CONTRACEPTION METHODS

CONTRACEPTION METHODS

What is birth control or contraception?

Birth control or contraception is how a couple prevents pregnancy.

What are the types of contraceptives?

According to a Gynaecologist in DHA karachi many aspects need to be considered by couples whenever they are choosing a contraceptive method. And these aspects revolve around effectiveness, safety, affordability, accessibility and acceptability.

While selecting a method of contraception protection from HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases should also be considered.

Following are different types of contraceptive methods:

  • Male Condoms: For this method male partners usually have to wear a latex condom over their penis which blocks the sperm from entering the women’s body. This method is quite effective and prevents most STDs. 15% of the couples who rely on male condoms get pregnant every year.
  • Female condoms: Female condoms look like thin plastic pouches and they work by lining the woman’s vagina. It can be used by positioning it inside the vagina using a flexible plastic ring that is available at the closed end of the pouch. 21% users of this method get pregnant every year.
  • Oral contraception: For oral contraception or the pill method women need to take a pill everyday. These pills contain hormones like estrogen and progestin, which prevent your body from ovulating. Patients are supposed to take the pill at the same time each day. You need to have a prescription from a gynaecologist to be able to take these pills as these pills can cause spotting, blood clots, high blood pressure and tenderness in the breasts.
  • The patch method: Women who forget to take the pills daily can use the birth control patch. What you need to do is stick it on your skin and change it only once a week for three weeks and go a week without it too. The patch releases estrogen and progestin and works just like birth control pills.
  • Birth control shot: The birth control shot or injection contains the hormone progestin and women are supposed to get it after every three months. The failure rate of this method is 3%.
  • Copper IUD:  Copper IUD (Intrauterine Device) is a small device that is shaped just like a T. A doctor places it inside the uterus of a woman. What this device does is that it releases a small amount of progestin every day which prevents pregnancy. Copper IUD can stay in your uterus for approximately 10 years.
  • Birth control implant: This method uses a matchstick sized rod that a doctor inserts in the upper arm of a woman’s body. The rod works by releasing progestin in the body for over three years. It should be removed after three years.
  • Diaphragm:  It is a rubber dome that women are supposed to place over their cervix before having sex. This is an expensive method that provides no protection from STDs. Out of hundred women who use this method 16 get pregnant.
  • Vaginal ring: Vaginal ring is a ring made out of soft plastic that is supposed to go in the vagina. The ring works just like the pill and the patch by releasing hormones to prevent the pregnancy. There are two types of rings available in the market, one needs to be changed every week while the other should be replaced every month.
  • Spermicide:  In this method a jelly or cream goes inside the vagina before intercourse that is made up of a chemical that kills sperm. Most of these creams are supposed to be placed in the vagina at least 30 minutes ahead. If used frequently this method can cause infections and expose you to STDs. Even though it is easy to use and inexpensive, most people prefer to use other types of birth control methods along with it.
  • Birth control sponge: It is a foam-like thing that contains spermicide. How this method works is that the women are supposed to place it in their cervix at least 24 hours before they have sex. This method doesn’t require any prescription. Some cons of this sponge are that it can be hard to put in and it doesn’t provide any protection from STDs.

What are some permanent birth control methods?

If you think that you don’t want to get pregnant ever in your life then a Gynecologist in Johar Town Lahore suggests that you’re ready to go for permanent birth control methods which are:

Tubal ligation: It is a surgical procedure that is known as “getting your tubes tied” in the laymen language. For this method fallopian tubes are cut, tied and blocked to prevent pregnancy permanently. The method works by not letting the sperm and egg travel to the uterus through fallopian tubes. This procedure has no impact on a woman’s regular menstrual cycle.

Vasectomy: Vasectomy or male sterilization is a procedure in which the vasa deferentia are cut and sealed to prevent sperm from entering the semen. Sperm is still made in your body but it doesn’t come out along with semen. The body absorbs the sperm.