Oral pills, Saheli, implants, emergency contraception, vasectomy vs tubectomy: fixing the details in my chart
Ishita GoyalDropper Sample
4 Oct 2026 · 1 min read
I'm making a one-page chart of the contraception chapter for my revision file (it's what I do, I can't revise without a template), and the second half of the chapter, the pills, injectables, surgical methods and emergency contraception, has the most number-and-detail traps.
What I have in my chart:
- Oral pills: progestogens or progestogen-estrogen combinations. Taken daily for 21 days, starting within the first 5 days of the menstrual cycle. A 7-day gap (menstruation occurs), then repeat.
- Saheli: non-steroidal pill, once a week.
- Injectables / implants: progestogens or combinations, under the skin, longer effect.
- Emergency contraceptives: within 72 hours of coitus.
- Surgical: vasectomy and tubectomy.
I'm not sure about the how each of these works (pills block what exactly?), and the exact difference between vasectomy and tubectomy sites (scrotum, abdomen, vagina?). Also, does an emergency contraceptive pill count as an abortion, and what do I write if a question asks "which methods are reversible"? Please correct anything wrong in the chart and tell me what to add.
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[+][–]Kavya NaikDropperSample· 16d ago
Your pill facts are correct, Ishita. How the pills work: they inhibit ovulation and implantation and also change the quality of the cervical mucus so that the entry of sperms is prevented or slowed down. They are very effective with fewer side effects, and are used by females only. The 21 days + 7-day gap pattern is repeated until the woman wants to prevent conception.
[+][–]Farhan ShaikhDropperSample· 15d ago
Saheli is a daily pill with progestogen-estrogen, developed in India, that's why it's called Saheli. And injections are taken once a month, I'm fairly sure. Adding both to my chart!
[+][–]Mehak AroraDropperSample· 15d ago
Farhan, careful on Saheli, please. It's a new oral contraceptive for females that contains a non-steroidal preparation (so no progestogen or estrogen), and it's taken once a week, not daily, with few side effects and a high contraceptive value. It was developed at CDRI in Lucknow in India. About injectables: NCERT only says progestogens or progestogen-estrogen combinations can be given as injections or implants under the skin, with a similar mode of action to the pills and a much longer effective period. It doesn't say "monthly", so don't write a number.
[+][–]Ishita GoyalDropperSample· 15d agoAuthor
thank you!! fixed the Saheli row (weekly, non-steroidal, CDRI Lucknow) and deleted "monthly" from the injectables. chart is now truthful 😅
[+][–]Siddharth RaoDropperSample· 15d ago
Surgical (sterilisation) methods are terminal methods, meant for people who don't want any more children:
- Vasectomy (male): a small part of the vas deferens is removed or tied up through a small incision on the scrotum.
- Tubectomy (female): a small part of the fallopian tube is removed or tied up through a small incision in the abdomen or through the vagina. Both are highly effective, but reversibility is very poor. So in a "which is reversible" question, sterilisation is the answer to avoid.
[+][–]Vivek Mishra12thSample· 15d ago
I did not know vasectomy is on the scrotum and not the abdomen. I always thought it was near the stomach. Good to know the simple fact. Thanks.
[+][–]Nisha Verma12thSample· 15d ago
Emergency contraception: administration of progestogens, or progestogen-estrogen combinations, or IUDs, within 72 hours of coitus, is very effective to avoid pregnancy from rape or an unprotected/casual intercourse. It's for emergencies and is not a regular method. And no, it's not the same as an MTP (medical termination of pregnancy), which is a separate topic in the same chapter and is done under medical supervision for an established pregnancy. Keep these two apart in your chart.
