// BEGIN editorial data
 var i = 0;
var birthcontrol_wb3 = new Array();
birthcontrol_wb3.sName = "birthcontrol_wb3";
birthcontrol_wb3.ID = "birthcontrol_wb3";
birthcontrol_wb3.ID_WB = 3403285;
birthcontrol_wb3.sPubDate = "12/10/2003 2:06:33 AM GMT";
birthcontrol_wb3.mainsectionID = "HEALTH"
birthcontrol_wb3.navsectionID = "HEALTH"
birthcontrol_wb3.appFmt = 2;
birthcontrol_wb3.itemsPerPage = 1;
birthcontrol_wb3.appWidth = 460;
birthcontrol_wb3.appHeader = "Q & A|Birth control pill";
birthcontrol_wb3.appNavStyle = 3;
birthcontrol_wb3.appLayout = 3;
birthcontrol_wb3.headHeight = 50;
birthcontrol_wb3.copyHeight = 129;
birthcontrol_wb3.copyWidth = 330;
birthcontrol_wb3.copyMargin = 9;
birthcontrol_wb3[i++] = new Array("","How does it work?","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
birthcontrol_wb3[i-1].body = "Most oral contraceptives contain both estrogen and progestin (the synthetic version of the female hormone progesterone). The estrogen stops the ovaries from releasing eggs while the progestin thickens the cervical mucus so sperm can’t pass through it.";

birthcontrol_wb3[i++] = new Array("","How effective is it?","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
birthcontrol_wb3[i-1].body = "If the pill is taken perfectly (at the same time every day without missing any days), its failure rate is only 0.1 percent. However, factoring in human error, studies in the United States have found the failure rate to be slightly higher, at 3 percent.";

birthcontrol_wb3[i++] = new Array("","What are its advantages?","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
birthcontrol_wb3[i-1].body = "<li> Highly effective.<br><li> Offers reversible contraception.<br><li> Well-studied and safe for most women.<br><li> Makes periods lighter and more regular, and decreases cramping.<br><li> Some formulations may improve acne.<br><li> Offers protection against ovarian and endometrial cancers, pelvic inflammatory disease, noncancerous breast tumors, ovarian cysts and iron-deficiency anemia. It also may decrease the risk of osteoporosis.";

birthcontrol_wb3[i++] = new Array("","What are its disadvantages?","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
birthcontrol_wb3[i-1].body = "<li> Must be taken daily.<br><li> Provides no protection from sexually transmitted diseases.<br><li> Possible side effects include spotting, headaches, depression, breast tenderness, weight gain or loss, and skin changes. Studies also have suggested that pill users have a slightly higher chance of developing certain serious conditions, including blood clots in the veins and lungs, stroke, heart attack and liver tumors.<br><li> Should not be used by some women, including those who smoke and are over age 35, and those who have or previously had breast or uterine cancers. It also is not recommended for women with heart disease, blood clots, high blood pressure or cholesterol levels, active liver disease or liver tumors, advanced diabetes or those who have had a stroke.";

birthcontrol_wb3[i++] = new Array("","What is the<BR>mini-pill?","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
birthcontrol_wb3[i-1].body = "The mini-pill contains small amounts of progestin but no estrogen. Taken every day, it works mainly by thickening the cervical mucus to impede the sperm&#146;s entry into the uterus. It also prevents ovulation, though not as reliably as the combined oral contraceptive, and makes the uterine lining unreceptive to a fertilized egg. Because it is slightly less effective than the combined pill, it is recommended only for women who cannot take estrogen (such as smokers over 35).  While the mini-pill suppresses menstruation, users may experience some spotting.";

	// END editorial data