Hormonal contraception refers to
birth control methods that act on the
endocrine system. Almost all methods are composed of
steroid hormones, although in
India one
selective estrogen receptor modulator is marketed as a contraceptive. The original hormonal method—the
combined oral contraceptive pill—was first marketed as a contraceptive in 1960. In the ensuing decades many other delivery methods have been developed, although the oral and injectable methods are by far the most popular. Altogether, 18% of the world's contraceptive users rely on hormonal methods. Hormonal contraception is highly effective: when taken on the prescribed schedule, users of steroid hormone methods experience pregnancy rates of less than 1% per year. Perfect-use pregnancy rates for most hormonal contraceptives are usually around the 0.3% rate or less. Currently available methods can only be used by women; the development of a
male hormonal contraceptive is an active research area.