Hormonal Contraception

Abstract

The birth control pill, the first hormonal contraceptive method widely available to the public, transformed the way society viewed childbearing and sexuality. Since the 1960s, many different types of hormonal contraceptives have been developed and are now available to women. There are two main categories of hormonal contraceptives, combined hormonal contraceptives, which consist of oestrogen and progestin, and progestin-only contraceptives. Within each category, various methods and formulations exist, each with a different mechanism of action, efficacy, and side effect profile. Emergency contraception offers a post-coital method that can be used in cases where women did not use contraception at the time of intercourse or had a method failure (i.e. condom breakage). Several contraceptive methods have non-contraceptive benefits. Most methods decrease the risk of endometrial cancer and combined hormonal contraceptives decrease the risk of ovarian cancer. Many methods have been used in the treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding, dysmenorrhoea, premenstrual syndrome, and acne.