Running head: BIRTH CONTROL PILLS

Community Problem Report: Birth Control Pills

Stephanie Villalva
The University of Texas at El Paso

Running head: BIRTH CONTROL PILLS

Introduction
Since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the pill in 1960, it has
become the most popular and one of the most effective forms of reversible birth control ever
invented (Healthy Women, 2015). Ever since the release of birth control pills, there has been a
debate whether women should be allowed to buy the drug or ban it all together. Throughout the
years many have come to the idea of accepting birth control pills and have thought it was a new
way of preventing pregnancies. There are many positive effects of this pill besides decreasing
the chance of pregnancy this also includes some side effects. People that dont know both sides
of the birth control pill are usually making the most impact whether it should or shouldnt be
allowed to buy. There are those that choose to not buy birth control based off their religious
beliefs while others choose to buy the pill on health benefits. Men have a huge impact on this
subject and some do decide if women should be allowed to access the pill, which is not fair to
women across the country. This report will cover why women should be allowed to access birth
control pills and address the positive and negative effects.
Birth Control Pill: Overview
Birth control pills are used all across the United States, including around the world.
According to The Guttmacher Institute, among U.S.
women who use birth control, more than 27 percent use the
pill (Healthy Women, 2015). Birth control pills can be
either medically prescribed or can be bought over the
counter at pharmacies. The birth control pill is a daily pill
that contains hormones to change the way the body works and as well as prevent pregnancies
(Gavin, 2013). Hormones are chemical substances that control the functioning of the bodys

Running head: BIRTH CONTROL PILLS

organs (Gavin, 2013). There are different types of pills ranging with different impacts on the
body. Each birth control pill contains different kinds of hormones to target different specific
needs for the patient or user of the pill. When choosing a method, many women decide to use
birth control pills as a type of contraceptive. Some birth control pills contain two hormones
estrogen and progestin (The Pill, n.d.). Some combination birth control pills, called continuous
or extended-cycle pills, allow women to reduce the number of periods each year (Mayo Clinic
Staff, 2015). These kinds of pills help prevent ovulation which is the release of an egg during
the monthly cycle. Ovulation is important when getting pregnant, without ovulation pregnancy
wont occur.
Birth Control Pill: How They Work
Since theres a variety of birth control pills, they all require a specific way of taking
them. Each have different effects and must be taken at a certain time of the day. People who
take birth control pills must take it every day at the same time taken before. It is especially
important with progesterone pills to take the pill every day. Not all birth control pills are the
same so doctors say to never take a friends of relatives pill. Most combination pills come in
either a 21 or 28 day pack (Gavin, 2013). Depending on the pack, the person will either stop
taking birth control for 7 days (as in the 21 day pack) or take a pill that contains no hormones
for 7 days ( the 28 day pack) (Gavin, 2013).
Birth Control Pill: Positive Effects & Negative Effects
Taking birth control pills have many positive effects. Many who take the pill understand
the positive effects. Those that are against the use of birth control pills dont understand the full

Running head: BIRTH CONTROL PILLS

list of positive effects. Birth control pills also have a variety effects beside the prevention of
pregnancy in women. The pill may also be taken for non-contraceptive medical purposes to
address issues such as: regulation of
menstrual periods, irregular periods,
menorrhagia (heavy periods), dysmenorrhea
(painful periods), endometriosis,
premenstrual syndrome (PMS), premenstrual
dysphoric disorder (PMDD), acne control,
hirsutism (excess hair growth), and

METHOD

USE EFFECTIVENESS
(Actual Use)

THEORETICAL
EFFECTIVENESS
(Perfect Use)

PILL - Combined
- Progestin

92%
92%

99.7%
99.7%

DIAPHRAGM &
SPERMICIDE

84%

94%

SPERMICIDE & MALE

CONDOMS**

no confirmed data

99%

FEMALE CONDOM ALONE 79%

95%

alopecia (hair loss) (Smith, 2015). Birth

MALE CONDOM ALONE

85%

98%

control pills also help with decreasing the

SPERMICIDES***

71%

82%

risk of breast cyst, ovarian cysts, pelvic

TUBAL LIGATION

99.5%

99.5%

99.85%

99.9%

inflammatory disease (PID), and pregnancies VASECTOMY

in the fallopian tubes
(Smith, 2015).

