METHODS OF CONTRACEPTION: THE PILL

Posted on March 27th, 2009, by admin

Also called birth control pills and oral contraceptives, this method requires a woman to take a monthly series of pills that contain hormones like the ones naturally made in a woman’s body to control the menstrual cycle. This method works by preventing a woman from ovulating, by causing changes in her uterus so a fertilized ovum can’t implant there and/or by altering the mucus secreted by her cervix so that sperm can’t pass through the cervix into the uterus.

There are basically two types: the combined pill, which contains the hormones oestrogen and progestogen; and the mini-pill, which contains only progestogen. With most types, the woman takes one pill a day for twenty-one days and then has seven ‘off days. During these off days, no pill is taken and the woman has her period. Other types are taken every day, even during the period.

The pill provides protection against pregnancy even on the off days, but the whole series must be taken on schedule in order to work. Missing even one pill can lead to pregnancy.

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