Oral contraceptive formulations

Oral contraceptive formulations are a type of hormonal contraception specifically designed to be taken orally. They are primarily used to prevent pregnancy. The formulations are a combination of an estrogen and a progestogen (progestin).

Types of Oral Contraceptive Formulations

There are two main types of oral contraceptive formulations: combined oral contraceptives and progestogen-only pills.

Combined Oral Contraceptives

Combined oral contraceptive pills (COCPs) contain two types of hormones: estrogen and progestogen. They work by preventing ovulation, thickening the cervical mucus to prevent sperm from reaching the egg, and thinning the lining of the uterus to prevent a fertilized egg from implanting.

Progestogen-Only Pills

Progestogen-only pills (POPs), also known as mini-pills, contain only one type of hormone: progestogen. They work primarily by thickening the cervical mucus and thinning the lining of the uterus.

Efficacy

When used correctly, oral contraceptive formulations are highly effective at preventing pregnancy. However, their efficacy can be reduced if the user forgets to take a pill, takes a pill at the wrong time, or takes certain medications that interfere with the pill's absorption.

Side Effects

Like all medications, oral contraceptive formulations can cause side effects. Common side effects include nausea, breast tenderness, and changes in menstrual bleeding. More serious side effects, such as blood clots, stroke, and heart attack, are rare but can occur, especially in women who smoke and are over the age of 35.

History

The first oral contraceptive, Enovid, was approved by the FDA in the United States in 1960. Since then, many different formulations have been developed and approved for use.

See Also

• Contraception
• Hormonal contraception
• Emergency contraception

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