CERVICAL CAP
Woman has had children 68%
Woman has not had
84%
children

74%
91%

DEPO-PROVERA

97%

99.95%

pill, there are also negative effects which are

FERTILITY AWARENESS
METHOD

75%

95-97%

commonly referred to as side effects. The

NO METHOD (CHANCE)

15%

15%

While there are positive effects to the

ten most common side effects of birth control pills are: intermenstrual spotting, nausea, breast
tenderness, headaches, weight gain, mood changes, missed periods, decreased libido, vaginal
discharge, and visual changes with contact lenses (Smith, 2015). For intermenstrual spotting,
approximately fifty percent of people using the pill experience vaginal bleeding between

Running head: BIRTH CONTROL PILLS

expected periods, it is most common within the first three months of starting to take the pill
(Smith, 2015). While taking birth control pills theres an increase in blood pressure, benign
liver tumors, and risk of developing cervical cancer. Birth control pills help prevent pregnancy
but do not protect against any sexually transmitted diseases. The effectiveness of birth control
pills is about ninety two percent, which means the people taking this pill will be ensured the
positive results (Options for Sexual Health, 2009). The table above lists the effectiveness of the
birth control pill compared to other types of birth control used across the United States.
Birth Control Pills: Religious Views
When including religious views upon the subject of birth control pills theres a large
debate. Many people under certain religions will not allow women use birth control pills
because it plays a part in Gods work. The Roman Catholic Church and The United Methodist
Church have different views of where birth control fits in Gods plan. The church teaches that
every couples intimacy should always carry the potential for procreation unless Gods design
prevents that possibility, such as a wife no longer being of childbearing years (The United
Methodist Church, n.d.). In general, the church emphasizes natural lay and many have moral
objections not just to birth control pills and sterilization procedures but also to in vitro
fertilization (The United Methodist Church, n.d.). People who are very religious tend to agree
with this and the wife will not use birth control. Many men who are married dont allow their
wife to use the pill because of that the wife never gets a decision on the matter. People who are
against the use of the pill protest against it because of religious beliefs rather that medical facts.
Some dont take inconsideration the positive effects of birth control pills and how they will help
the women if they really do need it. The people that are really religious dont take in
consideration the effects or dont even know a thing about the pill are just against birth control

Running head: BIRTH CONTROL PILLS

pills. Even if the wife really needs to use birth control pills based on her health many husbands
will not allow them to because of their religious beliefs. These people heavy influence society
and advertise the negatives rather than the positives. Women should have the right to decide
whether they should take the pill or not use it at all.
Conclusion
Regardless of all the negative effects and religious issues that are associated with birth
control pills, they are worth taking and women should be allowed to decide if they want to take
the pill. Many people can afford it due to insurance and are accessible at stores or doctors
office. Birth control pills are beneficial to women who can be benefited from this pill. People
with different religions are slowly but surely changing their minds on the use of birth control
pills because of the medical evidence. Women can control their own body and they should be
able to decide if they want to use this product. This type of birth control is the most effective to
prevent pregnancy and has other beneficial factors. Regardless if the women across America are
married, they all should have the right to access it based on the positive effects to their bodies.

Running head: BIRTH CONTROL PILLS

References:
Birth Control Pills | HealthyWomen. (2015, June 9). Retrieved October 21, 2015.
Birth Control Pills - Birth control pill - The Pill. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2015.
Combination birth control pills. (2015, August 15). Retrieved October 28, 2015
Gavin, M. (2013, August 1). Birth control pill. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
Relative effectiveness of birth control methods*. (2009, March 15).
Retrieved October 28, 2015.
Religious liberty, the church and the pill - The United Methodist Church. (n.d.).
Retrieved November 5, 2015.
Smith, L. (2015, September 23). 10 Most common birth control pill side effects.
Retrieved October 26, 2015.

Running head: BIRTH CONTROL PILLS