women s health issues
Hormonal Methods of Contraception
Introduction
Contraceptive hormones can be Taken by mouth (oral contraceptives) Inserted into the vagina (vaginal rings) Applied to the skin (patch) Implanted under the skin Injected into muscle The hormones used to prevent conception includeestrogenand progestins (medications similar to the hormoneprogesterone).Estrogenand progestins are the main hormones involved in the menstrual cycle. Hormonal methods prevent pregnancy mainly by stopping the ovaries from releasing eggs (ovulation) or by keeping mucus in the cervix thick so that sperm cannot pass through the cervix into the uterus. Thus, hormonal methods prevent the egg from being fertilized. All hormonal methods can have similar side effects and restrictions on use. 