Choice of contraceptive method – an individual decision
Which method of contraception is most suited for a particular woman and which one is less suitable is determined by a number of factors. Age and state of health, the partnership situation and whether the partners (still) want to have children all play an important role. Therefore a physician should always be consulted before deciding on a particular method of contraception. Important considerations can be clarified in a personal consultation, and the physician can recommend a method of contraception based on a woman's individual life situation and state of health.
Contraception using the Pill
More than 60 million women worldwide use the “Pill” for contraception. It is regarded as one of the most reliable methods of contraception offering reliable protection against unplanned pregnancy, when used correctly. However, as with any other drug, the Pill can cause undesired side effects, which are by no means experienced by all women.
Different types of Pill
There are several different kinds of Pill today. They differ in terms of their active substance and dose.
They all contain synthetic sex hormones. Most birth-control pills today are combined preparations containing an estrogen and a progestin (the “combined pill”). The natural forms of these two types of hormone play a role in the menstrual cycle. In the same way, the synthetic forms of these two types of hormone, estrogen and progestin are used in the combined pill and impact on woman’s menstrual cycle in several ways:
- Maturation of the egg (ovum) and ovulation are suppressed.
- Formation of mucus in the cervix is stimulated, forming a “plug” or natural barrier to sperm.
The progestin is the actual contraceptive, while the estrogen component maintains a regular menstrual cycle and supports the contraceptive effect of the progestin.
Contraception
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