Contraception
If you are sexually active or are considering having a sexual relationship, you will probably be asking yourself many important questions.
Many women are choosing to postpone pregnancy until they are ready for the commitment and responsibility of childrearing. Women today want to have more control over their lives and they to be able to chose when they start a family. Planning a family is a big step and something that should be well thought out if possible.
Contraception choices varies and have different types of shapes, sizes and formulas. While birth control choices are highly individual, all methods of birth control have the same goal – to prevent pregnancy. All techniques range from mechanical methods that prevent sperm from entering the uterus, hormonal methods that prevent ovulation so that there is no egg to fertilize, or “natural” methods that require some human skill to perfect.
There are 15 different methods of contraception. The type that works best for you will depend on your health and your circumstances.
The most popular apart from the easiest – condoms- including:
Oral contraceptive pills.
Contraceptive pills are one of the most researched and reliable forms of birth control available. This method has been a popular choice of contraception for women of all ages for the last 40 years!
Benefits:
- more regular cycles and reduced menstrual blood flow
- improvement in acne
- lower risk of certain cancers including cancer of the ovaries and endometrium
- abolishes period pains
- makes periods shorter
- makes them lighter.
During the first few packs of the Pill, many women get minor, passing side-effects.
Side effects:
- Slight ‘spotting’ of blood between the periods
- Weight change- slight weight gain
- Dark spots on the face
- Nausea
- Breast tenderness
- Rare warning signs
- Headaches
These side-effects usually go away after the first few packs. If they don’t, it’s very easy to get rid of them by simply switching to another brand.
There is no doubt that the Pill can occasionally cause serious problems like:
- deep vein thrombosis or clotting
- heart attacks
- strokes.
These events are rare, but may happen if you have certain “risk factors”, such as :
- being a smoker
- having a family history of thrombosis or some similar illness
- being overweight
- being diabetic
- having high blood pressure
- having a high cholesterol level
- having a history of phlebitis – vein inflammation
Contraceptive injection
The contraceptive injection protects you against pregnancy for eight weeks or 12 weeks, depending on the type you use.
The injection contains progestogen that thickens the mucus in the cervix, which stops sperm reaching an egg. It also thins the lining of the womb so that an egg can’t implant itself there. Moreover, in some women, it stops ovulation as well .
Major benefits
- The injection lasts for eight weeks or 12 weeks and you don’t need to think about contraception every day
- It is practical for women who can’t use contraception that contains oestrogen.
- It may provide some protection against cancer of the womb and pelvic inflammatory disease.
Side effects
- weight gain
- headaches
- mood swings
- breast tenderness
- irregular bleeding.
- The injection can’t be removed from your body, so if you have side effects, they will persist during 12 weeks, and for some time afterwards.
The Vaginal Hormone Ring
The vaginal hormone ring (NuvaRing) is a new, easy to use, once a month contraceptive method that offers protection against pregnancy without the inconvenience methods. The ring is a unique “combined” hormonal contraceptive method. It consists of a flexible, transparent, plastic ring of about 2 inches and about 1/8″ (4 mm) thick. It contains hormones; estrogen and a progestogen, similar to the ones found in the pill. The ring must be inserted into the vagina and left in place for 3 consecutive weeks. It releases a steady low dose of hormones and prevent pregnancy by stopping ovulation.
Benefits:
- do not have to remember to take a pill daily
- easy to use
- only a very low dose of hormones is required
- allows for sex to be spontaneous
- more regular cycles, less pain and reduced menstrual blood flow
- improvement in acne
- lower risk of certain cancers including cancer of the ovaries and endometrium
Side effects:
- vaginal discharge and irritation
- breakthrough bleeding
- nausea
- breast tenderness
Implants
The implant is a six match-sized plastic rods which your family physician or gynecologist inserts under the skin of your upper arm, using a local anesthetic. A small (40mm), flexible tube containing progestogen that which stops ovulation and/or thickens the cervical mucus just like contraceptive injection. The implant is a method that offers prolonged protection against pregnancy.
Benefits:
- do not have to remember to take a daily pill
- do not have to plan when to have sex
- protects against pregnancy for 3-5 years
Side Effects:
- Headache
- Irregular menstrual bleeding
- Weight Change
- Depression
- Ovarian Cysts
- Breast Tenderness
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