Birth Control

Contraception helps one to choose when one needs to have a baby. Some of the contraceptive methods also help to protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

The two different approaches to contraception are

• using physical methods
• use of behavioural methods

Physical methods of contraception

The various physical methods are:

• barrier methods
• intrauterine methods
• hormonal methods
• using centchroman
• induced abortion
• emergency contraception
• sterilization

Barrier Methods help to prevent the sperm from moving into the female reproductive system. The most commonly used barrier is the usage of condoms in men. Females’ condoms are also available now. Another barrier method is usage of contraceptive sponge over the cervix.

The usage of spermicide before intercourse can result in creating a chemical barrier. The spermicides can be used alone or along with other physical barriers.

The hormonal barriers include a combination of artificial progestins and oestrogen, which form an oral contraceptive pill, the contraceptive vaginal ring as well as the Patch. It is also used in the form of an injection, Lunelle.

The oral contraceptive pills must be avoided in the following cases:

• extreme obesity
• if the woman has already had blood clots
• varicose veins
• immobility
• hypertension
• diabetes
• family history of heart attack, stroke or thrombosis below forty five years.
• smoking
• migraine

The progesterone-only pill that is available has lesser side effects, but it can cause lighter periods or irregular menstrual cycle.

Intrauterine devices, called oils, can be used to prevent the sperm coming to contact with the egg. It releases copper that increase the count of white blood cells of the cervix, thereby killing the sperm.

Intrauterine systems are the t-shaped devices containing progesterone that prevent the fertilisation of the egg by making the womb lining not suitable for implanting.

Sterilisation is a surgical method which is done to make both women and men infertile. It is used by those people who do not need more children. Vasectomy, or male sterilisation, does not show any immediate effects. Condom needs to be used unless he receives a report that shows total sperm absence.

Natural method is the least reliable contraceptive method. This includes avoiding sexual intercourse when the woman is fertile. This method is very effective for long term relationships. For natural methods, the menstrual cycle of the woman must be regular.

Emergency contraception ca be used in cases where one wants to avoid unwanted pregnancy due to unprotected sex or the failure of the contraceptive device. A hormone, that is like oral contraceptive will be administered within seventy two hours of unprotected sex. IUD can also be inserted, but it depends on the date of the last periods and the date of unprotected sex.

In certain cases abortion may be done using drugs where the gestation periods have not crossed eight weeks.

The behavioural methods of contraception include:

• The awareness about menstrual cycle and the period of fertility.
• Knowledge about withdrawal method or coitus interruptus.
• Awareness about amenorrhoea during lactation
• Avoiding vaginal intercourse.

‘