What is ‘Oral Contraception’ (birth control pills)?

A birth control pill (oral contraception) is a pill that is taken every day time and is 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.  There are two types of birth control pills.  One is a combined pill (COC), which has estrogen and progestin. The other is a progestin only pill (POP).  The most popular pill is the combined pill (COC). If a woman has medical reasons why she cannot take the combined pill, she might be advised to use the progestin-only pill (POP).