hormonal contraception

• Hormonal contraception 

  Prevent ovulation by changing hormones levels in woman’s body
• One of most effective methods
• Combined pill 

  Contains substances similar oestrogen and progesterone  

  When taken daily for first 21 days of cycle 

  • Hormones prevent release of mature egg
  • Cervical mucus becomes thick and sticky - difficult for sperm to travel upwards from vagina 
  • Alter lining of uterus - become less receptive to implantation of embryo 

  Almost 100% protection 

  If missed for 2+ days, hormones levels drop - no protection 
• Mini pill 

  Contains only progesterone 

  
  

  makes cervical mucus thicker so sperm cannot enter uterus

  Changes lining of uterus - difficult for implantation 

  
  

  Must be taken daily at same time 
• Hormone implant 

  Delivers progesterone using Implanon NXT 

  
  

  Soft plastic stick, ≈4cm long 

  Inserted beneath skin on inner side of upper arm 

  
  

  Slowly releases progesterone into body 

  Lasts 3 years 

  
  

  Can be easily removed 

  Ovulation returns within 3 weeks 
• Vaginal ring 

  Delivers oestrogen and progesterone 

  
  

  Soft plastic ring 

  Placed in vagina 

  
  

  Releases low doses of oestrogen and progesterone

  
  

  Left in vagina for 3 weeks and taken out for 1 week  

  Same effects of combined pill