15.1.14

Contraceptive Pill

Test yourself

Controlling Fertility - The Contraceptive Pill

Pharmaceutical companies have designed contraceptive pills. They reduce a woman’s fertility to reduce the likelihood of pregnancy. There are two main types of contraceptive pill:

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Progesterone-only pill

  • Stimulates the production of thick, sticky mucus, which is very difficult for any sperm to penetrate.
  • Inhibits the release of FSH, so that eggs don’t mature.
  • Just as effective as the combined pill but with fewer side effects.
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Combined pill

  • Contains both oestrogen and progesterone.
  • By taking it every day, enough oestrogen builds up in the female body to inhibit the production of FSH so that no eggs mature.

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1Cell Structure

2Biological Molecules

3Enzymes

4Cell Membranes & Transport

5The Mitotic Cell Cycle

6Nucleic Acids & Protein Synthesis

7Transport in Plants

8Transport in Mammals

9Gas Exchange

10Infectious Diseases

11Immunity

12Energy & Respiration (A2 Only)

13Photosynthesis (A2 Only)

14Homeostasis (A2 Only)

15Control & Coordination (A2 Only)

16Inherited Change (A2 Only)

17Selection & Evolution (A2 Only)

18Classification & Conservation (A2 Only)

19Genetic Technology (A2 Only)

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