D. Oral Contraceptives- hormones suppress ovulation
1. Single-hormone therapy - Estrogen given two weeks to suppress LH and FSH. Progesterone given daily to make cervical mucus impervious to sperm.
2. Combined-hormone therapy - combination of estrogen and progesterone on a 25-day cycle.
• Bleeding starts one to four days after the last pill.
• Contraindications: family history of stroke, migraines, hypertension, diabetes, chronic renal disease, thrombophlebitis, tobacco use- smoking
• Side effects: nausea and vomiting, edema and weight gain, breakthrough bleeding, thrombophlebitis, pulmonary embolism, stroke
E. Intrauterine devices - thought to prevent implantation
1. Side effects: heavy menstrual bleeding, severe cramping, bleeding between periods
2. Complications: uterine perforation, infections
F. Long-acting methods
1. Implantable progestin (Norplant) - five years
2. Injectable progestin (Depo Provera) - one to three months
G. Permanent contraception
1. Male sterilization- vasectomy
2. Female sterilization- tubal ligation, hysterectomy (removal of uterus)
