Contraception means the use of tools, drugs, substances, sexual methods, or surgery in order to prevent the formation of sperm or pregnancy. With this method, people can choose when to have children. There are various tools and methods for women and men that help prevent pregnancy.
Some methods are more reliable than others. In most cases, the effectiveness of a method depends on how carefully it is used.
For example, if the birth control pill is used correctly, it works 99% of the time. However, because people get it wrong, 9 women get pregnant every year despite using the pill.
In this article, we discuss different methods of pregnancy prevention. The actual rate of effectiveness of each method is given and human error is also taken into account.
Short facts about contraception
- Contraception helps people determine when to get pregnant.
- There are various methods, including prevention tools, medicine, and traditional methods, for this work.
- The degree of effectiveness is variable and often depends on the level of accuracy during the implementation of the method.
- Only the male condom provides immunity against sexually transmitted diseases.
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Prevention of pregnancy
1. Natural methods of contraception
- The traditional method does not involve any tools or drugs.
- Abstinence: Sexual abstinence means avoiding penetration.
- Pulling out: This method, which is also called interrupted intercourse, is related to the time
- when the man pulls the penis out of the vagina so that ejaculation occurs outside the vagina. Theoretically, this method prevents the discharge of sperm in the vagina.
According to the US Population Control Service, 20 out of every 100 women who use this method become pregnant each year.
In other words, pulling out is 80% effective, but it depends on how accurate and consistent it is.
In order for pregnancy to occur, the zikr must not enter the vagina. For example, if sperm enters the vagina before intercourse, pregnancy occurs.
2. Tools
Contraceptives prevent sperm from reaching the egg. This tool may contain substances that destroy sperm.
Male condom
A male condom, like a barrier, prevents sperm from entering the vagina and prevents pregnancy. The man rubs it on his penis before penetration. The condom is made of polyurethane or latex. It also helps prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases. Its effectiveness is 82%. 18 out of every 100 women get pregnant despite their partners using condoms.
Condoms can be purchased from pharmacies, supermarkets, or other stores. Health service providers sometimes provide it to people for free. You can also buy condoms online.
Female condom
The female condom, or Femidum, is made of polyurethane. It has a flexible ring on both sides. One loop is placed behind the pelvis to hold the condom in place and the other loop remains outside the vagina.
It may be placed in the vagina before entering the spermicide. This substance destroys sperm chemically. This product can be used alone or together with physical means of prevention.
The female condom is 79% effective. Every year, about 21 women get pregnant with this method.
Femidoms are harder to find than condoms. FC2 is the only female condom available that has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. Some healthcare providers provide female condoms, or you can get them from a pharmacy with a prescription. You can also buy female condoms online from Amazon or FC2.
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Sponge
The contraceptive sponge enters the vagina. Its hollow part makes it sit on top of the uterus. The foam goes into the vagina using a device. This foam has the ability to destroy sperm and the sponge barrier prevents sperm from reaching the egg.
Of every 100 women who use sponges, between 12 and 24 people get pregnant. If the woman has had a child once, the possibility of the sponge being effective is reduced.
Diaphragm
A diaphragm is a semicircular rubber device that is inserted into the vagina and placed over the uterus.
Diaphragm is attached to the back of the pelvis and has a strong but flexible ring that helps press on the vaginal wall.
If the diaphragm is used together with spermicide, it is 88% effective, but it is 77-83% effective alone.
Cervical cap
This device, which is similar to a thimble and made of latex, is placed on the cervix and prevents sperm from entering the uterus. Before placing the device on the cervix, which is held in place by suction, it must be filled up to one-third with spermicide. Its effectiveness when used with spermicide is 88% and without it is 77- 83%.
Injection
The contraceptive pill is a type of medication containing progesterone, which has a long-term but compensable effect. The name of this drug is Depo Prora, which is also known as Depo Ampoule or DMPA.
Its effectiveness rate is 94%, and the possibility of pregnancy increases when the effect of the ampoule wears off. Remember to take another injection after three months to ensure the effectiveness of the medicine.
This medicine does not provide immunity against sexually transmitted diseases.
3. Types of medicine
This method ranges from pills to instruments implanted by the best obstetricians and gynecologists. To use this type of tool, you must refer to health service providers.
Intrauterine device (IUD)
IUD or coil is a small, flexible, and T-shaped device that is placed in the uterus by a gynecologist. There are two types of it:
The copper IUD releases copper from itself, which destroys sperm and is effective for up to 10 years.
The hormonal IUD contains progestogen, which strengthens the cervical mucus and softens the uterine wall, preventing sperm from reaching the egg and fertilization. This device stays in the uterus until the person wants to get pregnant.
Depending on the type of equipment, the period of its use varies from 3.5 to 10 years, and it is more than 99% effective.
Birth control pills
Combined birth control pills are taken every day and contain two hormones, estrogen, and progestin. These hormones prevent the release of the egg or ovulation. They also make the uterine wall thinner. Its effect on women is on average 91 to 95 percent.
