How Effective is Birth Control? If you are thinking about taking the pill, you have likely asked yourself ‘how effective is birth control anyway?’ If you are taking it to prevent pregnancy (the most common reason women are on the pill), that’s perhaps the most important question to ask! There are two main types of birth control pills – combination pills and the “mini pill.” The effectiveness of both is slightly different as combination pills are more effective. Typically women will go this route unless they have a sensitivity to estrogen. In that case, the progestin-only pill known as the “mini pill” is often deemed a better choice. The combination pill (containing both estrogen and progestin) is up to 99.9% effective when taken correctly. It may seem like a simple task to take the medication as directed, but when women forget to take a pill or two (or take them at odd times) the efficacy rate drops. In order to keep the effectiveness of birth control at its highest, it’s recommended that the pill be taken at the same time each day. Setting a daily alarm on your phone to remind you is a helpful trick for getting into the routine. Where Can I Get a Morning After Pill? Even those who are take their birth control religiously can have a slip up every now and again. If you feel your birth control method failed, or you didn’t use one to begin with, you are likely asking where can I get a morning after pill? The good news is that getting the morning after pill is now easier than ever. Not only are there some morning after pills available over-the-counter, but there is also ella, a prescription morning after pill that is effective for up to 5 days after unprotected sex. ella is available online and can be shipped right to you. If you are unsure whether you are at risk of becoming pregnant from a recent sexual encounter, you can speak to the pharmacist or doctor about the best option for you. If you are wanting to find the pill more locally, you can call and ask local pharmacies ‘where can I get a morning after pill?’ and they can let you know if they have ella in stock. If they do, you can simply have the prescription called in. Are Birth Control Pills Safe? One of the reasons birth control pills are so widely used is their safety, so if you are still asking yourself ‘are birth control pills safe?’ the answer is yes, for most people. If you have certain medical conditions or if you are a smoker over the age of 35, doctors may recommend that you choose another form of contraception. All medications have some risks, so you are right to look into the safety of birth control pills before taking them. Fortunately, by looking at your lifestyle habits and health history, a doctor can advise you on the best course of action when it comes to your birth control needs.