September 26 marks World Contraception Day across the world. An essential gap in the realm of female contraception revolves around educating patients about the diverse contraceptive options at their disposal. World Contraception Day plays a vital role in promoting awareness regarding available contraceptive methods, empowering young individuals to make well-informed decisions regarding their sexual health, according to key opinion leaders (KOLs) interviewed by GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

Female hormonal contraceptives are used in women of reproductive age, which according to the World Health Organization (WHO) refers to all women aged 15-49 years. There are different types of hormonal contraceptives, which can be distinguished by their targets and mode of administration.

The most marketed female hormonal contraceptives target the progesterone receptor (progestin-only contraception) or the progesterone and the estrogen receptors (combination birth control). Hormonal contraception is available as oral contraceptive (OCs) and in newer long-acting formulations, including hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs) or intrauterine systems (IUS), transdermal patches, vaginal rings, subcutaneous implants, and intramuscular injections.

As such, hormonal contraceptives can be grouped into progestin-only or combined oral contraceptives (COCs), combination hormonal patches, combination hormonal vaginal rings, injectable progestins, implantable progestins, and progestin IUDs. Hormonal contraception provides effective, tolerable, and reversible prevention of pregnancy. The mechanism of action (MOA) of hormonal contraceptives is primarily through suppression of ovulation, but there are other associated MOAs, such as inhibition of fertilization and inhibition of implantation of an egg.

Dr Shireen Mohammad, Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disorders Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The contraceptives market has been dominated by IUDs and OCs for the past decade. According to KOLs, IUDs are preferred to OCs because they are associated with higher compliance rates. With OCs, patients may forget to take them every day, and as a result, may get pregnant. Thus, physicians prefer methods that are more efficacious and less burdensome for patients. Each method of contraception has its own advantages and disadvantages; therefore, family planning is individualized and may change during a woman’s reproductive life.”