Contraceptive adhesive
This label is placed on the skin and produces synthetic estrogen and progestin hormones. The sticker is placed every week for 3 consecutive weeks, usually on the abdomen or buttocks. In the fourth week, the label should not be used until menstruation occurs. This tag is easily accessible. Its effectiveness is estimated at 91%.
Vaginal ring
The contraceptive ring is a flexible plastic ring that releases a low dose of estrogen and progestin for 3 weeks and prevents ovulation and thickens the cervical mucus so that sperm cannot move easily.
The woman should put the ring in the vagina for 3 weeks and remove it for a week during menstruation.
This ring is also known as Nuva Ring, which is the brand name of the contraceptive ring made by Organon.
The effectiveness of the vaginal ring is 99%, but the possibility of human error reduces this percentage to 91%.
Implant
A rod with a progestin core releases it gradually. The implant is placed under the skin of the arm of a woman. The implant is effective for up to 4 years, but it can be removed whenever a person wants, and then there is a possibility of pregnancy.
In 99% of cases, it is effective in preventing pregnancy, but it does not provide immunity against sexually transmitted diseases.
Emergency pill
The emergency contraceptive pill or “morning after pill” can prevent pregnancy after penetration. This pill prevents ovulation, fertility, or sperm formation.
The emergency pill is different from medical methods because it works after the egg is placed in the uterus. This pill can be used up to 72 hours after penetration. During the first 24 hours, its effect is 95% and this effect decreases to 60% by 72 hours.
Emergency pills should be used only if the main methods of prevention are not effective. Some people consider this method a form of abortion because the egg may have been fertilized.
4. Permanent contraceptive methods
In women
Closing the fallopian tubes: It is a type of female sterilization. The surgeon removes, blocks, or burns the fallopian tubes, or uses a combination of these methods to prevent the person from becoming pregnant in the future.
Fallopian tube implant: A wire is placed in the fallopian tubes. As the tissue grows around the wire, the tubes become blocked. It may take 3 months for this method to work.
In males
Vasectomy: Male sterilization surgery is called vasectomy. In this method, the tubes through which the sperm reach the ejaculation stage are closed. Its effectiveness is over 99%.
Vasectomy can sometimes be compensated, but it may lead to lower fertility or congenital failure due to the abnormal increase in sperm.
Misconceptions about contraception
Misconceptions about birth control have abounded throughout history, but science has revealed the truth about some of the misunderstandings.
- You cannot get pregnant during menstruation: It is not true that women cannot get pregnant during menstruation. Fertility may decrease during the first few days, but there is a possibility of pregnancy because sperm can remain in the woman’s body for several days.
- You will not get pregnant if you have sex in a hot tub: Having sex in a hot tub or swimming pool does not prevent pregnancy. Also, no sexual position prevents pregnancy.
- Urinating or showering after sex prevents pregnancy: Showering with any substance after sex does not prevent pregnancy.
- Non-medical spermicide: Inserting toothpaste or seeds into the vagina does not prevent pregnancy and should never be used for contraception.
- Sex without penetration, ejaculation, or orgasm is safe: even if a man does not ejaculate, a woman can become pregnant. Whenever dhikr (or precum) enters the vagina, there is a possibility of pregnancy. Whether a woman reaches an orgasm or not, or is in love with the other person or not, there is a possibility of pregnancy.
- Breastfeeding prevents pregnancy: A woman can get pregnant while breastfeeding, although the probability is lower.
- Using two condoms doubles the chance of prevention: Using two condoms or one strong condom does not provide more protection than one condom. The simultaneous use of female and male condoms can increase the risk of pregnancy because they may break due to contact.
Disease Prevention
Contraceptive methods are also a powerful tool to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Some methods, such as male condoms, also reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases. Of course, it must be used correctly to be effective.
None of the contraceptive methods is 100% effective. Combining two methods, for example, taking pills and using condoms, creates more immunity and protects you against sexually transmitted diseases.
How many types of birth control methods are there?
There are some types of birth control such as :
- Caps and diaphragms
- Combined pills
- Condoms
- Contraceptive implant
- Contraceptive injection
- Contraceptive patch
- Female condom
- IUD
- IUS
- Natural family planning
- Progestogen-only – pill
- Vaginal ring.
What are natural birth control methods?
What is the most popular birth control?
What's the safest birth control pill?
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are several types of contraceptive methods available for both men and women to prevent unwanted pregnancy.
These methods range from hormonal options such as birth control pills, patches, and injections to non-hormonal options such as condoms, diaphragms, and spermicides.
Long-acting reversible contraceptives like intrauterine devices (IUDs) and hormonal implants are also available.
Each method has its own benefits, risks, and effectiveness rates, and it is important for individuals to choose a method that suits their lifestyle and reproductive goals. Consulting with a healthcare provider is crucial in making an informed decision about contraceptive options.
