Birth control pill

Birth control pill (BCP), also known as oral contraceptive pill (OCP), are medications taken by mouth for the purpose of preventing pregnancy.

Female

Two types of female birth control pills, taken once per day, are widely available:

• The combined birth control pill contains estrogen and a progestin. Colloquially known as "The Pill".
• The progestogen-only pill, colloquially known as "minipill".
• Ormeloxifene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator which offers the benefit of only having to be taken once a week.

Emergency contraception pills ("morning after pills") are taken at the time of sex or within a few days afterwards:

• Levonorgestrel, sold under the brand name Plan B among others
• Ulipristal acetate
• Mifepristone and misoprostol, when used in combination, are more than 95% effective during the first 50 days of pregnancy.
• Yuzpe regimen

Male

• Male oral contraceptives are currently not available, although several possibilities are in various stages of research and development.