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Sex and related issues still continue being a taboo subject in India. When it comes to family planning, contraception and birth control methods, very few people know about it. There are almost 15 different methods of contraception and not all methods are appropriate for all situations. Women must consider a method based on their health condition, age, overall health, the frequency of sexual activity, the number of sexual partners, family history of diseases and the desire to have children later on.
Some types of contraception carry serious risks and these risks are greater if a woman is pregnant. So you should know about the different methods of contraception. Four broad types exist. These are barrier methods, hormonal methods (which include emergency contraception), intrauterine methods and sterilization.
Barrier methods
These stop sperm from entering the uterus and can be used by women who can’t use hormonal methods of contraception. These are as follows:
- Male condoms: A thin sheath that covers the penis and stops sperm from entering the woman, condoms are generally made of latex or polyurethane, although they can be made from lambskin.
- Female condoms: Female condoms are thin flexible plastic pouches and need to be inserted into the vagina before engaging in sexual intercourse. They reduce the risk of STDs too.
- Diaphragms: They are shallow latex cups inserted into the vagina before intercourse. They block sperm from entering the uterus and should be used with spermicidal jelly. The important thing to remember is that diaphragms must remain in place for 6 to 8 hours after sex to be effective in preventing pregnancy, but should be removed within 24 hours.
- Cervical caps: These are like diaphragms but smaller and a woman may find them more comfortable. As with diaphragms, they must be left inside the vagina for 6 to 8 hours after intercourse to be effective.
- Spermicides: These are chemicals that kill sperm and which can be used by themselves or in conjunction with sponges or diaphragms.
Hormonal methods
These contraceptive methods use hormones to stop the woman from ovulating or to prevent pregnancy, which can be in the form of pills, injections, skin patches and implantable rods.
- Combined oral contraceptives: Commonly referred to as “The Pill”, these come in the form of pills and contain a combination of synthetic estrogen and progestin hormones that interfere with ovulation. A woman must take one pill every day, preferably at the same time.
- Contraceptive patches: This is a thin patch that is attached to the skin and which releases hormones through the skin into the bloodstream. Women must wear the patch for a week at a time, for three weeks in a row. For the fourth week no patch is to be worn.
- Injections: Injections of a progestin can also be used for birth control. However, they may cause loss of bone density, especially in adolescents.
- Vaginal rings: These are approximately two inches in diameter and must be inserted into the vagina. It is to be left inside for three weeks and discarded thereafter. During the fourth week no ring is to be worn.
- Emergency Contraceptive Pills (ECPs): These are hormone pills which are taken either as a single dose or in two doses, 12 hours apart. They are mostly used when a couple has unprotected sex and wants to prevent pregnancy, but they must be taken prior to ovulation to delay it long enough for the sperm to become inactive, and for the pill to be effective.
Intrauterine methods
This type of contraception makes use of an intrauterine device (UID), which is a small T-shaped device inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. It can stay inside a woman’s body for many years and function effectively.
- Copper UIDs: This device releases a very small amount of copper into the uterus, but it is enough to cause an inflammatory reaction, which stops the sperm from reaching the egg. If sperm does reach and egg and fertilization occurs, the device prevents it from getting implanted on to the uterine wall, thus preventing pregnancy.
- Hormonal UIDs: These release hormones into the uterus and can be left in place for up to five years.
Sterilization
This is a permanent form of contraception and usually involves surgery. It either prevents the woman from being able to get pregnant or prevents the man from releasing sperm.
- Vasectomy: It is a surgical procedure performed on the man, which involves cutting, blocking or closing the tubes that deliver sperm to the urethra, so that sperm isn’t released. Even after the operation is conducted, it may take up to three months for sperm to be completely absent from semen, and it is recommended that other forms of contraception be used until then.
- Tubal ligation: This is a surgical procedure done on the woman, in which the doctor cuts, ties up or seals the fallopian tubes, so the egg cannot reach the uterus.
- Sterilization implant: This is a non-surgical procedure in which the doctor permanently blocks the fallopian tubes with an insert, placed through the vagina.
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