Pills and mini-pills
The pill and the mini-pill are hormonal contraception forms that act via synthetically produced sexual hormones, estrogen and gestagen. The two hormones in the pill inhibit the maturation of the egg cells and egg release, and alter the viscosity of the mucus in the uterine canal. This makes it difficult for sperm to reach the womb. In addition, the womb lining is thinner, thereby reducing the chance of an egg embedding itself in the womb. The pill has to be taken daily, usually with a pill-free break of 7 days.

The mini-pill contains a gestagen only. Here too, the lining of the womb is thinner, and the mucus at the neck of the womb is more viscous. The mini-pill also often inhibits egg release.

The mini-pill has to be taken every day at the same time plus or minus 2 hours so as not to lose the protective effect.

Both the pill and the mini-pill are considered very reliable, and are the most commonly used forms of contraception. Because these highly effective medicaments act on many organ systems, they are not free of side effects.
They are prescribed by doctors.

Coils and hormonal coils
Coils (intrauterine device = IUD) and hormonal coils (intrauterine system = IUS) are inserted by the doctor into the womb where they remain for 2-5 years.

The coil - actually a physical contraceptive device - acts like a foreign body in the womb and induces the body to send out defense cells that recognize sperm and egg cells as foreign bodies and destroy them. The copper coating of the coil also releases copper ions that inhibit the motility of the sperm cells.

Hormonal coils combine the modes of action of the pill and the coil. They protect against pregnancy by virtue of their function as a foreign body in the womb as well as releasing hormones from the depot. This alters the structure of the lining of the womb as well as the viscosity of the mucus at the neck of the womb. A coil can only be inserted into the womb by a doctor.

Hormonal implants
With hormonal implants, a small rod with a slow-release hormone is implanted just under the skin of the upper arm. From there the gestagen is released in small amounts into the body. The action is similar to that of the mini-pill. The implant acts up to five years and like the coil, has to be inserted by a doctor.

Three-month injections /
injectable hormonal contraceptives
Every three months a gestagen is injected into the buttock as a so-called "depot" injection and prevents egg release. In many cases, periods stop altogether. The three-month injection must be prescribed and given by a doctor. Side effects may occur due to the high dose of hormone injected. Furthermore, once the injections are stopped, it might take a long time for the cycle to return to normal.

Journex through the history of contraception >>>

Permanent protection   >>>
Spontaneous protection   >>>
Other methods  >>>
Direct help for contraception mishaps  >>>
Unplanned pregnancy  >>>

Safty comparison between diffrent contraceptives >>>