Many hormone levels are affected in the body during pregnancy. Several hormones play major roles during pregnancy. These are: Human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (hCG). This hormone is only made during pregnancy. It is made almost
exclusively in the placenta. HCG hormone levels found in the mother's blood and urine rise a lot during the first trimester. They may play a part in the nausea and vomiting often linked to pregnancy. Human placental lactogen (hPL). This hormone is also known as human chorionic somatomammotropin. It is made by the placenta. It gives nutrition to the fetus. It also stimulates milk glands in the breasts for breastfeeding. Estrogen.
This group of hormones helps develop the female sexual traits. It is normally formed in the ovaries. It is also made by the placenta during pregnancy to help maintain a healthy pregnancy. Progesterone. This hormone is made by the ovaries and by the placenta during pregnancy. It stimulates the thickening of the uterine lining for implantation of a fertilized egg. OverviewWhat
Is It? Since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved "the pill" in 1960, it has become the most popular and one of the most effective forms of reversible birth control ever invented. According to The Guttmacher Institute, among U.S. women who use birth control, more than 27 percent use the pill. A 2013 National Health Statistics Report says that 82 percent of women who use contraception have used the pill at some point. Since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved "the pill" in 1960, it has become the most popular and one of the most effective forms of reversible birth control ever invented. According to Planned Parenthood, among U.S. couples who use birth control, more than 30 percent use the pill. In recent years, birth control pills have changed to include less hormones, resulting in fewer side effects. In fact, almost all healthy women who don't smoke may use birth control pills, regardless of their age. Unlike the original oral contraceptives, low-dose pills have few health risks for most women and even offer some health benefits, such as lighter periods (which reduce risk of anemia), less severe menstrual cramps and lessening of acne breakouts. Birth control pills do carry some health risks. For example, if you are over 35 and smoke or have certain medical conditions such as a history of blood clots or breast or endometrial cancer, your health care professional may advise against taking oral contraceptives. Also, birth control pills do not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), the virus that causes AIDS, or HPV, the human papillomavirus that can cause cervical cancer. Unlike forms of birth control sold over the counter, you need a health care professional's prescription to purchase birth control pills, and many health insurers cover their cost. The one exception is the emergency birth control pill, Plan B One-Step, which is sold over the counter. Understanding Your Menstrual Cycle At the beginning of each menstrual cycle, levels of the hormone estrogen begin to rise. Estrogen helps thicken the bloody lining of the uterus (endometrium) to prepare for a fertilized egg. Once estrogen levels peak, about 14 days into the menstrual cycle, one of the ovaries releases one or more eggs—this release is called ovulation. After ovulation, levels of another reproductive hormone—progesterone—rise to help prepare the uterus to receive a fertilized egg by thickening its lining. The egg travels through the fallopian tubes toward the uterus, and if the egg is fertilized and successfully implants itself in the uterine lining, conception (pregnancy) takes place. If conception does not occur, both estrogen and progesterone levels drop, signaling the now thickened uterine bloody lining to slough off or shed, and menstruation begins. How Birth Control Pills Work Birth control pills are a synthetic form of the hormones progesterone and estrogen. They prevent ovulation by maintaining more consistent hormone levels. Without a peak in estrogen, the ovary doesn't get the signal to release an egg. Remember that no egg means no possibility for fertilization and pregnancy. The pill also thickens cervical mucus so the sperm cannot reach the egg. It makes the lining of the uterus unreceptive to the implantation of a fertilized egg. How to Take Birth Control Pills There are a few different ways you can start to take birth control pills. Discuss the pros and cons of the following methods with your doctor:
No matter when you start taking birth control pills, you will need to start each new pack on the same day of the week that you began your first pack. For example, if you start taking your birth control pills on a Monday, you will always begin taking them on a Monday. Keep in mind that birth control pills only work if you take them every day. They do not accumulate or collect in your body, which is why you must take a pill every day! You shouldn't skip pills (on purpose or by accident) or stop taking them, even if you're not having sex often. Also be aware that certain medications, such as certain antibiotics taken for a long time, can make your birth control pills less effective. If you regularly have diarrhea or vomiting, that can interfere with absorption of the pill. If you miss a pill or have gastrointestinal problems or are taking medication that could interfere with your birth control pills, use a backup method for the rest of your cycle. Just remember, don't stop your birth control pills. Types of Birth Control Pills The three most common types of birth control pills are combination pills and progesterone only pills (POP). Combination pills contain both estrogen and progestin. Each pill in the pack contains a combination
of these two hormones. Progesterone Only Pills contain no estrogen. Called the progestin-only pill, or "mini-pill," it's ideal for breastfeeding women because estrogen reduces milk production. It's also ideal for women who cannot take estrogen. Both types are equally effective, and you should work with your doctor to determine the one that's right for you. There are also and emergency contraceptive pills, which are not intended to be used regularly as a contraceptive. They are designed to
prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex (when standard contraceptives fail or no method was used). Health Benefits of Birth Control Pills Risks & Side Effects of Birth Control Pills Despite the fact that they are safe for most women, BCPs do carry some health risks. For example, if you are over 35 and smoke or have certain medical conditions such as a history of blood clots or breast or endometrial cancer, your health care professional may advise against taking BCPs. Also, birth control pills do not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), the virus that causes AIDS, or HPV, the human papillomavirus that can cause cervical cancer. Unlike other forms of birth control sold over-the-counter, you need a health care professional's prescription to purchase BCPs, and many health insurers cover their cost. The one exception is the emergency birth control pill, Plan B One-Step, which is sold over the counter. Types of PillsThe three most common types of birth control pills are: 1. Combination Pills. When you hear the term "birth control pill," it most often refers to oral contraceptives containing estrogen and progestin. Each pill in the pack contains a combination of these two hormones. Combination birth control pills may be monophasic, where each of the active pills contains the same amount of estrogen and progestin and all the pills will be the same color, or multiphasic where the active pills contain varied amounts of hormones designed to be taken at specific times throughout the pill-taking schedule. The multiphasic pills will be different colors to indicate the hormonal dose changes. There are a few different ways you can take combination pills—for 21 days, 28 days, 91 days or continuously.
