Oral contraceptives have been available since the 1960's; a reflection of ongoing the Sexual Revolution. After 50 years, there are numerous studies about the benefits and risks to taking oral contraceptives. We even hear commercials about them every day on how effective they are. Afterward, we hear a woman speaking at the speed of light, who was most likely a former auctioneer, prattle on the long list of risk factors at 300 words per minute. Their benefits have seemed to bring upon a new age and has given women more control over their lives. If there was nothing to hide or be scared of, why would they have to add that disclosure at the end of their commercials? Yes, it is for liability reasons more than anything, but the long-term use of oral contraceptives have harmful effects on one's body as well as the child you may one day procreate. When it comes to the guessing game of the future the risks greatly outweigh the benefits. Aside from preventing unwanted pregnancies, oral contraceptives help women in many different ways. These include fewer ectopic pregnancies, improving acne, and reduction in menstrual-related or perimenopausal symptoms. Additionally, a recent analysis of 45 epidemiologic studies across 21 countries found that taking the pill decreased the risk of ovarian cancer (Cullins 33). Everyone's genetic framework is completely different, this is a general pill given to an abundant amount of people. The same pill that says reduces ovarian cancer for many, causes ovarian cancer as well. We have to remember that at times these studies are biased towards their ultimate goal and that is to move their product. While some of these are wonderful benefits, we must also remember that taking oral contraceptives come with common side effects, like most medications on the market. The most frequently reported side effects are: transient headaches, nausea, weight gain, mood alterations, mastalgia (breast pain), and bleeding abnormalities (Edwards). Women decide to stop using their prescribed birth control pills because they can’t handle the side effects. Additionally, women who take the pill to help regulate their acne will be prone to breakouts for a couple months after going off the pill because of the hormone shift in their body. Other women who experience these side effects medicate themselves even more; they would rather deal with aches and pains caused by their birth control instead of stopping it. There were case studies where women who took the pill had evidence of liver cancer. A drug of choice to alleviate headaches is traditionally, Tylenol, or other over the counter pain relief medications. These drugs are also known to cause liver damage when used often. One could only imagine the countless amounts of women taking birth control in addition to a couple handfuls of tylenol when they get a headache. After a certain age, many people even begin to drink and or smoke while taking these medications, because they think it is no big deal, this is a huge misconception. Truthfully, they are asking the liver to work and process at a rate it is not able to keep up with. Some studies even show that adding cigarettes to the equation when birth control is involved can higher the risk of down syndrome in their child. Damage done to the body may go unnoticed for numerous years, but that kind of wear and tear will catch up to one's system eventually. A woman is harming herself by taking her contraceptive prescription, and treating her headaches with medication that damages the liver, and that is regardless of choice in poison. The benefits of oral contraceptives may seem appealing even with its side effects to women, but long-term use of the pill has shown harmful effects on the body. According to the National Cancer Institute, taking oral contraceptives increases the risk of breast cancer,