Salient. Official Newspaper of the Victoria University Students' Association. Vol 44 No. 5. March 30 1981

2. How Effective Is The Pill?

2. How Effective Is The Pill?

The theoretical effectiveness of oral contraceptives is about 99.9% i.e. 1 pregnancy per 1000 women per year of regular use. Lower dosage pills may be slightly less effective. Effectiveness, however, is dependent primarily on whether the pills are taken correctly. The absorption of all the ingredients of the pill, by the gut can be affected by the healthiness of the gut lining. If there is infection there (gastroenteritis) and the patient is vomiting or has diarrhoea this absorption can be reduced. This is especially important when low dosage pills are being taken. Other medications in the gut at the same time can reduce absorption.