Of combined oral contraceptives, Covid-19 and blood clots

Woman holding pack of contraceptive pills.

Combined hormonal oral contraceptives contain synthetic hormones; oestrogen and progesterone that are similar to the ones produced naturally by a woman. The ovaries produce these hormones to regulate the menstrual cycle including ovulation, menses and pregnancy.

The combined hormonal contraceptives work by thickening the cervical mucus to prevent movement of sperm and inhibit the ovaries from producing eggs. Typically, it mimics the pregnancy state where eggs are not released and when taken correctly, it is 99.9 per cent effective in preventing pregnancy and is totally reversible.