Hormonal Contraception Its Physiology

Physiology: Physiology of Hormonal Contraception

There are various hormonal birth control methods for females, including birth control pills, contraceptive skin patches, the vaginal ring, and hormone-releasing coils for contraception (1). The physiology involves avoiding ovulation and preventing the fertilization of eggs from embedding into the womb. Using other contraceptive methods, the mucus in the cervix creates a sticky and thick formulation that prevents the sperm from moving and reaching the right place for the egg cell. The woman must take the right dosage of these methods, such as pills; if she forgets to take her daily dose for one day, she might release eggs and become pregnant. The second method is a contraceptive skin patch which is measured to be 5x5cm in size. It is applied anywhere on the body except the breast and is changed every seven days, except the fourth week of every month when women have their periods. Again, if women forget to apply it for 24 hours, then the patch would no longer be effective in preventing pregnancy. The third method is called hormone-releasing coils for contraception, which are popular among females (2). It is a T-shaped plastic instrument inserted inside the vagina and a string attached for pulling them out when the time is. It functions with the release of hormone levonorgestrel hat lines around the womb to halt it from producing any fertilized eggs. Making mucus around the womb is the same feature that starts working once the doctor or nurse puts the appropriate position inside the female body. The contraceptive coil can work up to three to five years, depending upon the brand that has been used. Sometimes it can get out of place, so regular check-ups are necessary for the coils to prevent pregnancy. The last method used for hormonal contraception is the vaginal ring that has a diameter of 5cm (3). It can also be inserted deep within the vagina and taken out with a finger when the woman is about to have her week of periods. It is not used during those seven days but has to be put in aptly for three weeks to work effectively. Women cannot feel it if its position is right inside. The same time and same weekday need to be noted strictly for the ring to be removed and placed again for avoiding pregnancy.

All methods described in the above section prevent fertilization; however, it is still mandatory to keep an eye on the intake of medicines or timings of contraception placement. A method is deemed effective only when women feel it has lesser side effects, especially HIV infection, mostly observed in hormonal contraception methods. The vaginal ring is therefore considered better among the rest for pregnancy and HIV avoidance, along with an easier way of insertion and time management for next use (3).

The stated methods are effective based on their usage methodology since they have pros and cons. It depends on different female bodies and hormonal balances what method suits them best. For example, if a woman uses a vaginal ring but is uncomfortable while having sex as she might feel it inside her and irritate her, it would not be considered ‘abortificient.’ Moreover, some females have mentioned irregular bleeding other than seven days of their period with the usage of hormone-releasing contraception could, which again might not be abortificient for them either. Every woman has to experience a certain method herself and know her tolerance level for it; only then could it prove efficacious in disruption of implantation.