Contraception

What is Contraception?

Contraception, known as birth control, prevents pregnancy by interfering with conception and implantation.

Who is Suitable for Contraception?

Contraception is suitable for individuals who wish to prevent pregnancy or space their pregnancies apart. The decision to use contraception depends on various factors and should be made in consultation with your doctor. Here are some general considerations for different groups of people:

• Women: Contraception is primarily targeted towards women as they bear the physical burden of pregnancy. Women who are sexually active and do not wish to become pregnant can consider using contraception. There are numerous contraceptive options available for women, including hormonal methods (such as birth control pills, patches, injections, and implants), intrauterine devices (IUDs), barrier methods (such as condoms and diaphragms), and fertility awareness-based methods.
• Men: While men cannot directly use hormonal or intrauterine contraceptive methods, they can still actively participate in contraception decisions and use barrier methods such as condoms to prevent pregnancy. Condoms act as contraception and protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• Couples: Couples who are sexually active and wish to avoid pregnancy can choose from various contraceptive methods. It is often beneficial for both partners to discuss and decide on the most suitable contraceptive method based on their preferences, health considerations, effectiveness, and potential side effects.
• Adolescents: Teenagers who are sexually active or planning to engage in sexual activity should also consider contraception. Open and honest discussions with healthcare providers, parents, or trusted adults can help adolescents make informed decisions about contraception. They can explore options such as condoms, birth control pills, or long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) like IUDs or implants, which are highly effective and require less user compliance.
• Individuals with medical conditions: Some medical conditions, such as certain types of heart disease, blood clotting disorders, or breast cancer, may limit the choice of contraceptive methods. It is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional who can recommend the most appropriate contraceptive option based on an individual's medical history and specific needs.

Benefits of Contraception

Contraception offers several benefits to individuals and society as a whole, including:

• Pregnancy prevention: It allows individuals or couples to have greater control over their reproductive choices and the timing of having children. This can contribute to personal, educational, and career goals and well-being.
• Family planning: Contraception enables individuals and couples to plan their families according to their desires and circumstances. It allows space for pregnancies, ensuring adequate time for physical recovery, emotional preparation, and financial stability between children. Family planning can lead to healthier outcomes for both parents and children.
• Improved maternal and child health: Adequate spacing between pregnancies, which can be achieved through contraception, is associated with better maternal and child health outcomes. It allows women to recover from childbirth and replenish their nutrient stores before becoming pregnant again, reducing the risks of maternal and infant complications.
• Reduced maternal and infant mortality: Access to effective contraception helps reduce maternal mortality rates by allowing women to avoid unplanned pregnancies that may pose health risks. It also decreases the likelihood of unsafe abortions, which can be life-threatening. Furthermore, when pregnancies are planned and timed appropriately, it contributes to healthier pregnancies, safer deliveries, and lower infant mortality rates.
• Economic benefits: Contraception has positive economic implications at both individual and societal levels. Controlling individuals to plan their families can enhance educational opportunities and career prospects, especially for women. It allows individuals to make informed decisions about their reproductive choices based on their financial capacity and overall well-being.
• Prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Some contraceptive methods, such as condoms, provide a dual benefit by preventing pregnancy and reducing the transmission of STIs. Condoms act as a barrier method, effectively preventing the exchange of bodily fluids and reducing the risk of STI transmission during sexual activity.
• Empowerment and gender equality: Access to contraception empowers individuals, particularly women, by giving them greater control over their reproductive health. It allows them to decide about their bodies, sexuality, and plans. Contraception plays a crucial role in promoting gender equality, as it helps to prevent unintended pregnancies that may disproportionately impact women's educational and career opportunities.

The specific benefits of contraception can vary depending on the method used, individual circumstances, and preferences. Gynaecologists can provide detailed information on different contraceptive options and help individuals choose the most suitable method based on their needs and goals.

Types of Contraceptive Methods

There are several different methods of contraception for both women and men, which may suit you at different times in your life.

Natural Planning Method

Natural family planning (NFP) or fertility awareness does not require medication, physical devices, or surgery to prevent pregnancy. This method relies on the woman's body physiology to know the time of ovulation. This method involves monitoring different body changes, such as basal body temperature or cervical mucus variations. The woman then abstains from unprotected sex for approximately 7 to 10 days when she may have ovulated.

Barrier Methods

These are the most common and involve using a physical barrier to prevent the sperm from entering the woman's uterus. Methods include

• Male condom: a thin latex or polyurethane covering rolled over the erect penis before sexual intercourse.
• Female condom: a polyurethane tube inserted into the vagina before sexual intercourse.
• Spermicides: a substance that kills the sperm.

Hormonal Methods

• Synthetic and natural hormones may be taken orally, implanted into body tissue or placed in the vagina. They prevent ovaries from releasing eggs, thicken mucus around the cervix and thin the womb's lining. They are up to 99.7% effective, depending on the method used and how they are used. Options include:
• Combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP): contains the hormones oestrogen and progesterone.
• Mini pill or progesterone-only pill(POP): contains a synthetic form of only one hormone, progesterone.
• Vaginal ring: A 'one size fits all' ring placed into the vagina to release hormones slowly. The ring only lasts for three weeks.

Intrauterine Devices (IUD)

An intrauterine device (IUD) is a small, T-shaped contraceptive inserted into the uterus by a doctor. IUDs are a long-acting form of birth control and can remain in place for several years.

There are two main types of IUDs: those that release hormones, such as levonorgestrel (a type of progesterone), and those that are non-hormonal and made of copper. The hormonal IUDs work by thickening the cervix's mucus, making it difficult for sperm to reach and fertilise an egg and by thinning the lining of the uterus, preventing implantation. The copper IUD creates a uterine environment that is inhospitable to sperm.

Most IUDs are more than 99% effective and work by changing the environment of the uterus so sperm cannot survive. One such type of intrauterine contraceptive device is Mirena.

Sterilisation

Sterilisation is a type of permanent contraception. It involves either a vasectomy (for men) or a tubal ligation (for women) and is used for individuals who do not intend to have children in the future.

Your Choice of Contraceptive Methods

The choice may depend on the following:

• a person's age
• health condition
• frequency of sexual activity
• number of sexual partners
• desire to have children
• certain medical conditions.

Always discuss the birth control method you choose with your doctor.