Contraceptive Pill
Biology: Cambridge International A Level, topic 15.1.14
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:
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.
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.
Test yourself on Contraceptive Pill
Which of these contraceptive methods has fewer side effects?
Which hormones does the combined contraceptive pill contain?
How often is the combined contraceptive pill taken?