A very general question in today’s world would be what is contraception? Or if we elaborate on the questions further, what is the correct definition of contraception?
The other name for contraception is known as birth control which is designed to prevent pregnancy. Birthday control methods prove to work in multiple ways which can be either preventing the sperm from entering the eggs. These include condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps and contraceptive sponges. Preventing the ovaries to release eggs that could get fertilised is also a way to prevent pregnancy which are birth control pills, patches, shots, vaginal rings and emergency contraceptive pills. Other methods would be IUDs, sterilisation etc.
Reversible Methods of Birth Control
- LNG IUD – Levonorgestrel intrauterine system is a small T shaped device which can also be coined as Copper T IUD. It’s placed inside the uterus by a doctor and it releases a small amount of progestin each day which prevents individuals from getting pregnant. The LNG stays in the uterus for almost around 3-6 years.
- IUD – It’s a small device that is shaped in the form of a “T”. This instrument or device is also placed in the uterus and it prevents pregnancy. It can stay in the uterus for up to 10 years.
Hormonal methods of controlling birth
- Implantation – it’s a single rod that is inserted under the skin of a women’s upper arm. The rod contains a progestin which is released into the body for 3 years.
- Injection – females get shots of the hormone progestin in the buttocks or arm every three months to prevent pregnancy.
- Oral contraceptives – famously known as “the pill” which is combined with oral contraceptives contains the hormones oestrogen and progestin. It’s prescribed by a doctor. The typical use failure rate of this contraceptive is 7%.
- Progestin-only pill – unlike “the pill”, the progestin-only pill (which is called the mini-pill) only contains one hormone, progestin instead of both progestin and oestrogen. It’s also prescribed by a doctor and is taken at the same time each day. It’s a good option for women who can’t intake oestrogen-containing pills.
- Patch – it’s worn under the lower abdomen, buttocks or the upper body (except the breasts). This releases both progestin and oestrogen into the bloodstream. A new patch can be worn after every 3 weeks and during the 4th week, it should not be worn so that the menstrual period occurs.
- Hormonal vaginal contraceptive ring – this is a ring that secretes hormones such as progestin and oestrogen. It’s placed in the vagina and like a patch, it’s being worn for 3 weeks and should be taken out on the week when periods occur.
Through Barrier Method
- Male condom – which is considered to be a thin sheet of latex worn by males which keeps the sperm from getting into a women’s body. It’s the most common type of contraceptive which is worn by couples or individuals during sex as it prevents not only pregnancy but STDs and HIV too. “Natural” condoms also prevent pregnancy however they may not protect against STDs including HIV. Condoms should be used once and these can be purchased at a drug store. It’s always advised that the use of lubricants such as baby oil, lotions or petroleum jelly, massage oils should not be used as that can weaken the condom causing it to tear or break.
- Female condom – a female condom helps to keep sperm from getting into the body. It’s packed with lubricants and normally available at drug stores. It can be inserted up to 8 hours before sexual intercourse may also prevent STDs.
The Permanent Methods of Controlling Pregnancy
When the question is asked “what is the meaning of contraception ? “, certainly these two methods are being commonly discussed or practised as permanently stopping pregnancy can be seen in older women or someone who doesn’t want to have pregnancy but enjoy their life to the fullest. Let us discuss these two methods which are –
- Female sterilisation- when the fallopian tubes of a woman are tied so that the sperm cannot meet the eggs for fertilisation. This procedure is done in a hospital or a surgical centre. It’s a much more generalised way of preventing pregnancy and its effects immediately.
- Male sterilisation or Vasectomy – this is an operation that is done to keep a man’s sperm from going into his penis. So the ejaculation happens but it doesn’t contain sperms which can fertilise an egg. This procedure is also done at a surgical centre and males can go home after the procedure safely and can come back for check-ups to have a count on sperm production as the recovery time is less than a week.
Conclusion
The correct definition of contraception would be preventable measures to stop pregnancy taken by males, women or couples at any given point of time in their life. Choosing the correct and better method to not only prevent pregnancy but also HIV and STDs so that a healthy lifestyle can be followed. It proves to work in multiple ways which can be either preventing the sperm from entering the eggs or stopping the release of hormones in the individual body. A few of the methods are sterilisation, IUDs, contraceptive pills etc.