Hormonal Contraceptives

Many Types of Contraceptives

Although oral contraceptives were the first commercially available method of hormonal birth control, there are now many forms. The specific drugs used are the same, but may involve a novel delivery system such as an injection, skin patch, implant, or even a plastic ring placed inside the vagina. Mini-pills are like conventional oral contraceptives, but contain no estrogen.

Hormonal contraceptives are extremely popular due to their ease of use and efficacy. All require a doctor's prescription due to possible drug interactions and health risks, especially among older women and smokers. These methods of birth control can cause numerous side-effects and health risks — as well as some health benefits. Unwanted side-effects (below) can be entirely avoided if the other methods such as condoms, cervical barrier methods for women, or natural methods are used instead.

How Hormonal Methods Work

All hormonal contraceptives have at least three mechanisms of action. Artificial female hormones are the active ingredient in all hormonal contraceptives — estrogen and progestin. Some products contain both hormones and others progestin only. Using both hormones together is somewhat more effective than progestin alone, but the estrogen component is responsible for most of the serious health hazards associated with hormonal methods.

1. Hormonal contraceptives prevent ovulation. No egg is released so sperm cannot fertilize it. It is widely agreed that this is a major mechanism of hormonal birth control.


2. A woman may ovulate anyway. Hormonal contraceptives may also prevent fertilization by changing the consistency of natural secretions in the vagina, making it harder for the sperm to reach the egg. It is not clear how effective this mechanism is in preventing fertilization.


3. A woman may ovulate anyway, and sperm may still reach the egg, resulting in fertilization. When this occurs, hormonal contraceptives make it difficult for the embryo to implant in the uterus by keeping the edometrium (lining of the uterus) thinned. This results in the death and expulsion of the embryo. Most scientists agree this occurs, but it is not clear how often. Some doctors do not prescribe hormonal contraceptives because they find this mechanism objectionable. [more about this...]

Chemical Names

Health Risks

There are numerous side-effects and health risks involving hormonal contraceptives. Hormonal contraceptives may increase your risk of breast cancer and cervical cancer, but reduce the risk of uterine or ovarian cancer; the science is not yet conclusive. Other side effects and health risks listed here, but not all are provided due to space limitations.

Featured Links

At this site:

• Combination Oral Contraceptives
• Progestin-Only Oral Contraceptives (Mini-Pill)
• Extended Cycle Combined Oral Contraceptive Pills
• Contraceptive Injections
• Contraceptive Patch
• Vaginal Ring
• Implanon Contraceptive Implant
• Frequently Asked Questions about the Pill and Other Hormonal Methods

The following links are provided as an informational resource or counterpoint and are not necessarily endorsed by the author:

• Hormonal Birth Control and your Risk of HIV/AIDS
• Ethical Issues Regarding Post-Fertilization Effects of Oral Contraceptives: A physician discusses the ethical reasons he has decided to stop prescribing oral contraceptives, excerpted from Archives of Family Medicine, 2/2000
• The Pill: Christian Contraception
• Women's Health Initiative Study of the health effects of hormones on women

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