Contraceptives and their types

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Married women begin to look for different contraceptives to prevent pregnancy after the age of 30. Because by this time, the woman and the husband are planning a pregnancy. There are many types of contraceptives available today, but which one is convenient and safe? We will discuss this in more detail below.

First of all, we will tell you about contraception - the most effective method of contraception:

1st place. Surgical sterilization (surgical restriction of pregnancy) and hormonal contraception;

2nd place. Intrauterine spiral;

3rd place. Condoms. The rate of contraception with this tool is 10%;

4th place. Spermicides;

5th place. Stopping sexual intercourse during ejaculation.

Hormonal contraceptives

Nowadays, hormonal contraception is the most convenient way to avoid unplanned pregnancies. Hormonal contraceptives, on the one hand, completely protect against pregnancy, on the other hand, slow down the aging of the female body and prolong the menopause. The main thing is that there are no contraindications to the drug. Such contraception is widely used by married women. However, hormonal medications may not help because some women have a strong tendency to become pregnant. Therefore, before using hormonal contraceptives, it is necessary to take into account certain conditions: the woman must be over 30 years of age, the drugs are prescribed only by a gynecologist, who must undergo special tests to prescribe it. Types of hormonal contraceptives:

Oral contraceptives

In general, almost all oral contraceptives have the same effect: 21 tablets, consisting of hormones, are taken orally and have an anti-pregnancy effect. However, not everything is as easy as you might think, and the dosage of hormones may vary in some medications. There are also gestogenic (single) oral contraceptives and combined (mixed) oral contraceptive hormones. Which one is better to choose?

Everything here requires an individual approach. It is recommended that women over the age of 30 take less hormones because such drugs are well absorbed by the body. Currently, the hormone dose in oral contraceptives does not exceed 20 mcg. Also keep in mind that some diseases have contraindications to oral contraceptives.

Contraceptive patch

Contraceptive patches are better absorbed by the body than hormonal contraceptive pills. Hormones are also absorbed when using patches, but not by the gastrointestinal tract. In this way, if there are problems in the digestive system, the plaster is much easier to use. Its side effects are minimal and the dose is also mild. Another advantage is the ease of application of plasters. You don’t need to take it like a pill every day, you just place it once, the effect lasts for a week. The patches usually contain 3 patches, 3 of which are placed on the skin, with a break at 4 weeks. The disadvantages are that the gynecologist will need a doctor's advice. Patches also have side effects and contraindications, such as hormonal contraceptives.

Subcutaneous depot

The mechanism of action of this tool is the same as in the patch: that is, the constant release of hormones. Only, the depot is placed under the skin, not on the skin. It is not difficult to place a small depot device under the skin - such a procedure can be performed by any gynecologist, but to get it back is a bit problematic, the skin will need to be cut in small volumes. The difference between devices that have a depot is their exposure time, which ranges from a few weeks to several months. Disadvantages require the advice of a gynecologist, there are contraindications and side effects, in addition, you can not place the device under the skin independently.

Vaginal rings

The vaginal ring should not be confused with the diaphragm that is placed in the vagina! Vaginal rings are made on the basis of high technology, its diameter is up to 4 cm and it is thin. Its composition consists of a depot of silicone and hormonal contraceptives. This device is comfortable, does not interfere with sex, and a woman does not even notice the presence of a foreign body. The ring is also easy to place, is placed in the vagina after menstruation and stays in this place for 3 weeks. During this time, hormones are produced from the ring and it protects against pregnancy. After 21 days, the ring should be removed and paused for 1 week. Disadvantages need the advice of a gynecologist, there are contraindications and side effects. Before using this tool, it is necessary to pay attention to the cleanliness of the vagina, if any fluids are released from the vagina, these problems may be exacerbated in the background of the placement of the ring.

