Oral contraception has become one of the most popular and commonly used hormonal contraceptive methods by women. Combination pills, which are otherwise known as ‘the pill’, consist of two artificial female hormones of oestrogen and progestogen as its active ingredients. The first of these combination pills was introduced in the 1960s.These pills have been proven to be almost 100% effective in protecting women from getting pregnant. These two artificial hormones help the pill in preventing pregnancy in three different ways.

What are mini pills?

Mini pills are also quite popular among women. Mini pills are often considered to be composed of a lighter dosage of hormones than the combination pills, but this is not the case. Mini pills are completely different than combination pills. Although they are similar in effect, mini pills consist of only one artificial female hormone of progestogen. With respect to this, they are often referred to as the ‘progestogen only pill’. Most of these pills work in two different ways to prevent pregnancy in women.

What are contraceptive patches?

Other than the popular oral contraceptive pills, the hormonal contraceptive method that is gaining popularity at a fast pace is contraceptive patches. These patches, just like combination pills, consist of artificial oestrogen and progestogen as their active ingredients. It is a thin beige patch which when applied releases the hormones into your body and protects you against pregnancy. The contraceptive patch has been proven to be almost 100% effective in preventing women from getting pregnant. The most popular contraceptive patch used by women around the world is Evra patch. You are required to apply the patch for 3 weeks and then take a break for the next 7 days.

What are contraceptive rings?

The other hormonal contraceptive method that is gaining popularity at a fast pace is contraceptive rings. The rings consist of two artificial female hormones of oestrogen and progestogen. It is a small, thin, flexible and light ring, which you are required to place inside your vagina. It works in three ways to protect you against pregnancy. Firstly it prevents ovulation from occurring so that an egg is not produced. It thickens the cervical mucus in your womb so that a sperm is unable to fertilize an egg. And lastly it makes the uterine line thinner, which makes it difficult for an egg to grow.

What is emergency contraception?

The above discussed hormonal contraceptive methods have been found to be almost 100% effective. But at times, contraceptive accidents such as failure of your daily contraception or condom slips or tears, can also lead to the complication of an unplanned pregnancy. In such situations, emergency contraception proves to be helpful for you. These contraceptives, which are otherwise known as morning after pills, can be taken within a certain time period after the contraceptive mishap. A range of emergency contraception is available on the market, which you can take between 72 hours or 120 hours after the mishap.