherwise. For students who would rather not discuss their birth control with their parents, or who can’t get their parents to sign off for birth control from their doctors, they have the option to request a prescription themselves at Health Services (also at their own doctor’s office, Planned Parenthood, or a nearby clinic.) Anne,* a freshman from New York, says, “I would rather get birth control without my parents knowing than risk pregnancy.”
The birth control pill is the most popular method of birth control today, but it’s not right for everyone. Women should take many factors into account when choosing a method of birth control, including their schedule, what’s convenient for them, what they’re looking for in birth control, and other health factors. For more information on the pill and other forms of birth control, visit plannedparenthood.org. And no matter which method you choose, don’t forget to celebrate September 26th.
*Names have been changed.