Although oral contraceptives are extremely popular in the United States, there are disadvantages as well as advantages regarding their use. List and discuss these.

The side effects reported most often include spotting, breast tenderness, nausea or vomiting, weight gain or loss, and changes in sex drive. In addition, women with certain preexisting health factors or high sensitivity to hormones react unfavorably to the pill and are considered poor candidates for taking it. Following are the benefits: easy to take, dependable, no applications or interruptions, moderate to high degrees of satisfaction, regular or reduced menstrual flow, less menstrual cramping, and protection against osteoporosis, endometrial cancer, and ovarian cancer.