Hormonal contraceptionSpec 7.6
Hormonal contraceptives contain oestrogen, progesterone or both. They can be taken as a pill, or given as a patch, an injection or an implant under the skin.
The hormones keep levels in the body high. This stops the normal changes in hormone levels that cause eggs to mature and be released. The effects on the cycle and on pregnancy are:
- Eggs do not mature, so ovulation does not happen. There is no egg to be fertilised.
- Progesterone makes the mucus at the cervix thicker, so sperm cannot get through to reach an egg.
Higher tier
The oestrogen in the pill inhibits the release of FSH from the pituitary gland. With FSH kept low, eggs do not mature in the ovaries.