Dorothy FarrarContraceptives
Contraceptives are the collective term for methods of contraception. At the same time, some of them minimize the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, but the main task remains prevention of pregnancy.
What are contraceptives?
Contraceptives are subdivided into barrier methods, surgical procedures, hormonal contraception and natural family planning, although not every contraceptive can be clearly grouped. However, the latter form of contraception is seen more as a method of planning a pregnancy than as a really safe contraceptive. Barrier method contraceptives prevent sperm from reaching the egg by creating a mechanical barrier.
The surgical procedure of sterilization is only rarely used, since it is irreversible in women and still represents a surgical intervention with all the risks in men. Hormonal contraception is considered very safe, but is currently only available for women. A pill for men is being developed, but is not yet ready for the market. However, hormonal contraceptives also have side effects and are not tolerated by every woman. Natural family planning, on the other hand, can be understood as a means of contraception, but is very uncertain in this function, since it documents physical changes and hardly takes into account that these can have a background other than the fertile days.
Effect and medical application
A contraceptive should be used from the time of sexual maturity and even better before that, if girls and boys are already sexually active at this age. For example, a mid-teen girl who has not yet had her first menstrual period will still need to use birth control because her first ovulation could occur at any time. Barrier methods must be put in place before each sexual act; For example, condoms are rolled over the member, a diaphragm inserted into the vagina and treated with spermicide beforehand. This requires some preparation and also correct handling, as this can have a significant impact on pregnancy protection.
Hormonal methods are a bit simpler, as they usually involve taking one pill at the same time each day. Alternatives are hormone patches or vaginal rings, which only need to be replaced occasionally. Even more long-term methods are implants. The hormone-free IUD or the copper chain, which cause a kind of inflammation in the uterus so that no fertilized egg could implant itself, are also long-term.
Once used, the woman only needs to think about it again years later when the spiral is changed. Natural contraceptives require close monitoring of a woman’s menstrual cycle and physical changes such as basal body temperature and cervical mucus to determine fertile days. However, since such signs can also be changed by other influences, natural family planning can hardly be regarded as a contraceptive.
shapes and groups
Many contraceptives fall into one group: hormonal, surgical, natural, or barrier method. Barrier methods are over the counter and do not require a prescription and include condoms or diaphragms. Hormonal contraception in the form of birth control pills requires a prescription and is sold under a number of trade names. One form of this is the mini pill with a very low dose of active ingredient. Hormone patches, implants (sticks), vaginal rings and three-month injections, all of which are hormone-based, are only available from the doctor. The spiral or copper chain, which is difficult to classify, is inserted into the uterus by the doctor and works very reliably there for years. In addition to free natural family planning, there is also the option of surgical sterilization.
dosage
Some contraceptives, such as the condom, do not need to be dosed at all, but with others, such as the hormonal group of contraceptives, the dose is very important. The contraceptive pill, for example, is constantly being improved; today’s generation no longer contains the extreme amounts of hormones of the first generation of the last century. Every contraceptive that depends on a dosage has notes on its packaging on how to take it and use it correctly. Since these contraceptives usually require a prescription anyway, the gynecologist will also inform the patient about them. The dosage for contraceptives that have a long-term effect, such as the three-month injection or the rod implant, is somewhat simpler.
Herbal, natural and pharmaceutical alternatives
The various contraceptives among themselves offer a sensible alternative if the patient is dissatisfied with their current contraceptive. If a woman does not tolerate the contraceptive pill, there are many other preparations that are suitable for her, or she uses another (hormonal) contraceptive. In addition to these “recognized” contraceptives, there are other forms of contraception, but they are not safe. A variant is coitus interruptus, in which sexual intercourse is ended before ejaculation. However, this does not offer comparable pregnancy protection.
Interactions and side effects
Depending on the group of contraceptives, side effects and interactions are either non-existent or very numerous. Hormonal contraceptives are particularly prone to this.
Because they contain hormones, they interact with a number of preparations, including antibiotics . They also have side effects that vary from contraceptive to contraceptive.
Whenever a medicinal substance is taken or used for contraception, attention should be paid to possible side effects, which can be found on the package insert or which the attending doctor can explain in detail.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.