The International E-magazine on Adolescent Health; The Male and Female Reproductive Systems Volume 3 | Page 3

TEEN HEALTH April 9, 2014 CONTRACEPTIVE METHODS Essay 1 By Sofía Benavides and Lorena González Contraception can be defined as the deliberate usage of artificial methods to avoid pregnancy as a consequence of sexual intercourse. Therefore, contraceptive methods offer the possibility of safer sex. As stated by congresswoman Louise Slaughter: “For most women, including women who want to have children, contraception is not an option; is it a basic health care necessity”. Contraception can be divided into the following branches: barrier methods (which include male condoms, female condoms, and spermicides), hormonal methods (which include contraceptive pills, contraceptive patches, injectable birth control, and Emergency Contraceptive Pills), intrauterine methods (which include hormonal IUDs and copper IUDs), and sterilization (which includes tubal ligations and vasectomies). Up next we will mention how each of them work, their effectiveness, and in which scenario they should be used. 2. Containing ulipristal acetate, this pill can be taken up to 5 days of unprotected sex and can still be very effective and tolerated. 3. Containing both progestin and estrogen, cut the chances of getting pregnant by 75%. 4. Containing small doses of mifepristone, this pill is highly effective with few side-effects; but it’s only sold in certain approving countries. It is important to remember that this pills don’t need to be exactly taken in the morning and that side effects may appear and be different depending in the person and the dose. -Hormonal IUD: “Mirena” is a device inserted into the uterus for long-term birth control. It thickens the cervical mucus to block the way to the sperms from reaching the ovaries. It also lines the uterus and suppresses ovulation. It lasts mostly 5 years after being implanted. 1% of women conceive in the first year of use, from which the risk of having and ectopic pregnancy is higher (egg fertilized outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tubes. There are many physical side effects and it doesn’t protect against STIs. -Male condom: This condom is a thin sheath that covers the penis, collecting the sperm and therefore preventing it from entering the female’s body. According to the World Health Organization, only two out of 100 couples per year who use condoms consistently and correctly will experience pregnancy. Additionally, these condoms are effective in the prevention of HIV, cervical cancer, and HPV infection. -Copper IUD: Is a device inserted up to 5 days after sex. Most Therefore, condoms should be used whenever you wish to avoid effective pill reducing the risk of getting pregnant by 99%. However, pregnancy and the transmission of STD’s. if you suffer of STIs, PID, active gonorrhea or Chlamydia infection, the Cooper IUD is not recommended. Before taking this pill, you -Female condom: This condom is a polyurethane sheath with a should get testes of STIs because it can be treated with antibiotics. flexible ring at both ends. One end is shut closed and inserted in the vagina, while the other end lies open and in the opening of the -Tubal ligations: Is an operation to stop a women from getting vagina. This create a barrier between the sperm and the cervix. permanently pregnant. In this surgery, the fallopian tubes are either According to the WHO, 21 out of every 100 couples that implement cut, burned or clipped to keep the entrance for the sperm sealed. this method will experience pregnancy. Therefore, female condoms 1-2% of the surgeries turn out ineffective because during the are used when you wish to avoid pregnancy and STD’s in a cheap process something went wrong. It is recommended to be sure that and simple way in which the woman takes matters into her own you (and your husband*) don’t want any kids before even hands. considering the operation. -Spermicides: Chemical that destroys sperm. They are available in various forms, such as foam, jelly, cream, and suppository. They must be inserted into the vagina, close to the uterus, no more than 30 minutes prior to intercourse. According to the WHO, 15 out of 100 couples that applied spermicides correctly will experience pregnancy. Spermicides do not prevent against transmission of STD’s; therefore, these should be used when there is absolutely no doubt that your partner is STD free, and all you want is condom-less sex. -Vasectomies: Is an operation that p revents the release of sperm when the man ejaculates. During a vasectomy, the vas deferens from the testicles is sealed, clamped or cut preventing the sperm to mix with the semen. It usually takes some months before all the remaining sperm is ejaculated or reabsorbed. As in the tubal ligations, 1-2% of women get pregnant, it is 99.85% effective. It is also recommended to be sure if you don’t want to have kids since it is a permanent deal. -Combined Oral Contraceptive pills: Contain different combinations of the synthetic estrogens and progestins that trigger the interference of ovulation. According to the Royal Women’s Hospital, 1 out of 10 women that take the pills correctly will experience pregnancy. This method is recommended when you have regular blood pressure and a no history of poor blood clotting. Additionally, since it offers no protection from STD’s, it is used when you are in a committed a monogamous relationship, in which the other individual is too infection-free. We can conclude from all of this gathered information that there are many different types of contraceptive methods to use although, if your thinking about using one, remember that they all work differently, have different responses, different secondary effects and aren’t 100% effective. -Contraceptive patches: Thin sticky patch that adheres to bare skin and releases hormones into the bloodstream. Said hormones thicken cervical mucus and thin the womb lining, interfering with fertilization. According to the NHS organization, 1 out of 10 women that use the patch will experience pregnancy. This method can be used when you want to avoid pregnancy, but STD’s are not a tangible possibility. Likewise, when you are highly active and want to decrease the possibility of ovarian and womb cancer. -Emergency Contraceptive Pills: Also referred to as “morning after pill”. There are 4 different types of emergency contraceptive pills known. 1. Containing a hormone called progestin, this pill reduces the risk of getting pregnant by 88%. 3 "Contraception." NHS Choices -. Your Health, Your Choices, n.d. Web. 07 Apr. 2014. . "Contraceptive Use." World Health Organization. United Nations, n.d. Web. 07 Apr. 2014. . "Types of Contraception." NICHD - The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Official H o m e P a g e . N . p . , n . d . W e b . 0 7 A p r. 2 0 1 4 . < h t t p : / / www.nichd.nih.gov/>. "Emergency Contraception: Pills That Prevent Pregnancy after Sex." Emergency Contraception: Pills That Prevent Pregnancy after Sex. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2014. . "Mirena (hormonal IUD)." Risks. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2014. . "Tubal Ligation (Female Surgical Sterilization)." Tubal Ligation (Female Surgical Sterilization). N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2014. ."Vasectomy Procedure, Effects, Risks, Effectiveness, and More." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2014. .