What is Saheli?

About Saheli:

• Saheli is the world’s first and only oral non-steroidal contraceptive pill.
• ‘Saheli’, aka Centchroman (ormeloxifene 30mg), is the only non–steroidal pill with zero side effects available in the world.
• The pill, launched by HLL in 1991, is free from side effects like weight gain, nausea, vomiting and headaches as it contains the molecule Centchroman (ormeloxifene) as the active ingredient.
• All common brands of oral contraceptive pills contain hormones like oestrogen or progesterone, or a combination of both; only Saheli is free of these steroids and hence has no side effects. 
• This drug was included in the National Family Welfare Programme in 1995.

Oestrogen and Progesterone:

• Oestrogen (also called 'estrogen') and progesterone are hormones that are important for sexual and reproductive development in women.
• Production:
  • The ovaries are a pair of ova-producing organs (that is, they produce egg cells) that maintain the health of the female reproductive system.
  • In addition to their role in producing ova, the ovaries also have the distinction of being an endocrine gland because they secrete hormones—primarily estrogen and progesterone.
• They are both important for the menstrual cycle and maintenance of pregnancy in females and are combinedly prescribed in birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy for menopause.
• While they are often thought of as ‘female hormones’, oestrogen and progesterone are also found in men.