Contraception: Forms, Options, Risks & Effectiveness

What Is Contraception?

Contraception refers to the methods and techniques used in preventing pregnancy. This remains an important factor in family planning, health, and reproductive physiology since it puts control over fertility in people's and their partners' hands.

Types Of Contraceptive Methods

Barrier Methods

Barrier methods are a physical prevention of sperm from getting to the egg. The commonest barrier options include:

The oldest and most commonly used methods include:

• Condoms: These guarantee high effectiveness against unintended pregnancy and STIs.

• Diaphragms: A barrier is placed over the cervix, used in conjunction with spermicide.

Hormonal Methods

Hormonal contraception works by altering the levels of some of a woman's sex hormones to prevent ovulation. They include:

• Oral Contraceptives: These are tablets taken daily that work in controlling the hormone thus preventing ovulation.

• Hormonal Implants: the tiny rods are implanted under the skin. The rods slowly release specified hormones.

Intrauterine Devices

• The tiny devices inserted into the uterus are either hormonal or copper. They offer protection from getting pregnant for a long time.

Natural Family Planning

The natural methods require one should be able to monitor fertility signs. The methods are:

• Basal Body Temperature: The records of the elevation of the basal body temperature will confirm ovulation.

• Cervical Mucus Monitoring: Note changes in the cervical mussels to monitor fertile days

Permanent Contraception

Permanent methods are surgical methods for those who do not want children in the future

• Tubal Ligation: the female's fallopian tubes are blocked

• Vasectomy: the male's vas deferens is cut

Effectiveness Rates

• IUD and Implants: More than 99 per cent effective.

• Hormonal Methods: 91-99% effective, depending on use

• Barrier Methods: 82-98% effective, depending on correct use

Perfect Use vs. Typical Use

There is a need to differentiate between perfect and usual use when using the different contraceptive measures.

Factors To Consider In Choosing Contraception

Health Factors

A patient should consult a healthcare provider about health factors that one is already living with and which would impact the choice of contraception.

Lifestyle Preference.

Among the factors that one considers in choosing contraception would be your lifestyle, how frequently one has sex, and how comfortable one may feel with a given method.

Possible Side Effects And Risks

The public needs to be informed of the possible side effects of a given birth control measure which could be hormonal change, headaches, or even allergic reactions.