How Birth Control Pills Work, Animation

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hI2C7TsnSfk

Resumen

TLDRBirth control pills are hormonal medications designed to prevent pregnancy by suppressing ovulation. The most effective type is the combination pill, which contains both estrogen and progestin, the latter being a synthetic form of progesterone. These hormones disrupt the normal menstrual cycle, particularly by suppressing ovulation. During a typical menstrual cycle, the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and ovaries regulate hormone production leading to ovulation and preparation for potential pregnancy. Birth control pills inhibit this cycle by keeping the levels of estrogen and progesterone consistent, essentially tricking the body into believing ovulation has already occurred, thereby suppressing the release of eggs. The pills are taken daily for about three weeks, followed by one week of placebo pills, which triggers withdrawal bleeding. For individuals who cannot use estrogen or are lactating, mini-pills, which contain only progestin, are available but are less effective in preventing ovulation. Such pills primarily work by promoting the secretion of a thick cervical mucus to block sperm entry. Continuous-use pills can reduce or eliminate menstrual periods altogether, often benefiting women who have menstrual disorders like excessive bleeding or painful menstruation.

Para llevar

  • 💊 Birth control pills prevent pregnancy by suppressing ovulation.
  • 🔄 Combination pills contain estrogen and progestin, interfering with the menstrual cycle.
  • ⏳ Pills are taken daily for three weeks, followed by one week of placebo.
  • 🚫 Mini-pills contain only progestin, useful for those who cannot tolerate estrogen.
  • 🩸 Withdrawal bleeding occurs during the placebo week, mimicking a menstrual period.
  • 🚺 Continuous-use pills may benefit women with menstrual disorders by reducing periods.
  • 🧠 The hypothalamus and pituitary gland regulate the menstrual cycle through hormone secretion.
  • 💉 FSH and LH are key hormones in egg maturation and ovulation.
  • 👶 High estrogen and progesterone levels suppress ovulation during pregnancy.
  • 🔄 Hormone levels after ovulation are mimicked in combination pills, preventing egg release.

Cronología

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    Birth control pills are medications containing hormones to prevent ovulation, specifically the combination pill, which has estrogen and progestin. These hormones disrupt normal menstrual cycles, preventing the egg release necessary for pregnancy. The menstrual cycle, regulated by hormones from the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and ovaries, involves egg release and uterus lining preparation for pregnancy. Hormones FSH and LH trigger egg maturation and release, while estrogen and progesterone levels rise post-ovulation to suppress further egg release. Birth control pills mimic post-ovulation hormone levels, keeping FSH and LH low to prevent egg maturation. They are taken daily for three weeks, followed by a placebo week inducing withdrawal bleeding. There are also mini-pills with only progestin, suitable for lactating or estrogen-intolerant women, though less effective at preventing ovulation as they work by thickening cervical mucus.

Mapa mental

Vídeo de preguntas y respuestas

  • What are birth control pills used for?

    Birth control pills are used to prevent pregnancy by suppressing ovulation with hormones.

  • What do combination pills contain?

    Combination pills contain both estrogen and progestin.

  • How do birth control pills prevent pregnancy?

    They prevent pregnancy by interfering with the menstrual cycle to stop ovulation.

  • How often are birth control pills taken?

    Birth control pills are taken daily for three weeks followed by a week of placebo pills.

  • What happens during the placebo week of birth control pills?

    During the placebo week, hormone levels fall, triggering withdrawal bleeding.

  • What are mini-pills?

    Mini-pills contain only progestin and are an alternative for those who cannot tolerate estrogen.

  • What effect do mini-pills have on preventing pregnancy?

    Mini-pills rely on thickening cervical mucus to prevent sperm entry, rather than blocking ovulation.

  • Who might benefit from continuous-use contraceptive pills?

    Women suffering from menstrual disorders, such as excessive bleeding or pain, may benefit from continuous-use pills.

  • What hormones are suppressed by birth control pills?

    Birth control pills suppress FSH and LH to prevent ovulation.

  • How do estrogen and progesterone function in birth control pills?

    They mimic post-ovulation hormone levels, tricking the ovaries into halting egg maturation and release.

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  • 00:00:02
    Birth control pills are medication used to  prevent pregnancy. They contain hormones that
  • 00:00:08
    suppress ovulation. The most effective type  is the combination pill which contains both
  • 00:00:13
    estrogen and progestin - a synthetic form of  progesterone. These 2 hormones interfere with
  • 00:00:19
    the normal menstrual cycle to prevent ovulation. The menstrual cycle refers to the monthly events
  • 00:00:25
    that occur within a woman’s body in preparation  for the possibility of pregnancy. Each month,
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    an egg is released from an ovary in a  process called ovulation. At the same time,
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    the lining of the uterus thickens, ready for  pregnancy. If fertilization does not take place,
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    the lining of the uterus is shed in menstrual  bleeding and the cycle starts over. The menstrual
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    cycle is under control of multiple hormones  secreted by the hypothalamus, pituitary gland,
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    and ovaries. Basically, the hypothalamus produces  gonadotropin-releasing hormone, GnRH; the
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    pituitary secretes follicle-stimulating hormone,  FSH, and luteinizing hormone, LH; while the
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    ovaries produce estrogen and progesterone. These  hormones are involved in a regulatory network that
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    results in monthly cyclic changes responsible  for ovulation and preparation for pregnancy.
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    The 2 hormones that are required for ovulation  are: FSH, which starts the cycle by stimulating
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    immature follicles to grow and produce a  mature egg; and LH, which is responsible for
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    the release of the egg from the ovary - the  ovulation event itself. Two other hormones,
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    estrogen and progesterone, are at high levels  after ovulation, in the second half of the
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    cycle. They suppress FSH and LH during this time,  preventing the ovaries from releasing more eggs.
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    If fertilization occurs, estrogen and progesterone  levels remain high throughout pregnancy,
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    providing a continuous suppression of ovulation.  On the other hand, in the absence of pregnancy,
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    their levels fall, causing menstrual bleeding. The levels of estrogen and progesterone in
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    the combination pills mimic the  hormonal state after ovulation,
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    tricking the ovaries into thinking that ovulation  has already occurred; FSH and LH are constantly
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    suppressed, no egg is matured or released. The pills are taken every day for three weeks,
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    followed by one week of placebo pills containing  no hormones. During the week of placebos,
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    estrogen and progesterone levels fall, triggering  a so-called withdrawal bleeding, or fake
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    periods. The bleeding serves as a convenient  indication that fertilization did not happen,
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    but it is not required for birth control. In fact,  there exist continuous-use contraceptive pills
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    with less or no placebos, resulting in less or no  menstrual periods. These pills are particularly
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    beneficial for women who suffer from menstrual  disorders such as excessive menstrual bleeding,
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    painful menstruation and endometriosis. For lactating women, or those who cannot
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    tolerate estrogen, there are mini-pills that  contain only progestin. These are not as
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    effective as combination pills at preventing  ovulation. Their effect relies more on the
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    ability of progestin to promote secretion of a  thick cervical mucus to obstruct sperm entry.
Etiquetas
  • birth control
  • contraceptives
  • ovulation
  • estrogen
  • progestin
  • menstrual cycle
  • combination pill
  • mini-pill
  • hormones
  • pregnancy prevention