Contraceptives

Q & A on hormonal contraception
For, Diepiriye S. Kuku-Siemons, MPH

1. What is Hormonal Contraception? What hormonal contraceptives are available in India?
Hormonal contraceptives consist of single or combination of female sex hormones: estrogen and progesterone. Synthetic progesterone is commonly called progestin " . Hormonal contraception is the most popular combined oral contraceptive pill (COC). Other hormonal contraceptives include injectables, subdermal implants that release progestin transdermal patch, vaginal ring, and emergency oral contraception.
2. What is the pill?
Combined or progestogen-only pills are taken daily and are an effective means of fertility control. If taken regularly and correctly, every year one in a hundred women using the pill was to become pregnant.
For many women, especially non-smokers under 35, the benefits of the pill outweigh the disadvantages. The modern oral contraceptive pills contain lower doses of hormones before and have less sideeffects. Since its introduction 40 years ago, users and researchers have confirmed many advantages of the contraceptive pill, including acne improved control of heavy menstrual cycles and reduced risk of osteoporosis and ovarian cancer , endometrial and colorectal cancers.
3. How does the pill?
During the menstrual cycle of women, the release of hormones triggers the ovaries from releasing an egg. At that time, the ovaries release other hormones, including estrogen and progesterone, designed to inhibit the other design. They are responsible for many changes in the body of a woman during the menstrual cycle.
The pill works mainly by:
Prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg
Thickening of mucus at the neck which makes it more difficult for sperm to enter the uterus
Minutes of the lining of the womb unsuitable for a fertilized egg to be implanted
4. What are combined oral contraceptives (COC)
Combined oral contraceptives containing a synthetic version of estrogen - called ethinyl - plus a synthetic version of progesterone, known as a progestin. The progestin in the pills are classified as either current "second generation" (eg, norethindrone, levonorgestrel) or "third generation" (eg, desogestrel or gestodene).
Some brands of birth control pills are taken for 21 days followed by a pause of seven days before the next course of 21 days. The dose of estrogen may be either a standard force - 30-35 micrograms or low resistance - 20 micrograms. Some products contain pills with two or three different doses of estrogen to be taken at different times of the cycle.
For women who can not take pills containing estrogen, or for those who want to avoid estrogen, progesterone only pill can be an alternative. The progestin-only pill, sometimes called the pill "mini" (wrong because it is smaller than the combined pill) is slightly less reliable than COCs, one is suitable for nursing mothers.
5. What are injecting?
The most common is hormonal injectable contraceptive Depo Prover a hormonal substance also known as DMPA (depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate) which is injected into the muscle of the arm or buttocks. Each injection provides contraceptive protection for three months without a daily hassle. injectable hormones prevent pregnancy by suppressing ovulation (egg formation) and thickening the cervical mucus making it difficult for sperm to enter. In addition, it also thins the lining of the endometrium. As a natural effect of this action, most women experience menstrual cycles innocuous changes that naturally return to normal soon after discontinuation of the method.