How does hormonal contraception work?
ANSWER
Hormonal contraceptives (the pill, the patch, and the vaginal ring) all contain a small amount of man-made estrogen and progestin hormones. These hormones work to inhibit the body's natural cyclical hormones to prevent pregnancy.
The hormonal contraceptive usually stops the body from ovulating. Hormonal contraceptives also change the cervical mucus to make it difficult for the sperm to go through the cervix and find an egg.
Hormonal contraceptives can also change the lining of the womb, which makes it unlikely the fertilized egg will be implanted.
Reviewed by Nivin Todd on June 14, 2020
SOURCES:
The National Women's Health Information Center.
ContraceptionNet.
Seasonale.
News release, FDA.
SOURCES:
The National Women's Health Information Center.
ContraceptionNet.
Seasonale.
News release, FDA.
From: Birth Control Pills
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