Oral Contraceptive

Oral contraceptive, or oral contraceptives, is one of the most common methods of contraception in women. They are a medicine containing one or more synthetic female sex hormones that help prevent pregnancy.

The main mechanism of action of oral contraceptives is to suppress the process of ovulation - the release of a mature egg from the ovaries. Most oral contraceptives contain both estrogen and progestogen, which affect the pituitary gland, interfering with its normal control of the menstrual cycle. Progestogens also affect the lining of the uterus and the viscosity of mucous discharge from the vagina and cervix, which significantly reduces the likelihood of fertilization of the egg.

Oral contraceptives are usually taken daily for three weeks, then stopped for a week at the onset of menstruation. This regimen of use helps maintain stable levels of hormones in a woman’s body, which reduces the likelihood of unwanted pregnancy.

However, like any other drug, oral contraceptives have side effects. Some of the most common side effects include headache, weight gain, nausea, skin changes and depression. There is also a risk of venous blood clots, especially in the leg veins, which can lead to pulmonary embolism. With long-term use of hormonal contraceptives, a decrease in the ability to fertilize is sometimes observed.

It should be noted that when using oral contraceptives, less than one in a hundred women per year may develop an unwanted pregnancy. However, when using progestogen-only mini pills, a woman may be more likely to develop an unwanted pregnancy (may develop in 1-2 out of 100 women per year), but the side effects from taking these pills are less pronounced due to lack of estrogen in them.

In addition to oral contraceptives, there are also other hormonal methods of contraception such as injections and implants. Each method has its own characteristics, and the choice of contraceptive method should be made taking into account the individual characteristics of the woman and her health.

In conclusion, oral contraceptive is one of the most common methods of contraception in women. It helps prevent pregnancy by suppressing the ovulation process and affecting the hormonal balance in a woman's body. However, like any other medicine, oral contraceptives have side effects, which can include headaches, weight gain, nausea, skin changes and depression. When using oral contraceptives, it is also possible to develop venous blood clots and reduce the ability to fertilize.

The choice of contraception method should be based on the individual characteristics of the woman and her health. Therefore, before you start using oral contraceptives or any other method of contraception, you should consult with a specialist and get recommendations on which method will be most appropriate in your given situation.



Contraceptives: Oral contraceptives are medications prescribed to women to prevent unplanned pregnancy. They are based on taking one or more hormonal drugs that cause a change in basal body temperature and the cycle of uterine contractions.

How does oral contraception work?

This medication contains hormones that affect a woman's menstrual cycle - suppressing ovulation and increasing the viscosity of cervical secretions. Thus, they prevent sperm from reaching the eggs and faking fertilization. Most often, oral contraceptives are taken in pill form and contain progestrelone. This hormone promotes hormonal changes, which often leads to mood changes and fatigue. Hormonal contraceptives are divided as follows: - Tablets: tablets - minipills or patch rings. - Progestin tablets: tablets containing only progestogen and are also called monophasic tablets. - Hormonal injectable contraceptives.

Side effects that may result from taking contraceptives include menstrual irregularities, headache, nausea, swelling, obesity or weight loss, depression, acne, dizziness and irritability. In addition, these drugs may increase the risk of blood clots and high blood pressure. Contra