Studies indicate that hormonal contraceptives and intrauterine devices do not completely inhibit ovarian activity, so conception remains possible during use, confirmed by pregnancy rates up to 7% among combined-pill users. The chapter examines the mechanisms behind this incomplete suppression and resulting anti-implantation effects.
Incomplete inhibition partly results from hormone doses reduced to limit harm to the woman. These agents combine a contraceptive effect, via ovulation inhibition and impaired sperm quality, with an anti-implantation effect via effects on embryo transport and the endometrium, more likely with low-dose gestagens and devices inhibiting ovulation less. Levonorgestrel pills may fail to destroy the embryo more often than assumed; ulipristal near ovulation likely acts as an early abortifacient.
Hormonal contraceptives and intrauterine devices may thus contribute to early miscarriage, a fact users should be informed of.
Graduate of the Faculty of Pharmacy at the Medical Academy in Gdańsk (MA in Pharmacy), Faculty of Theology at Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw (MA in Theology), full-time doctoral studies at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn. She headed the NCN (National Science Center in Kraków) basic research project Prelude 1: Theological, ethical and legal aspects of pharmacists’ conscientious objection. Based on the dissertation Objection of Conscience of Pharmacists. A theological and moral study, she received a doctoral degree in theology. She has worked in the pharmaceutical industry, holding managerial positions in the areas of production, quality control and research and development.
Since 2008, she has been working as an M.D. in pharmacy, currently as a pharmacy manager. She is interested in bioethical issues related to the beginning and end of human life. She is the author of the monograph Objection of Conscience of Pharmacists. Ethical, Theological and Legal Aspects, the book Bioethics for the Pharmacist, and co-editor of the collective work Patient Pro Future Statements as a Medical, Ethical, Theological and Legal Problem, in addition, she is the author of numerous scientific and popular science articles on conflict of conscience in the medical profession, the effect of contraceptives, vaccines and other current medical issues. President of the Association of Catholic Pharmacists of Poland. She is a member of the Association of Moral Theologians. She is a member of the Expert Panel of the Bioethics Commission of the Polish Bishops' Conference, as well as the Executive Committee of the International Federation of Catholic Pharmacists.

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