The term "oral contraceptive pill" refers to a medication that is taken orally to prevent pregnancy. The spelling of this term can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription as follows: /ˈɔː.rəl ˌkɒn.trəˈsep.tɪv pɪl/. The first syllable is pronounced with an "aw" sound, and the second with a short "o." The stress is on the middle syllable. The final syllable of "contraceptive" is pronounced with a "tiv" sound, while "pill" has a short "i" and is pronounced with a single syllable.
The oral contraceptive pill, commonly referred to as "the pill," is a pharmaceutical drug designed to prevent pregnancy. It is a form of hormonal contraception that contains synthetic versions of female sex hormones, estrogen and progestin, or just progestin alone. Taken orally in the form of a pill, this medication inhibits ovulation, which is the release of eggs from the ovaries, thus preventing fertilization by sperm.
The oral contraceptive pill functions by altering the levels of hormones in a woman's body, often suppressing the production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The combined pill variant contains both estrogen and progestin, whereas the progestin-only pill exclusively contains progestin. These hormones work together to inhibit the maturation of eggs, thicken the cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to reach the egg, and thin the uterine lining, reducing the likelihood of implantation.
Oral contraceptive pills are typically taken daily in a 28-day cycle, with a specific pattern of active pills (containing hormones) and inactive pills (placebo pills or no pills) to allow for menstrual bleeding. Correct and consistent use of this contraceptive method can be highly effective, with a failure rate of less than 1% for typical use. It is important to note that oral contraceptive pills do not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and are primarily used as a contraceptive rather than a treatment for other medical conditions. Consulting a healthcare professional is recommended to determine if the pill is suitable and safe for an individual based on their health history and specific circumstances.