Question: How Does Little Birth Control Pills Prevent Pregnancy?
Answer: Birth control pills, also known as oral contraceptives (OC's) have the main goal each month of preventing your reproductive system from releasing an egg. Generally speaking, hormonal contraceptives mainly work by suppressing ovulation. If the ovary does not release an egg, then there is nothing there for a sperm to fertilize. Another way that these contraceptives prevent pregnancy is that they encourage the cervical mucous to be thick and tacky. When sperm try to get through the cervix (the opening to the uterus), this sticky mucous makes it hard for them to swim. These methods also decrease the ability of the fallopian tubes to move the egg toward the sperm. Additionally, they help to make the lining
of the uterus less receptive to implantation.
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