Intrauterine spiral

Women who have given birth to this type of contraception are more likely to use it, which is convenient for those who do not intend to plan a pregnancy in the coming years. The intrauterine coil is placed by the doctor during menstruation, and if all goes well, the coil will remain in the uterus for 3-5 years. Its placement takes into account the absence of diseases of the genital tract, the cleanliness of the vagina and any other diseases of any kind.

The intrauterine spiral is divided into mechanical and hormonal types. A mechanical coil is simply a foreign (protective) body that is located in the cervix and protects against pregnancy. Hormonal spirals have 2 different effects: foreign (protective) body and hormonal substance. The hormonal coil also has a therapeutic effect, for example, hormonal substances also have a therapeutic effect in uterine fibroids and endometriosis.

Deficiencies of the mechanical coil can increase bleeding during menstruation. Gynecological examinations should be performed regularly during IUD insertion.

The disadvantages of hormonal coils are that they are much more expensive than mechanical coils, even 5-7 times. It can cause some problems in the body's adaptation to hormones, and vaginal discharge is observed.

Spermicides

The difference between such contraceptives and hormonal drugs is that they can be taken without gynecological supervision. Spermicides are a chemical type of contraception - in the form of special suppositories, creams. The form of the drugs varies, but the mechanism of action is the same: sperm blockade. If there are no defects in the application, it is completely prevented from pregnancy if it is applied to the vagina 15 minutes before sexual intercourse. In addition, spermicides also have antibacterial properties, which also protect the genitals from certain infectious diseases.

Disadvantages The level of protection against pregnancy with spermicides is 80%, less than with hormonal drugs. Also feeling discomfort (in both women and men). Spermicides can irritate the mucous membranes and even cause allergies. Of course, not everyone likes it, foaming at the mouth during sex.

Vaginal caps and diaphragms

These types of contraceptives are a much outdated method, and it is also much harder to find them in pharmacies. In addition, they are inconvenient and inefficient. Those who wish can get information about them from old literature.

Condoms

Mechanical contraception is the most common and convenient method. More young mothers use condoms. Condoms vary depending on the material from which they are made. They should be as reliable and durable as possible. To increase the sensation during sex, condoms have bumps on the outside.

The disadvantage is latex allergies in some people. Feeling uncomfortable during sex, especially for men, is more of a “shoe-like situation” for them.

Prevention of pregnancy by the calendar method

For women over the age of 30, the calendar method is also more convenient and effective. To use this method, a woman's menstrual cycle must be normal, regular. The mechanism of operation of the calendar method is as follows: to do this, mark the "dangerous" days, ie the day that corresponds to half of the menstrual cycle. Usually this day falls on the 14th day of the menstrual cycle and the egg cell becomes active within 24 hours of separation. If the egg cell is not fertilized during this time, it will die. From the 16th day of the menstrual cycle, the pregnancy rate is minimal. It is almost impossible to get pregnant even in the first days of the menstrual cycle and during menstruation. By the middle of the menstrual cycle, the chances of an egg cell fertilizing are high. The fact is that male sperm have the ability to live for several days in the female genital tract. For example, if sexual intercourse is performed on the 10th day of the menstrual cycle, the egg cell can be fertilized by the 14th day.

Disadvantages require knowing the exact day of ovulation. There are 2 ways to detect it: you need to measure your basal body temperature or use a test that detects ovulation (line 2 of the test indicates ovulation in the next 36 hours). This method often does not give more than 65% results.

Stop having sex

Preventing pregnancy by stopping sex after the age of 30 is the least effective method. Because the man does not notice that ejaculation is beginning, for the man there is a situation like "there is still time" but "it's too late".

Surgery to limit pregnancy

If a woman is over 35 and has at least 2 children, she can use this method if she does not want to plan a pregnancy. In surgical practice: ligation of the uterine tube using laproscopy is based on the loss of its permeability. This means that the pregnancy has stopped completely. Surgery is an irreversible process, if a woman wants to have another child, she will have an ECO procedure or a re-opening of the fallopian tube.