Birth control pills are not only an effective way to prevent pregnancy; they are also useful in preventing several health problems.

According to a pamphlet distributed by Planned Parenthood, birth control pills can be 97 to 99 percent effective. The effectiveness of the pills depends on the degree of consistency and correct use.

According to Dr. Malhar Gore, a Student Health Center physician, the female body normally goes through a cycle each month that involves estrogen and progesterone.

Estrogen builds up the lining of the uterus and progesterone maintains this buildup and blood flow. During this process, estrogen and progesterone are at different levels throughout the month.

Birth control pills contain the synthetic versions of estrogen and progesterone. The role of these hormones is to inhibit ovulation and build up on the walls of the uterus. The uterus then empties itself, causing menstrual flow.

In the ’60s birth control pills contained a significantly higher concentration of hormones than the pills do now, Gore said. Since then, doctors have figured out they can reduce the amount of hormone and still reduce the risk of pregnancy just as effectively.

Gore said now pills are at least 100 percent less concentrated, and women who were on the pill in the ’60s are now developing problems, such as abnormalities of the uterus.

There are three different types of birth control pills — triphasic, monophasic and progesterone, which is strictly for women who are breastfeeding and contains only progesterone, Gore said.

Krista Noah, central manager at Planned Parenthood, said the No. 1 pill prescribed at the Ames clinic is Ortho Tricyclen, a triphasic pill.

“The biggest difference in birth control pills is the percentage of hormones in each type,” Noah said.

Triphasic contains a low percentage of both synthetic hormones. There are 28 pills in the cycle, 21 of which contain three different hormone levels.

Monophasic is basically the same as triphasic; however, 21 of the 28 pills contain only one hormone level.

“It’s most important to take the pills right at the beginning of the package,” Noah said. These pills are the most important because they contain the strongest level of hormone.

If a woman misses taking the pill by more than 12 hours, Noah said she should take two pills on the same day at least four hours apart and use another form of contraception.

“You can take two pills at the same time,” Gore said. “The main thing is not taking too much of the hormone at the same time.”

Birth-control companies suggest that by taking the pill at the same time each day, the effectiveness of the pill will increase; however, this has not been proven, Gore said.

Noah said the most “annoying” side effects of the pill include weight gain, breast tenderness, nausea, possible depression and irregular bleeding.

Irregular bleeding occurs in some females. While someone is on the pill, the body is at a constant level of hormones.

When this level changes, as when a woman forgets to take a pill, irregular bleeding may occur.

“A woman gaining weight depends on how her physiology metabolizes hormones,” Gore said. The class effects of hormones, because of their chemical backbone, may cause a person to retain water and be more hungry, he added.

Some women may initially gain five to seven pounds, Gore said, but most patients he has seen have had no problem keeping this weight off after they lose it.

Not everyone will experience side effects from birth control pill use, he added.

“Some women’s bodies prefer different levels and types of hormones,” Gore said. “Women may also choose how they take the medicines.”

According to Gore, the major risk of taking birth control pills is blood clots.

“Chronically taking hormones increases the chances in some women of producing blood clots,” Gore said.

Gore listed gall-bladder disease as another possible side effect of pill use.

Apart from side effects, the pill can have many positive health benefits.

The pill has been successful in treating excessive bleeding, pelvic syndromes, ovarian cysts and benign breast cysts.

It also decreases the chances of ectopic pregnancies, which occur when a fetus develops outside of the womb.

The pill is also useful in controlling menstrual cycle, cramps and flow.

Patients who have anemia can benefit from using the pill because of its ability to regulate the amount of blood flow during menstruation.

According to a pamphlet distributed by Planned Parenthood, the pill provides safe, effective contraception, helps decrease acne and excess hair growth, reduces endometriosis and has perimenopausal benefits.

Certain brands of birth control pills provide emergency birth control. They can be used within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse to induce menstruation.

Most women can use birth control pills safely and effectively; however, it is not recommended for women who are older than 35 and who smoke and use them because of escalating health risks.

Planned Parenthood suggests if a woman is considering going on the pill she should first ask herself how well she remembers to take pills regularly, how much help in preventing pregnancy she can expect from a partner, how often she engages in sexual intercourse and how she would feel if she became pregnant at this time.

“The pill does not protect against any type of sexually transmitted diseases,” Gore said.

Purchasing birth control pills at Planned Parenthood can cost up to $16 a month, depending on financial status.

At the Student Health Center, costs range from $7 to $25. The costs will also vary depending on individual insurance plans.