Question

textbook: Costanzo, L.S. (2018). Physiology (6th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier. ISBN: 9780323478816 (e-book – 9780323511896).

Based on readings from chapter 10 of the Physiology textbook and further scientific research into current literature, discuss the following in 400 words minimum.

1. Give a description of the physiologic basis of the different types of hormonal birth control.

2. Based on the physiology described in Q1, identify which of these prevent fertilization

3. Based on the physiology in Q1, identify which of these prevent or disrupt implantation (abortificient).

4. Identify other clinical uses of combined oral contraceptive pills

Answer 1

Physiological basis of hormonal birth control :

Birth control is of many types.

◆Barrier methods such as condoms.

◆Birth control pills that prevent ovulation .

◆IUD or intrauterine devices

◆hormonal methods .

Hormonal method :

Hormonal birth control is achieved by preventing ovulation.This is also done by preventing implantation.Most of the method are made of steroid hormones. Most popular methods are oral and injectable ones.

Two types of hormonal method is there.

●First one is combined method.They contain both estrogen and progestin

they suppress ovulation and thickens cervical mucus.

●The second method is progestogen-only method.They contains only progesterone.This reduces the frequency of ovulation and depends on the changes in cervical mucus

Mechanism of action:

•Hormonal method inhibit gonadotropin release.

•It causes uterine contractions

•It also causes tubal contractions

•It makes endometrium unsuitable for implantation

•estrogen reduces FSH and progestin reduces LH

•both combine to inhibit mid cycle LH surge and prevents ovulation

•combined estrogen progestin birth control pills and progestin only pills prevents ovulation by preventing pituitary gland's release ofhormone that stimulate ovulation.

Methods that prevent fertilization

These includes estrogen and progestins

They are similar to progesterone hormone

They prevent pregnancy by preventing ovaries from releasing eggs

They also makes cervical mucus so thick that sperm cannot be passed to the uterus

Copper IUD also prevent fertilization.

Methods that prevent implantation:

These include intrauterine devices IUD and emergency pill.

They prevent fertilized egg from implantation in the uterus

Progesterone only IUDs prevent implantation by disrupting proliferate secretary maturation process and prevents implantation.

Other clinical uses of combined oral contraceptive pill:

These are a combination of estrogen and progesterone

They are also used to treat conditions like endometriosis ,Polycystic ovary syndrome, adenomyosis ,hirsutism, menstrual cramps,menorrhagia,dysmenorrhea,migraine (menstrual related).

Endometriosis

Combined pills suppress the growth of extrauterine endometrial tissue and thus reduces pelvic pain related with endometriosis

Polycystic ovary syndrome

This condition is caused by hormonal imbalance

Women with PCOS have high level of estrogen.

Hormonal contraceptive helps in regulating this hormone imbalance.

Adenomyosis

In this condition also endometrial tissue is grown into the myometrium

This can be treated with combined oral contraceptive pills(COCP).