How Do Birth Control Pills Work?

Many people take them but often ask: How do birth control pills work? A lot of women prefer the use of pills because they can easily be purchased in local drugstores without the need of doctor's prescriptions and they are easy to use. So how do birth control pills work?

There are two classifications of birth control pills according to the hormones present, the progestin-only pills and the combination pills. The progestin-only pills contain only the progestin hormones and the combination pills contain both the synthetic hormones estrogen and progestin.

The synthetic estrogen works by preventing the ovaries from releasing an egg. When no eggs are released, the woman can't get pregnant. These hormones also work by suppressing the normal hormonal pattern in the body.

The synthetic progestin which is present in both pills works by thickening the cervical mucus which can hinder the sperm's movement, inhibiting the egg's ability to travel along the uterine tubes, suppressing the ability of the sperm to unite with the egg and altering the lining of the uterus so that implantation becomes difficult.

This is the mechanism of action of the pills in response to the question how do birth control pills work? When talking about birth control methods, it is also advisable to know how other methods work so that you'll know if other options are better choices for you. Here are other methods and how they work to prevent pregnancy:

The Barrier methods

These methods include male condom, female condom, cervical cap, and diaphragm. They work simply by physically blocking the entry of the sperms to the uterus. However, these devices are prone to breakage since they are made from thin materials. Another barrier method is the spermicides. Unlike condoms and cervical caps, this method uses chemicals to kill or inactivate the sperms.

Birth Control Patch

Birth control patch is a square patch that sticks to the skin. Once the patch is attached to the skin, it releases the hormones estrogen and progesterone which are absorbed through the skin and to the bloodstream. These hormones prevent pregnancy by preventing ovulation, thickening the cervical mucus and altering the linings of the uterus.

Depo-Medroxy Progesteron Acetate (DMPA)

Depo-medroxy progesterone acetate is a long acting method of birth control. It is injected intramuscularly either in the upper arm muscle or in the buttock. The subcutaneous route is given in the thighs or abdomen. Injections are given every 12 weeks on a regular basis. It works by preventing the release of an egg from the ovary, thinning the lining of the uterus and thickening the cervical mucus.

Intrauterine Device (IUD)

Intrauterine devices are of two types, the T-shaped devices and the standard IUDs. T-shaped IUDs are covered with coiled copper that acts as a natural spermicide. These IUDs produce prostaglandins within the uterus and leukocytes (white blood cells) which make the environment of the uterus hostile to both eggs and sperm. Standard IUD works by releasing a steady flow of progestin. It is also known to work because of its blockage mechanism.

These will surely help you decide which mechanism of action you prefer for your birth control method. However, it is always advisable to talk to your physician first. We hope this helps to answer your question on 'How do Birth control pills work?'