Drug Class: What is Lo/Ovral - 21 and why is Lo/Ovral - 21 prescribed?

Lo/Ovral - 21 is an oral contraceptive.

Lo/Ovral - 21 is also known as a birth control pill. Birth control pills contain a combination of hormones that is used to prevent ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). Lo/Ovral - 21 contains a form of estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and a form of progesterone (norgestrel), which are both female hormones involved in conception. Estrogen and progesterone regulate a woman's menstrual cycle, and the fluctuating levels of these hormones play an essential role in fertility.

Lo/Ovral - 21 also has other effects that inhibit pregnancy. Lo/Ovral - 21 causes the cervical mucous to thicken, which makes it harder for sperm to move toward the uterus, and they prevent the attachment of an egg to the uterus. Lo/Ovral - 21 is used to prevent pregnancy.