# Bitter Pill

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitter-pill/21678>\
**Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\
**Created:** [June 7, 2000, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitter-pill/21678 "2000-06-07T18:25:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\
**Post date:** [June 7, 2000, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitter-pill/21678/1 "2000-06-07T18:25:55Z")

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In [http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mpillinfertile.html](http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mpillinfertile.html), Jill writes:  
\> The pill works primarily by suppressing ovulation–the  
\> release of an egg from the ovary midway through the cycle.

I feel like such a tool! I always thought that the pill merely prevented implantation of the ovum in the uterus (and that was an argument against its use by pro-lifers–it effectively aborted any zygotes).

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**Author:** ![Kyberneticist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dc4da7/32.png) [@Kyberneticist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyberneticist)\
**Post date:** [June 7, 2000, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitter-pill/21678/2 "2000-06-07T18:38:53Z")

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It does reduce ovulation, which apparently reduces ovarian cancer. But it also does prevent implanatation once fertilization has occurred. That’s why it can be used as a morning after pill.

Is there an IANAMD? 🙂

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**Author:** ![Dragwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dragwyr/32/2855_2.png) [@Dragwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragwyr)\
**Post date:** [June 7, 2000, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitter-pill/21678/3 "2000-06-07T20:16:05Z")

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You are correct, toadspittle, it does help prevent implantation of the ovum.

According to [http://www.rickmd.com/bcmbcp.htm](http://www.rickmd.com/bcmbcp.htm) :

1. They prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg.
2. They make the cervical mucous thick so sperm can’t swim inside.
3. They make the lining of the uterus thin so the egg can’t stick.

Ironically, they list one of the DISADVANTAGES as “Your breasts might get larger”. I didn’t know that was a disadvantage.

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**Author:** ![JillGat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\
**Post date:** [June 7, 2000, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitter-pill/21678/4 "2000-06-07T20:20:45Z")

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This is why I used the term “primarily.” Because it does have other actions that prevent pregnancy besides just stopping ovulation.

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**Author:** ![Dragwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dragwyr/32/2855_2.png) [@Dragwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragwyr)\
**Post date:** [June 7, 2000, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitter-pill/21678/5 "2000-06-07T20:33:37Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*\*  
> This is why I used the term “primarily.” Because it does have other actions that prevent pregnancy besides just stopping ovulation.  
> \*\*

Which is why many religious people prefer NOT to use this method. I’m not sure that pro-lifer’s are necessarily “against” the pill. I’ve known a few that used it.