The pill, intrauterine device, the patch, injections, condoms – the list of available birth control goes on and on and comes in all forms and variations, giving women more options to prevent pregnancy than ever before.
Although birth control has been practiced for centuries, even documented in biblical times, the first form of birth control (the pill) has only been around since 1960. Fifty-six years later, the pill remains one of the most popular forms of pregnancy prevention.
The pill is still popular for a lot of reasons including the ease of use – 1 pill taken by mouth every day – and if taken properly, the pill is 99.9% effective.
If you’re like me, your physician may have prescribed you birth control, but you probably haven’t taken the time to read up on how it works.
So how does hormonal contraception keep you from getting pregnant?
Pregnancy happens when an egg is released from the ovary, fertilized with sperm and attaches to the uterine wall. The process of releasing an egg from the ovary (ovulation), is controlled by hormones in the body and when these hormones are interrupted, the outcome is that no egg is released and fertilization not possible.
Hormonal contraception interrupts ovulation by releasing small amounts of man-made estrogen and progestin hormones that inhibit the natural cyclical hormones. It also prevents ovulation and changes the cervical mucus in such a way that makes it difficult for sperm to make its way through the cervix to find an egg.
Researchers are continually finding new ways to improve oral contraception to make it easier, more effective and more appealing. New options like the mini pill and a seasonal pill that reduces the number of menstrual cycles we have are ways the pill is improving.
To learn about ways you can get involved in new birth control research, click below:
