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Year 11
Edexcel
Higher

Hormonal and non-hormonal methods of contraception

I can compare hormonal and non-hormonal methods of contraception.

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New
New
Year 11
Edexcel
Higher

Hormonal and non-hormonal methods of contraception

I can compare hormonal and non-hormonal methods of contraception.

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Share activities with pupils
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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Hormones can be used as a contraceptive to prevent pregnancy by disrupting the menstrual cycle.
  2. Some oral hormone contraceptive pills prevent ovulation. If no egg is released, fertilisation cannot take place.
  3. Reasons why hormone pills may not be 100% effective (e.g. missing/late dose, taking after ovulation).
  4. Non-hormonal contraceptives act as a barrier to prevent sperm from reaching the egg, so fertilisation cannot occur.
  5. Evaluating benefits and risks of hormonal and non-hormonal (barrier) methods of contraception (including STIs).

Keywords

  • Oral contraceptive pill - A contraceptive method; a pill taken regularly, containing hormones.

  • Ovulation - Process where an egg is released from an ovary.

  • Fertilisation - Process where the sperm and the egg fuse in the fallopian tube.

  • Risk - The chance of something causing harm or leading to unwanted consequences.

  • STI - Sexually transmitted infection.

Common misconception

The contraceptive pill can protect from STIs; that all contraception is 100% effective; there are no side effects to hormonal contraception.

Discuss barrier methods and their benefit in preventing STIs, oral contraceptive can be affected by user error or illness. Oral contraception has side effects but these are less in modern times.

Could ask pupils to formulate an evaluation and conclude which form of contraception might be suitable for different types of people.
Teacher tip

Equipment

None required.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
  • Depiction or discussion of sexual content

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
True or false? Every woman's menstrual cycle is exactly 28 days long.
true
Correct answer: false
Q2.
Put these events of the menstrual events in order, starting with menstruation.
An image in a quiz
1 - Uterus lining breaks down.
2 - FSH is released and causes a follicle to mature and oestrogen to be released.
3 - Oestrogen causes the uterus lining to regrow and LH to be secreted.
4 - LH causes ovulation.
5 - LH and FSH cause the empty follicle to release progesterone.
6 - Progesterone inhibits LH and FSH.
Q3.
When the nuclei of a sperm and egg cell fuse this is called?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: Fertilisation
Q4.
What does STI stand for?
Correct Answer: Sexually transmitted infection, sexually transmitted disease
Q5.
Match the hormone to its effect.
Correct Answer:Progesterone,maintains the uterus lining

maintains the uterus lining

Correct Answer:LH,causes ovulation

causes ovulation

Correct Answer:FSH,causes follicle maturation

causes follicle maturation

Q6.
What are the three effects of oestrogen?
Correct answer: uterus lining grows
causes the uterus lining to breakdown
Correct answer: inhibits FSH secretion
Correct answer: causes LH to be released
causes progesterone to be released
Q2 Dee-sign/Shutterstock

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which two hormones can be used in hormonal contraception?
FSH
Correct answer: oestrogen
LH
Correct answer: progesterone
testosterone
Q2.
Which methods of contraception are hormonal?
Correct answer: injection
Correct answer: pill
diaphragm
female condom
Correct answer: patch
Q3.
True or false? Non-hormonal methods of contraception are for males only.
true
Correct answer: false
Q4.
What are the risks associated with hormonal contraception such as the pill?
An image in a quiz
decrease the risk of some cancers
Correct answer: changes in weight
Correct answer: changes in mood
Correct answer: increase blood pressure
Correct answer: increase the risk of some cancers
Q5.
Which methods of contraception protect against sexually transmitted infections?
Correct answer: condoms
the pill
injection
diaphragm
IUD/IUS
Q6.
Who is correct?
Correct answer: Andeep: Taking the pill will mean that you don't ovulate.
Sam: Taking the pill will mean more follicles mature, leading to more ovulation.
Izzy: Taking the pill will cause you to have a period all the time.
Correct answer: Jacob: Taking the pill will prevent the maturation of follicles.