Birth Control Ring
The birth control ring is a local device made of a soft and flexible material that is inserted in the vagina. It slowly releases hormones into the blood stream so as to influence the uterus and the ovaries and thus prevent pregnancy. The birth control ring contains two main ingredients: progesterone and estrogen, both with a role in the function of the reproductive system. The effect consists in the blocking of the ovulation, which means that no egg is released in the uterus. Another anatomical modification consist in the thickening of the cervical mucus and the changes in the uterine lining.
Morning After Pill
The morning after pill is also known under the name of emergency contraception, because women use it after unprotected intercourse or when another birth control method fails. The same hormones present in the regular birth control pill are used in the morning after pill with the only mention that the concentration of the ingredients is a bit higher. The morning after pill should not replace a regular birth control method, because used frequently it can seriously impair health.
Male Birth Control
Male birth control is considered a controversial issue for lots of reasons. A few years ago large pharmaceutical companies like Schering, Organon or Wyeth announced the production of hormonal birth control designed especially for men, but the results of their research hasn't been finalized yet. Why? Because the investments are huge and the market is not that receptive to male birth control pills. Several programs have been abandoned for this reason, and it seems that drug companies don't show any renewal in their interest for this kind of birth control products.
