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Dylan Han(6) 2-5 Topic Chosen 1: Digestion Topic Chosen 2: Issues on Sex Links and Credits linkone linktwo Layout: hearteditorials Codes: -ambulance Icon: biconcave |
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
E-learning Day 4: 1 July 2008
Based on a alternating pattern, I'll be writing an entry based on a question created according to the topic, Issues On Sex. How do contraceptive pills work? From the word "contraceptive", I am able to more or less deduce that contraceptive pills prevent preganancy despite sexual contact. They are probably used as a means of family planning, for young couples who are not ready to have children due to lack of financial means. To find information related to the question, I decided to use the search engine http://google.com.sg/ to search for articles related to how contraceptive pills work. The use of contraceptive pills is closely tied to the menstrual cycle. Thus, it is necessary to explain the menstrual cycle briefly. At the beginning of the menstrual cycle, estrogen levels begin to rise. Estrogen is a form of hormone that is responsible for the development and growth of the woman's reproductive system. The lining of the uterus is thickened in preparation of a fertilized egg. An egg is released when estrogen levels peak, which occurs around halfway through the cycle and this is called ovulation. This occurs once a month. After ovulation, progesterone, another hormone, prepares the endometrium (lining of the uterus) for fertilized egg. When a fertilized egg implants itself in the uterine lining, conception or pregnancy begins. Menstruation begins when conception does not occur. The thickened uterine lining is shed and menstruation takes place. Estrogen and progesterone levels drop. The contraceptive pill acts as artificial estrogen and progesterone. They regulate these levels so the ovary does not receive the signal to release an egg. As such, fertilization and pregnancy is rendered impossible without an egg. Furthermore, the sperm is unable to reach the egg as the cervical mucus is thickened and the uterus becomes unreceptive to the implantation of the fertilized egg. There are several types of contraceptive pills. Some examples are Progestine-only pills (POP). These are ideal for breastfeeding women as less estrogen lower the amount of breastmilk produced and these pills do not have estrogen. The contraceptive pill is also sometimes known as the brith-control pill or simply "the Pill". Contraceptive pills:  Sources: http://www.healthywomen.org/healthtopics/birthcontrolpills http://www.healthywomen.org/healthtopics/estrogen http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contraceptive_pill http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/825/30012714.JPG |
