Boris DelićMentor: A. Žmegač Horvat

several different hormonal methods, according to:

1. the type of hormone 2. the amount of hormone 3. the way the hormone enters a woman's body

hormones can be estrogen and/or progesterone

the mode of delivery determines whether the hormonal exposure is continuous or intermittent

do not protect against sexually transmitted infections

97%-99% effective if used properly available since 1960 more than 10 million American women

currently use birth-control pills

two types of birth-control pills available:

1. the combination pill 2. the minipill

contains the hormones estrogen and progestin the eggs in the ovaries do not mature and the

woman does not ovulate

the 21-pill pack has pills for 21 "on" days and no pills for the seven "off" days that follow

the 28-pill pack has active pills for the first 21 "on" days and seven inactive (placebo) ones

contains one hormone, progestin

thickens the cervical mucus, making it more difficult for sperm to pass through the cervix

makes the lining of the uterus less receptive to the implantation of a fertilized egg

recommended for women who have medical reasons for which they must avoid taking estrogen hormones

there are no "on" or "off" days with the minipill

taking it at varying times of the day can significantly impair its effectiveness in contraception

if a woman misses one pill, she should take it as soon as she remembers

The pill may partially lose its effectiveness if a woman vomits or has diarrhea 

sedatives and some antibiotics such as penicillin and tetracycline may reduce the effectiveness of the pill

side effects: severe headache, leg cramps, change in vision, pain, chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, leg

swelling or pain

women who smoke and take the pill are at increased risk of heart disease and stroke

contraindications: clotting tendencies, coronary heart disease, stroke, breast lumps, vaginal bleeding, breast cancer

benefits: regularize a woman's menstrual cycle and reduce her menstrual flow and menstrual cramps

protect against cancer of the ovary and uterus as well as pelvic inflammatory disease and iron deficiency anemia, reduce acne, the risk of an ectopic pregnancy, noncancerous breast cysts and ovarian cysts, arthritis and osteoporosis

the combination pill confers no long-term risk of breast cancer

synthetic long-acting form of the hormone progesterone

acts by preventing the release of the egg from the ovary (ovulation) and by promoting thick cervical mucus that impedes the sperm's progress

effectiveness close to 100%

DMPA must be injected by a health-care professional every three months

available both as intramuscular or subcutaneous injections

after two years of use, 70% of women will have no menstrual bleeding

common side effects of DMPA injections are

irregular menstrual cycles, cessation of menstrual periods, and weight gain

greatly reduces the risk of developing uterine

cancer

hormonal contraception through the skin, known as transdermal delivery system

the patch is about the size of a half-dollar and can be worn on the arm, abdomen, or buttocks

a woman wears the patch for a week and then replaces it with a new patch

contains both estrogen and progesterone

suppresses ovulation and has the advantage of improved compliance and convenience

associated with a greater risk of negative side effects, such as blood-clotting problems

important to ensure that the patch makes good contact with the skin

some women may experience skin irritation at the site of the patch

ring-shaped device that contains the hormones estradiol and etonogetrel (a progestin) placed in the vagina

remains in place for three weeks continuously

then removed for one week to allow for a menstrual period

about 99% effective incidence of side effects similar to those

seen with other hormonal contraceptive methods

provide contraception by the slow release of the progestin etonogestrel over a period of three years

a thin rod that is inserted in the upper arm under local anesthesia

fertility rapidly returns after removal of the rod

generally well tolerated and effective in preventing pregnancy

irregular bleeding a possible side effect