What are hormones?
Hormones are substances in your body that make sure that your organs function properly. Hormones can have an effect on your body, your health or your mood. Some contraceptives, like the pill or the hormonal coil (IUS), also contain hormones. These hormones make sure that you don’t get pregnant.
What do hormones do?
- They help your genitals develop
- They have an effect on hair growth
- They have an effect on menstruation
- They have an effect on sperm production
- They have an effect on how your muscles grow
- They have an effect on the fat in your skin
- They can make you feel cheerful or make you feel sad or depressed
Sex hormones
It is sex hormones that regulate the growth of genitals before the birth of a child: penis, testicles, vulva, vagina, uterus. During puberty, these hormones bring about changes in your body. Then when you have sexual fantasies or dreams, or see, hear or feel something sexy, the sex hormones help you get sexually aroused. They also play an important part in conception and pregnancy.
Hormones in contraception
Some contraceptives contain the hormones progesterone and estrogen. These prevent pregnancy.
Progesterone
Progesterone makes sure that a woman’s eggs do not mature. And if an egg is produced, then it cannot get implanted in the uterus. The hormone also makes it difficult for sperm cells to reach the egg.
Estrogen
Estrogen makes sure that mucus builds up in a woman’s uterus. If you use a hormonal contraceptive, then the mucus will be released in the contraceptive-free week. This seems like natural menstrual bleeding but is actually an artificial bleed.
Progesterone:
- Mini Pill
- contraceptive injection
- contraceptive implant
- hormonal coil (IUS)
Progesterone and estrogen:
What’s right for you?
Which hormonal contraceptive is the best one for you? That depends on your health, medicine use, age, lifestyle and any history of family illness. Talk to your doctor about the option that can work best for you, or stop by Fundashon Famia Plania.
Are the hormones in contraceptives bad for you?
No. Your body also produces hormones. Hormones reduce the risk of certain diseases. On the other hand, hormones do put you at greater risk of developing thrombosis or heart disease. Especially if you smoke. Discuss with your doctor what your best option is.
Do hormones have any side effects?
Positive side effects
- Less acne
- Less period pain
- Less severe bleeding during your period
- Slightly less risk of some types of cancer
Negative side effects
Do you take the pill? Or use a contraceptive patch or contraceptive ring? These contain the hormones estrogen and progesterone and could give you:
- Headaches
- Irregular blood loss
- Painful breasts
- Nausea
- Low moods
- Weight gain
- Reduced sex drive
Do you have a hormonal coil (IUS), contraceptive implant or contraceptive injections. Or take the mini pill? These only contain the hormone progesterone and could give you:
- Irregular blood loss
- Headaches
- Acne
- Hair loss
- Painful breasts
- Low moods
- Weight gain
Contraception without hormones
Reliable contraceptives with no hormones are: the copper coil (IUD), male and female condoms and the contraceptive diaphragm (cap).
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