The contraceptive pill is a pharmacological method, a combination of hormones that inhibits ovulation. It is a good method for preventing unwanted pregnancy, but it does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.
The pill blocks and suppresses ovulation. The ovary stops producing mature eggs (so they do not leave the ovary). It also thickens the cervical mucus, hinders the passage of sperm, and modifies the thickness of the tissue inside the uterus.
Oestrogen and progesterone are the basis of the tablets’ ingredients, but each brand has its own composition and hormonal levels vary by brand.