MyContraception-Woman

UNDERSTANDING HORMONES IN CONTRACEPTION

HORMONES TO PREVENT UNPLANNED PREGNANCY

Hormones occur naturally in the body, and they affect us all in different ways. Some methods of contraception contain hormones, which can affect your menstrual cycle and stop your from becoming pregnant when you don't want to be. Whether they act in the short term or the long term, their desired effect is similar.

CONTRACEPTION THAT USES HORMONES

There are several methods of contraception that use hormones to prevent unintended pregnancy. Here's a short overview of how they work.

THE HORMONAL COIL ALSO KNOWN AS THE IUS OR INTRAUTERINE SYSTEM

This is placed in your womb by a doctor or nurse. The IUS releases a progestogen hormone locally. This hormone thickens the cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to reach an egg, and it reduces the growth of the womb lining, which makes it harder for a fertilized egg to implant and develop.

THE CONTRACEPTIVE IMPLANT

This small rod is placed beneath the skin of your upper arm by a doctor or nurse, where it releases a progestogen hormone into the blood stream. The hormone prevents your ovaries from releasing an egg, and it thickens the cervical mucus making it harder for sperm to move around.

THE CONTRACEPTIVE INJECTION

An injection containing a progestogen hormone can be given by a doctor or nurse every 8-13 weeks, depending on the type, releases the hormone(s) into the blood stream where they stop the ovaries from releasing an egg and thicken the cervical mucus.

THE PILL

There are two different types of contraceptive pill. The combined pill contains a progestogen and oestrogen, whereas the progestogen-only pill contains only a progestogen. The different types of pill have different ways of working. The progestogen-only pill acts mainly to thin the womb lining and thicken the cervical mucus to prevent sperm from getting through. The combined pill additionally stops eggs from being released.

THE VAGINAL RING

The vaginal ring contains the hormones oestrogen and a progestogen. It sits inside your vagina and releases hormones that prevent pregnancy by preventing the release of an egg each month.

THE PATCH

The patch contains the hormones oestrogen and a progestogen. The patch can be placed on your skin, for example your arm, and it releases a daily dose of hormones through your skin into the blood stream to prevent pregnancy.

NEED ADVICE? SPEAK TO YOUR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL.

Speak to a healthcare professional for advice and support on your contraceptive needs.

KNOW YOUR OPTIONS

THE INTRAUTERINE SYSTEM (IUS)
– AKA THE HORMONAL COIL

The Hor­monal Coil is a small, soft T-shaped plas­tic frame that re­leases low lev­els of a prog­estin hor­mone for up to 3 to 6 years. It is given with a pre­scrip­tion and placed in your womb by a doc­tor or nurse.

IUS

THE INTRAUTERINE DEVICE (IUD)
– AKA THE COPPER COIL

The Copper Coil is a small, T-shaped plas­tic frame that has a copper wire. It is given with a pre­scrip­tion and placed in your womb by a doc­tor or nurse, where it prevents pregnancy for up to 5 to 10 years.

IUD

THE
IMPLANT

A small, flexible silicone rod that releases hormones for up to 3 to 5 years. It is given with a prescription and placed under the skin of your upper arm by a doctor or nurse.

Implant

THE COMBINED ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE PILL (COCP)

COCPs are tablets which may have to be taken every day, releasing the hormones oestrogen and progestogen to prevent pregnancy. They are often referred to as the Pill and you will need a prescription from your healthcare professional for these.

The COCP

THE PROGESTOGEN-ONLY PILL (POP)

POPs are tablets which have to be taken every day at the same time with no break between packs. These pills only contain a progestogen hormone so they can be taken by women for whom oestrogen-containing options are not suitable. They are also known as the mini-pill and you will need a prescription from your healthcare professional for these.

The POP

THE
INJECTION

An injection containing hormone(s) that is given with a prescription and administered by a doctor or nurse every 1 or 3 months.

Injection

THE
PATCH

A small, thin, skin-colored plastic square that sticks to the skin and releases hormones. It is given with a prescription and can be self-administered once a week.

Patch

THE
DI­APHRAGM

A silicone cup placed in the vagina that prevents sperm from reaching the womb. Though some are fitted by a doctor or nurse, most are self-administered with a prescription up to 24 hours before sex.

Diaphragm

THE
RING

A small, flexible ring that is self-administered with a prescription and placed in the vagina, where it releases hormones for 3 weeks.

Ring

THE
FEMALE CONDOM

An internal condom that works in the same way male condoms do, though it is placed in the vagina. It is self-administered and bought over the counter.

Female condom

THE
MALE CONDOM

A sheath placed over the erect penis to stop sperm from reaching the vagina, it is also the only method that helps lower the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It is self-administered and bought over the counter.

Male condom

NATURAL
PLANNING

Self-directed methods of avoiding pregnancy that includes menstrual cycle tracking and body temperature measurements to identify fertile days.

Natural Planning

SPERMICIDE

Creams, films, foams, gels and suppositories that contain chemicals to stop or kill sperm. These are bought over the counter and are self-administered.

Spermicide

WITHDRAWAL

Also known as ‘the pull-out method’, this self-directed method involves withdrawing the penis prior to ejaculation to avoid pregnancy.

Withdrawal

FEMALE
STERILISATION

A medical procedure performed by a doctor or nurse that blocks the fallopian tubes and removes the possibility of pregnancy.

Female sterilisation

MALE
STERILISATION

A medical procedure performed by a doctor or nurse that blocks the tubes carrying sperm.

Male sterilisation
COMPARE METHODS

CAN YOU RELATE?

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YOU WANT TO HAVE CONTROL OF YOUR CONTRACEPTION

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YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT RETURN TO FERTILITY

PP-PF-WHC-GB-0688 | Date of preparation: May 2021

© 2021 Bayer plc. All rights reserved

This website has been developed to raise awareness of the different contraceptive options available in the UK.

Always speak to a qualified healthcare professional for personal medical advice. Health information in this website is intended as general information and for UK audiences only. It is not intended to replace a consultation with a healthcare professional, nor is it intended to provide specific medical advice. The MyContraception campaign has been initiated, organised and funded by Bayer.