BCPs can provide highly reliable contraceptive protection, exceeding 99%.
Even when imperfect use (skipping an occasional pill) is considered, the BCPs are still very effective in preventing pregnancy.
In the event a pregnancy occurs despite the use of the BCP, there is no medical evidence that exposure of the developing fetus to this amount of contraceptive hormone is harmful in any way. The pills should be stopped (as there is no need for them), but patients can be reassured that the fetus has been unharmed.
In addition to their contraceptive benefits, the BCPs have a number of other benefits.
When the formulation of the BCP is strong enough to suppress a patient’s ovarian function, BCPs generally:
- Cause menstrual cycles to occur regularly and predictably
- Shorten menstrual flows
- Lighten menstrual flows
- Reduce the risk of iron deficiency anemia
- Reduce menstrual cramps
- Eliminate painful ovulation
- Reduce premenstrual symptoms
- Reduce cyclic breast pain
- Improve acne
- Reduce the risk of ovarian cysts
- Reduce the risk of ovarian cancer
- Reduce the risk of uterine cancer
- Reduce the risk of uterine fibroid tumors
- Reduce the risk of symptomatic endometriosis
- Reduce the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease
- Reduce the risk of benign breast disease
If the formulation is not sufficiently strong to consistently suppress ovarian function, the BCP will still be effective in preventing pregnancy, but the other beneficial effects may not be seen, and the problems may be aggravated by BCP use.