Which method of contraception prevents the release of an egg from the ovary?

The hormonal method of contraception is designed to prevent ovulation, which is the release of an egg from the ovary. This method works by using synthetic hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, to regulate and alter the natural hormonal cycles in a woman's body. By inhibiting the hormones that stimulate the ovaries to release an egg, hormonal contraceptives effectively prevent ovulation.

Additionally, hormonal methods may also thicken cervical mucus to impede sperm movement and create changes in the uterine lining to deter implantation, but the primary mechanism is the prevention of ovulation itself.

Other options such as natural family planning focus on tracking fertility signals and do not prevent ovulation; barrier methods aim to physically block sperm from reaching the egg but do not influence the ovulatory process; and while the contraceptive implant also uses hormones, it is categorized under the broader hormonal methods rather than standalone. Thus, the correct choice centers specifically on the function of preventing the egg's release through hormonal regulation.