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Since there are so many different pill brands, so much information to sort through, and since with adolescents and/or young adults information on some aspects can vary slightly, and we get so many questions about the pill, it seems it's high time to give the most basic rundown I can speaking to...

It's fine to start on day two. Really, it's okay to start at any time in your cycle. It's just that the pill will become fully effective more quickly if you start at certain times rather than others. If you start within the first six days of a period, your withdrawal bleed (the "period" that happens...

If you're considering the combination pill (the most common form of oral contraceptives) as a birth control method, or already use it and want more information.

It depends on when you start taking your pills for the first time, and on what level of protection you want. If you start the pill on the first day of your period, it's likely -- so long as you take every pill in that cycle during and after that week perfectly -- that you will be have the full...

If you're a young person, you may not know it, but you can probably access methods of birth control without your parent's permission, and even for free! Here's a starter guide for those in the United States, as well as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, South Africa and India.

Audrey's question continued: So I'm looking into alternatives. I followed the links on this site about contraception but it looks like my only options are barriers or hormones and that seems like such a drag for me as I'm in a long-term relationship. Please help? WHEN will there be a male...

As a teenager who has encountered plenty of teenagers who are confused, scared, or otherwise troubled over pregnancy I couldn't be happier about over the counter access to birth control pills.

"Birth control" or "contraception" simply means any number of methods a person may or does use in order to try to prevent pregnancy. So, condoms are birth control. The pill is birth control. IUDs are birth control. The Depo-Provera shot is birth control. Withdrawal is birth control. If you choose...

If you're considering minipills as a birth control method, or already use them and want more information.

If you're considering emergency contraception -- pills or a copper IUD -- as a birth control method, or already use it and want more information.

Hey there, freakout. I'm so glad you've found so much help here, and kudos to you for thinking about all of this in advance of sexual activity! Really, that's an ideal we're always all hoping for. If everyone had all of this information in advance, we'd all be a lot healthier, and probably have much...

For birth control pills to be effective in preventing pregnancy, they have to be used correctly and consistently. Taking a birth control pill after sex won't do anything to prevent pregnancy. And yep: it can sure make you feel a little loopy and confuse the heck out of your cycle. In order for your...

Worried a medication might interact/interfere with your hormonal contraceptive, or vice versa? Here's a rundown of the most common culprits in birth control interference.

Your pills should be fully effective beginning at the start of your new pack. Typically, problems with pills only affect that particular cycle (unless the problem itself carries over into the next pack). So as long as you don't have any problems during your next cycle, you should be well protected...

If you're considering a hormonal method of birth control, and want help choosing one.

First of all, good for you and your partner for educating yourselves about safer sex and wanting to be as safe as possible! The first step in having safer sex is deciding on and using some form (or forms) of birth control. The second, really important step then is making sure that you are using your...

Hey there, Susie. You're welcome! Birth control pills are equally effective every single day of your cycle so long as you are taking the pills as directed, and on time every day, and without any other medications which could interfere with them. Some antibiotics, for instance, may decrease...

What's up with so many people experiencing what sure seem like side effects of hormonal birth control methods, but so few studies seeming to find or report those same effects? This excerpt from the book version of Pussypedia breaks it down and backs it up with a giant pile of research.

It won't do you harm that once, nor will using emergency contraception more than once: there isn't any data at this time which shows single or repeat use presents health risks beyond those we see with other hormonal BC. You can take a look at this page or this one for more information on EC...

If you're considering condoms as a birth control method, or already use them and want more information.

If you're considering the contraceptive patch as a birth control method, or already use it and want more information.

So long as you take your pills as directed and on time, with the exception of a few medications or herbs that can interact with the pill, you're as covered as you get. We get questions like this a lot, so in the interest of making sure you and everyone else understand your pill as best you can, let...