In order to skip their periods (in other words, to create continuous birth control pills on their own), some women take their 21-day pills continuously or refrain from taking the sugar pills in the 28-day pack so they are only ever taking pills that contain hormones. This may work best for women using monophasic pills. If you're considering this option, discuss it first with your health care provider. Additionally, be aware that insurance may not cover pills used in this way. Advantages of combination pills:
Disadvantages:
Possible side effects:
Ask yourself the following questions to determine if combined birth control pills are a good option for you:
Advantage of POPs:
Disadvantages:
Possible side effects:
Ask yourself the following questions to determine if POPs are the right choice for you:
ella can prevent pregnancy when taken orally within five days (120 hours) after unprotected sex. It is a progesterone agonist/antagonist whose likely main effect is to inhibit or delay ovulation. ella cuts the chances of becoming pregnant by about two-thirds for at least 120 hours after unprotected sex, studies have shown. Plan B One-Step should be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex. Recent research shows that the levonorgestrel pills may be effective up to 120 hours after unprotected sex but are more effective the sooner they are taken. Next Choice works similarly to Plan B One-Step, but consists of a two-dose regimen, with the first dose taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex and the second 12 hours later. Newer studies indicate that both pills may be taken together as soon as possible after unprotected sex. You can buy the levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive pills over the counter without a prescription. You must ask for them at the pharmacy counter. ella is available only by prescription, but women could keep a supply at home. For information on emergency contraception, visit www.not-2-late.com or call 1-888-NOT-2-LATE or 1-800-230-PLAN to locate a health care professional who can help you. The website and hotlines also provide information on which pharmacies sell emergency contraceptives because not all pharmacies carry them. In addition, certain regular oral contraceptive pill packs can be used for emergency contraception if you take several pills at the same time (the exact quantity depends on the brand), but make sure you check with your health care professional for proper dosage and timing. To learn more about how ECPs work and how to get them, ask your health care professional or pharmacist. Or visit the Internet site for emergency contraception operated by the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals and the Office of Population Research at Princeton University (ec.princeton.edu). Advantages of ECP:
Disadvantages:
Possible side effects:
Ask yourself the following questions to determine if you should have ECPs on hand or know where to find them:
BenefitsBirth control pills provide certain health benefits in addition to preventing pregnancy. Before you start taking oral contraceptives, discuss the health benefits and risks with a health care professional. Like any other medication, birth control pills can cause side effects; they may interact with other medications you may take; or they may not be a good choice for you because of your personal health history. Some of the main health benefits and risks associated with birth control pills are listed below:
Risks
Possible drug interactions Some drugs can reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. Likewise, oral contraceptives can interfere with the effects of some drugs. These include:
If you take any medication either on a short- or long-term basis, be sure to ask your health care professional or pharmacist about possible interactions with birth control pills and how you should avoid or manage them. For example, you may need to use an additional contraceptive (such as condoms) as a backup contraceptive method or take a higher or lower-dose pill formulation. Facts to Know
Questions to AskReview the following Questions to Ask about birth control pills so you're prepared to discuss this important health issue with your health care professional:
Key Q&A
Yes, there are several reasons to consider skipping the pill-free interval. You could actually skip the placebos and take only the hormone pills for these reasons:
Organizations and SupportFor information and support on Birth Control Pills, please see the recommended organizations, books and Spanish-language resources listed below. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
(ACOG) American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) Bedsider.org Emergency Contraception Hotline Guttmacher Institute National Women's Health Network (NWHN) Planned Parenthood Federation of America Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) Books A Gynecologist's Second Opinion: The Questions & Answers You Need to Take Charge of Your Health The Yale Guide to Women's Reproductive Health: From Menarche to Menopause Spanish-language resources Planned Parenthood: The Pill Women's Health What is the action of progestins when they are taken to treat an abdominal period?Progestins work by causing changes in the uterus. After the amount of progestins in the blood drops, the lining of the uterus begins to come off and vaginal bleeding occurs (menstrual period). Progestins help other hormones start and stop the menstrual cycle. .
What is the mechanism of action for progestin?Mechanism of Action
Most progestins exert their contraceptive effects by suppressing the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) by the hypothalamus and luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) by the pituitary gland. This suppression alters the menstrual cycle to suppress ovulation.
Which action does progesterone play during the menstrual cycle?During the menstrual cycle
Progesterone helps to prepare the body for pregnancy by stimulating glandular development and the development of new blood vessels. This provides a good environment for implantation by a fertilized egg.
What are the actions of progesterone quizlet?What is the function of the hormone progesterone? The hormone progesterone helps to maintain the endometrium (which nourishes the embryo) and thickens the cervix.
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