9 types of contraception you can use to prevent pregnancy: Getting frisky does not have to be a perilous endeavor – not with the variety of contraception techniques available to meet a variety of needs.
Contraception can be used to avoid pregnancy, and certain forms also protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
You may find yourself wondering which strategy is ideal for you and your lifestyle. Which strategy is the most effective at preventing STIs?
How about ease of use? Consequences? Cost? How effective is it going to be?
1. Condom: The condom is the only method of contraception that protects against the majority of sexually transmitted infections while also preventing pregnancy. This type of contraception is reversible, hormone-free, and easily portable. And it is available in both male and female forms.
Male condoms are rolled around an erect penis and operate as a physical barrier, preventing sexual fluids from being exchanged between partners during sex. Female condoms are inserted into the vagina just prior to intercourse. Female condoms are not quite as effective as male latex condoms in usual use, and they may require some experience to adjust to.
Pros include the following: it provides the best protection against STIs; it is available on demand; and it is hormone-free.
Read also: Using condoms or birth control: What’s better for your s*x life?
Cons include the following: If not used properly, it might tear or come off during sex; some people are allergic to latex condoms.
2. Oral Contraceptives: It is the small tablet that is taken once day. The oral contraceptive pill is the method of contraception most frequently reported by Australian women. There are several different sorts of pills available; the key is to choose the one that is suitable for you.
The combo pill contains estrogen and progestin, whereas the tiny tablet just contains progestin. While the tablet may have numerous benefits, it is critical to remember to take it on time.
The benefits of taking the pill include the following: it is highly successful when used properly; it allows for sexual spontaneity and does not stop sex; some pills may even help lessen heavy and painful periods and/or improve acne.
Cons include the following: forgetting to take your pill reduces its effectiveness; it is only available to women; it is not ideal for women who cannot use oestrogen-containing contraception; and it does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
The pill is only accessible with a physician’s prescription, so make an appointment with your local doctor or sexual health center.
The oral contraceptive pill is taken once daily and is currently the most frequently used method of contraception in Australia.
3. Intrauterine Contraption (IUD): This little, T-shaped device is constructed of progesterone-containing material or plastic and copper and is implanted into the uterus of a woman by a qualified healthcare provider. It is a long-acting, reversible method of contraception that can last between three and ten years, depending on the type.
Certain types of IUDs contain hormones that are released gradually to prevent conception. Additionally, if fitted by a healthcare expert within five days (120 hours) of having unprotected sex, the IUD can be an effective emergency contraception.
IUDs containing copper are 99 percent successful, while those containing hormones are 99.8 percent effective, which means you’re about as protected as a contraceptive device can provide.
Cons include: irregular bleeding and spotting occur during the first six months of use; insertion and removal require the assistance of a certified healthcare provider; does not protect against STIs.
4. Implantable Contraceptive Device: A short, flexible rod is inserted beneath the skin of a woman’s upper arm with this procedure, which releases a version of the hormone progesterone. The hormone inhibits the ovary from releasing the egg and thickens the cervical mucus, making sperm entry into the womb more difficult. The implant involves a brief operation under local anesthetic to fit and remove, and it must be changed every three years.
The implant has several advantages: it is highly effective; it does not interfere with sex; and it is a long-lasting, reversible method of contraception.
Cons include the following: insertion and removal require the assistance of a skilled healthcare provider; initial bleeding may be erratic; does not protect against STIs.
Women may elect to utilize the implant as a long-term method of contraception.
5. The Intrauterine Contraceptive Injection:
The injection comprises a synthetic progestogen hormone.
It is injected into a woman’s buttock or upper arm and gradually released into her bloodstream over the next 12 weeks.
Pros: The injection is effective for up to three months; it allows for sexual spontaneity and does not interfere with sex.
Cons: The injection may stop menstruation or produce irregular bleeding; it requires tracking the number of months used; it does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
6. Emergency Contraception Pill (sometimes referred to as the ‘Morning After’ Pill): The Emergency Contraception Pill can be used to prevent pregnancy following sex if contraception was not used, a condom broke during sex, or a woman was sexually assaulted.
While it is occasionally referred to as the ‘Morning After’ pill, it is effective for up to five days following unprotected sex. It is most effective when taken within three days of sex; when taken within three days of sex, it prevents approximately 85 percent of predicted pregnancies.
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This pill contains a dose of female hormones that is not found in other pills. Any woman, including those who are unable to use other oral contraceptives, may use the emergency contraceptive pill. It is available without a prescription from pharmacies and chemists.
The emergency contraceptive is frequently associated with nausea and vomiting, and the subsequent period may be early or delayed. Emergency contraception does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
7. Ring of Contraception: This approach entails the woman inserting a flexible plastic ring that continuously releases hormones into her vagina. It remains in place for three weeks, at which point you remove it, take a week off, and replace it with another.
The ring secretes oestrogen and progesterone. These are the same hormones as those found in the combined oral contraceptive pill, but in a reduced amount.
Pros include the ability to insert and remove a vaginal ring independently; this type of contraception has few adverse effects, allows for control of your cycles, and allows for rapid re-establishment of fertility after the ring is removed.
Cons include the following: it is not suitable for women who cannot use oestrogen-containing contraception; you must remember to replace it on time; and it does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
8. Diaphragm: A diaphragm is a tiny, flexible silicone dome that is inserted into the vagina to prevent sperm from entering the uterus. It acts similarly to a condom in that it creates a physical barrier between the man’s sperm and the woman’s egg.
After sex, the diaphragm must remain in place for at least six hours. It should be removed and cleaned six hours – but no later than 24 hours – after sex.
Some advantages include the fact that you can reuse the diaphragm and that it can last up to two years with proper care.
Some disadvantages: Using a diaphragm needs practice and necessitates tracking the hours inserted. When used properly, the diaphragm works somewhat well, although not as well as the pill, a contraceptive implant, or an IUD.
While diaphragms may appear to be a ‘old-fashioned’ method of contraception, may they be the technique of your choice?
9. Cleaning and disinfection: Through open or minimally invasive surgery, sterilization is the process of completely removing the body’s ability to procreate. It is a permanent type of contraception that is appropriate for persons who are certain they will never desire children or will never have any more. Sterilisation is available to both men and women and is performed under general anesthesia in a hospital.
If you are considering sterilisation, you should discuss the following with your doctor: your reasons for wanting to be sterilised, whether other methods of contraception may be more suitable, and any possible side effects, risks, or complications associated with the treatment.
