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Hormonal contraception

Animal coordination, control and homeostasis · The menstrual cycle and fertility control · note 3 of 5

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Hormonal contraceptionSpec 7.6

In short

Hormonal contraceptives contain oestrogen, progesterone or both, given as a pill, patch, injection or implant. They keep hormone levels high, so eggs do not mature and ovulation does not happen. Progesterone also makes the mucus at the cervix thicker, so sperm cannot get through to reach an egg. The pill does not kill sperm.

Hormonal contraceptives contain oestrogen, progesterone or both. They can be taken as a pill, or given as a patch, an injection or an implant under the skin.

The hormones keep levels in the body high. This stops the normal changes in hormone levels that cause eggs to mature and be released. The effects on the cycle and on pregnancy are:

  • Eggs do not mature, so ovulation does not happen. There is no egg to be fertilised.
  • Progesterone makes the mucus at the cervix thicker, so sperm cannot get through to reach an egg.
Higher tier (what this means)Higher tier: only on the Higher tier papers. Foundation students can skip it. What the labels mean

The oestrogen in the pill inhibits the release of FSH from the pituitary gland. With FSH kept low, eggs do not mature in the ovaries.

Common mistake:

The pill does not kill sperm or stop sperm being made. It works by stopping ovulation and thickening cervical mucus.

Written and checked against the Edexcel GCSE Combined Science (1SC0) specification · Updated October 2026

Frequently asked questions

What happens during the menstrual cycle?

The menstrual cycle repeats about every 28 days. On days 1 to 5 the uterus lining breaks down and is lost in menstruation. From day 5 to 14 oestrogen repairs the lining and it thickens. An egg is released at ovulation around day 14, then progesterone maintains the lining until day 28, ready for a fertilised egg.

What does FSH do in the menstrual cycle?

Higher tier FSH, released by the pituitary gland, causes an egg to mature in an ovary and stimulates the ovaries to produce oestrogen. As oestrogen rises it inhibits FSH and stimulates the release of LH, which causes ovulation. After ovulation, progesterone inhibits FSH and LH, so no more eggs mature while the uterus lining is maintained.

How do contraceptive pills prevent pregnancy?

Contraceptive pills contain oestrogen, progesterone or both, which keep hormone levels high. This stops eggs maturing, so ovulation does not happen and there is no egg to fertilise. Progesterone also makes the mucus at the cervix thicker, so sperm cannot reach an egg. The pill does not kill sperm or stop sperm being made.

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