User:OckRaz/Contragestion

Contragestion is either the prevention of the implantation of an embryo into the uterine lining, or a device or substance which can effect such prevention as a means of birth control.

Technical Terminology
The term, 'contraception' is a contraction of 'contra', which means 'against', and the word 'conception', which is a non-technical term that is synonymous    with fertilization. The word 'contragestion' is likewise a combination of 'contra' and 'gestation'. French scientist Étienne-Émile Baulieu coined the word in 1985 because he felt that there was a need for a technical term to describe the prevention of implantation, which did not fit the traditional definitions of either 'contraception' or 'abortion'. Elisabeth Johannisson of the International Committee for Research in Reproduction endorsed the use of this nomenclature saying that, "it is appropriately descriptive and fits in with contemporary medical ethics, which require us to indicate (when we know them) the phenomena which occur in patients. The word 'contraception' is ambiguous and 'abortion' remains the traumatic symbol of a painful failure... Faced with the imprecision of these currently used terms, 'contragestion' is preferable because it takes recent scientific knowledge into account.  At the same time, it is difficult to make this term accepted because more classical expressions have great force.  The word 'abortion' has a long tradition... The word 'contraception' has had a strong impact on the history of our century.  Between the two it is difficult to find a place, either biological or semantic." It is also worth noting that since 18 U.S. states define pregnancy as beginning at conception, describing methods of birth control in terms of their potential means of action allows one to be technically accurate while using language that is neutral with regard to the abortifacient versus contraceptive controversy.

Contrasting Mechanisms of Action
The function of birth control can be classified by the stage of reproduction during which it is active. A form of birth control which prevents the sperm from fertilizing the egg is a contraceptive agent. A form of birth control which acts after fertilization to prevent or interrupt the implantation of the embryo into the uterine lining is a contragestive agent. After implantation has occurred, an agent which ends gestation by terminating the pregnancy is an abortifacient


 * ''Contraception occurs when an agent prevent the sperm from fertilizing the egg
 * ''Contragestion occurs when an agent prevents or interrupts implantation of the embryo or causes the uterine lining to shed during the implantation period


 * ''An abortion has taken place if, after implantation has occurred, an abortifacients terminates the pregnancy before the fetus achieves viability.

It is important to bear in mind that these mechanisms of action are not mutually exclusive. One substance or device can have more than one potential effect depending upon when it is used. For example, while mifepristone is best known as an abortifacient, it can also function as a contragestive agent. Likewise, it is thought that the IUD has both contraceptive and contragestive effects depending upon when it is inserted.