Contraception: Know About Different Contraceptive Methods

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Contraception in simple terms is an effective way to prevent pregnancy; it is also known as birth control. Contraception is any method, medicine, or device which can be used to prevent pregnancy. Couples can choose from different types of birth control. The type of birth control one uses depends on the health, lifestyle, desire to have children in the future, and the need to prevent sexually transmitted diseases.

Contraception mainly focus on creating awareness of contraception and enabling people to make informed choices on sexual and reproductive health. There are numerous birth control options. Contraceptives enable women to exercise their right to decide whether to get pregnant, the number and spacing of children, and to have a safe sexual experience without any risk of unintended pregnancies.

Contraceptive methods not only prevent an unplanned pregnancy, some of these methods also protect against sexually transmissible infections. Thus, contraceptive methods offer a wide range of benefits other than the primary purpose of pregnancy prevention. Contraception reduces pregnancy-related mortality and morbidity thereby eliminating the risk of developing certain reproductive cancers.

Different Contraceptive Methods are:

Barrier methods: these are the most effective way of preventing sexually transmitted infections such as HIV/AIDS. These are designed to prevent semen from entering the uterus. These barrier methods are removable and especially useful for women who cannot or do not want to use hormonal methods of contraception.

Different types of barrier methods include:

Male condom: a thin sheath that covers the male organ to collect semen and prevent it from entering the female’s body. Male condoms are made of latex or polyurethane. Condoms reduce the risk of spreading sexually transmitted diseases. These must be disposed of after a single use.
Female condoms: these are thin, flexible plastic condoms. These are inserted into a woman’s vagina before intercourse to prevent the entry of sperm into the uterus. These are also helpful in preventing the spread of STDs.
Diaphragm: a small, soft silicon dome which is placed inside the vagina to stop sperm from entering the uterus. This act as a physical barrier. The diaphragm needs to stay in place for at least six hours after intercourse. This can be cleaned and used more than once. These are believed to be 88% effective in preventing pregnancy when used with a spermicide.
Contraceptive sponges: soft, disposable, spermicide-filled foam sponges. These are inserted into the vagina before intercourse. The sponge helps in blocking the entry of sperm into the uterus and the spermicide also kills the sperm cells. The sponge must be left for at least 6 hours after intercourse and must be removed within 30 hours after intercourse.

Combined pills: these pills contain synthetic female hormones, estrogen, and progesterone. These hormonal pills are highly effective when used correctly. These pills may even reduce heavy and painful periods. The hormones in the pills stop a woman’s ovaries from ovulating. These pills also make it difficult for sperm to reach the egg (in other words, these pills also prevent implantation). These pills are 99% effective if taken correctly. The only drawback is that one has to remember to take them every day.

About 8 in 100 women use combined pills. These pills must be taken every day for 21 days, then stopped for 7 days. For the ease of intake, there are 28-day packs available, which have a placebo or an iron pill for those 7 days.

Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs): these are hormonal pills that are taken as single or double doses 12 hours apart. If these pills are consumed before ovulation, then pills can delay or inhibit ovulation for at least 5 days to allow sperm to become inactive. They also cause the thickening of cervical mucus and interfere with sperm function.

Intrauterine devices (IUDs):

Copper T: this is a small, T-shaped copper device that is inserted into the uterus by a medical professional. This is a reversible method of contraception that stays in place for three to ten years. IUDs containing coppers are >99% effective.

Hormonal IUDs/loops: Some IUDs contain hormones, these prevent pregnancy. IUDs are effective emergency contraception; hormonal IUDs are 99.8% effective. The disadvantage of using this is a possible irregular bleeding and spotting which is mainly experienced during the first six months of use.

Contraceptive implant: in this contraceptive method, it is a small, flexible rod (the size of a matchstick) that is placed under the skin of a woman’s upper arm (most commonly on the left), releasing the progesterone hormone. The hormone stops the ovary from releasing an egg and thickens the cervical mucus thus making it difficult for sperm to enter the womb. For using this, women must visit a gynaecologist and go through the procedure. This rod must be replaced every three years.

Contraceptive Ring: this contraceptive method consists of a flexible plastic ring that releases hormones and is placed in the vagina. This stays in place for three weeks. The ring releases estrogen and progesterone hormone. The best thing about this contraceptive method is that you don’t need any medical professional’s help for using this. This contraceptive method is not suitable for women who can’t take estrogen-containing contraception (for medical reasons!). The drawback of this method is that one must remember to insert it after a menstrual cycle and take it off after 21 days. Some women may find that cumbersome.

Sterilization:

Sterilization is a permanent form of birth control that either prevents a woman from getting pregnant or prevents a man from releasing sperm. This is a process of completely taking away the body’s ability to reproduce.

For men, vasectomy is the option for sterilization. This is a surgical procedure that cuts, closes, or blocks the vas deferens. This procedure blocks the path between the testes and the urethra. With this, the sperm can’t leave the testes and cannot reach the egg.

For women, tubal ligation is performed, this is a surgical procedure in which the doctor cuts, ties, and seals the fallopian tubes. This procedure blocks the path between the ovaries and the uterus thus preventing the ovum from reaching the uterus.

Conclusion:

By knowing about the different forms of birth control, you can decide what method is best for you. Some contraceptive methods require daily upkeep to be effective while other methods are “get it and forget it” as they last for years. None of the methods can be labelled as the best contraceptive option’ as the needs of a couple differ individually, it is best to consult a doctor and discuss the options that are likely to work best.