For Parents

Health Encyclopedia
Staying Healthy
Health Encyclopedia

Birth control pill - series

Normal female anatomy

  

The internal female reproductive organs include the uterus, ovaries, cervix and vagina. These organs are necessary to produce a successful pregnancy. To prevent pregnancy, birth control pills affect how these organs normally function.

Normal female anatomy

FSH and LH from pituitary gland

  

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Lutenizing Hormone (LH) stimulate the ovary into producing a ripe egg ready for fertilization by sperm during a normal ovulation cycle.

FSH and LH from pituitary gland

Release of estrogen

  

During a normal menstrual cycle, hormones stimulate the ovary causing an egg to ripen. The uterine lining thickens preparing itself for implantation of a fertilized egg and the cervical mucus thins to help sperm reach the egg.

Release of estrogen

Release of LH

  

The estrogen in the body cause the pituitary gland to release LH stimulating the ovary to produce a ripe egg.

Release of LH

Birth control pill

  

The lower levels of estrogen in birth control pills supress FSH and LH "fooling" the pituitary gland into thinking a woman is pregnant. Ovulation will then not occur which prevents pregnancy.

Birth control pill

Progestin in pill

  

The progesterone in birth control pills creates a thick cervical mucus making it difficult for sperm to reach the uterus. It also impedes an egg from attaching itself to the uterine lining (endometrium) because of changes in the cellular structure of the lining.

Progestin in pill
 
Review Date: 5/6/2007
Reviewd By: Rachel A. Lewis, MD, FAAP, Columbia University Pediatric Faculty Practice, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
Rate this article:
1 Excellent - 4 Poor
Send a Comment:
Type the characters you see in the picture
CAPTCHA code image
Speak the codeChange the code