The revolution in medical field in the form of antibiotics has provided people with long and healthy life to people. The life expectancy has almost doubled. This increase in the population has led to many social problems in terms of food resources, environmental issues, employment, etc. To control these problems, population is required to be controlled. This has led to the concept of family planning. Family planning helps in taking the right decision about the timing to have a child and maintain a proper age difference between two children. It gives the methods to avoid pregnancy and helps in controlling population and avoiding health risks associated with premature births. Birth control pills were invented as one of the components of family planning. Antifertility drugs are nothing but chemical substances which will suppress the action of those hormones which promote pregnancy. These categories of drugs actually reduce the chances of pregnancy and act as a protection against unwanted pregnancy. These are made up of derivatives of synthetic progesterone or a combination of derivatives of progesterone and estrogen.
Antifertility drugs are actually synthetic hormones. When progesterone pills are taken, the mucus in the cervix gets thickened. This makes it very difficult for sperm to enter the uterus and fertilize the egg and hence chances of pregnancy are reduced. Progesterone is a hormone which suppresses ovulation in women. The synthetic progesterone derivatives are more potent as compared to natural progesterone. Norethindrone is a type of synthetic progesterone. It is one of the most commonly used antifertility drugs. Ethynylestradiol is a combination of derivatives of estrogen and progesterone. A synthetic steroid named mifepristone blocks the effects of Progesterone. It is also used as a “morning after pill” in many countries.
Benefits of Antifertility drugs
Generally these drugs do not show many side effects. However weight gain is the only issue known to be reported. If these drugs are taken in the proper dose, they are very useful. Given below are its significant benefits:
- They cause no interference in sexual activities
- Risk of unwanted pregnancy is reduced.
- They might cause the reduction in menstrual bleeding.
- They can be taken immediately after childbirth.
Consultation of a doctor is necessary before taking these drugs. The cycle of the medicine should be maintained. The chance of cancer in the uterus is reduced if the pills are taken in long-term dose. They also provide protection against pelvic inflammatory diseases.
