<P> Hormonal contraception refers to birth control methods that act on the endocrine system . Almost all methods are composed of steroid hormones , although in India one selective estrogen receptor modulator is marketed as a contraceptive . The original hormonal method -- the combined oral contraceptive pill -- was first marketed as a contraceptive in 1960 . In the ensuing decades many other delivery methods have been developed , although the oral and injectable methods are by far the most popular . Altogether , 18 % of the world 's contraceptive users rely on hormonal methods . Hormonal contraception is highly effective : when taken on the prescribed schedule , users of steroid hormone methods experience pregnancy rates of less than 1 % per year . Perfect - use pregnancy rates for most hormonal contraceptives are usually around the 0.3 % rate or less . Currently available methods can only be used by women ; the development of a male hormonal contraceptive is an active research area . </P>
<P> Hormonal contraception refers to birth control methods that act on the endocrine system . Almost all methods are composed of steroid hormones , although in India one selective estrogen receptor modulator is marketed as a contraceptive . The original hormonal method -- the combined oral contraceptive pill -- was first marketed as a contraceptive in 1960 . In the ensuing decades many other delivery methods have been developed , although the oral and injectable methods are by far the most popular . Altogether , 18 % of the world 's contraceptive users rely on hormonal methods . Hormonal contraception is highly effective : when taken on the prescribed schedule , users of steroid hormone methods experience pregnancy rates of less than 1 % per year . Perfect - use pregnancy rates for most hormonal contraceptives are usually around the 0.3 % rate or less . Currently available methods can only be used by women ; the development of a male hormonal contraceptive is an active research area . </P>
where do the hormones in the pill come from
where do the hormones in the pill come from
steroid
steroid