oral contraceptive

noun

plural oral contraceptives

: any of various preparations that typically contain progestin either alone or in combination with estrogen, are taken orally especially on a daily basis, and act as contraceptives (see contraceptive entry 1) by preventing ovulation, thickening cervical mucus, or thinning the uterine lining : birth control pill

Johns Hopkins University has estimated that 80 percent of American women born since 1945 have used oral contraceptives at some time.

—The New York Times

And because it's a combined oral contraceptive … meaning that it contains progestin and estrogen, it's not recommended for nursing moms …

—Caitlin Stine

She is considering having another child and is wondering whether she should discontinue oral contraceptives to attempt pregnancy.

—G. Adam Davidson

Examples of oral contraceptive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The drugs could also interfere with how the body absorbs oral contraceptives. —Theara Coleman, theweek, 8 May 2024

Under the law, health plans are required to cover at least one form of contraception in each category of birth control, such as oral contraception — but there are hundreds of oral contraceptive pills that providers might prescribe for their patients, Frederiksen said. —Dan Diamond, Washington Post, 17 June 2024

While doctors have speculated about the effects of significant weight loss on fertility and the possibility of GLP-1 drugs interfering with the absorption of oral contraceptives, there isn't any concrete evidence that pregnancy is a side effect of the drug. —Theara Coleman, theweek, 8 May 2024

Although there are benefits to using oral contraceptives, there are some risks to be aware of, Jacobson said. —Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 13 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1932, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

oral contraceptive

noun

: any of various preparations that typically contain a progestin (such as norethindrone or levonorgestrel) either alone or in combination with an estrogen (such as ethinyl estradiol or mestranol), are taken orally especially on a daily basis, and act as contraceptives (see contraceptive entry 1) by preventing ovulation, thickening cervical mucus, or thinning the uterine lining : birth control pill