Do birth control pills provide protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?

Birth control pills are primarily designed to prevent pregnancy by regulating hormones and inhibiting ovulation. However, they do not provide any protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This is because the mechanisms of action of birth control pills operate within the reproductive system to prevent fertilization, not to shield against pathogens that can be transmitted through sexual contact, such as HIV, chlamydia, or gonorrhea.

While some methods of contraception, such as condoms, also serve as a barrier to reduce the risk of STIs, hormonal contraceptives alone do not offer that protection. Therefore, understanding the limitations of various contraceptive methods is crucial for comprehensive sexual health education. This highlights the importance of using additional protective measures, such as condoms, in conjunction with birth control pills for those who wish to reduce both the risk of pregnancy and STIs.