The right choice of contraception can be an important part of your happy sexual relationship. To find the method that's right for you, you should talk to your partner and your doctor about what you need. When you see your doctor, discuss the effectiveness of the chosen method, how easy it is to obtain and use and any possible side effects.
- Hormone Birth Control Method
- Barrier Contraception
- Alternative Contraception
Hormone Birth Control Method
Contraceptive pills allow more effective family planning and spontaneous sex with minimal risk of becoming pregnant. Modern formulations offer high percentage protection against pregnancy. The pill rarely causes side effects, although these may occur in some women. When considering your suitability for hormonal contraception, your gynaecologist will conduct a thorough assessment for your risk factors.
Barrier Contraception
Birth control methods which prevent sperm from entering a woman's uterus are known as barrier contraception.
The best known types - male & female condoms - are essential for people starting new relationships and when practising safe sex. They help prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted disease (STDs) from being passed from one person to another. The condom can come off or break during sexual activity, leaving you at risk of pregnancy and STDs.
- Diaphgram or Cervical Cap
A soft latex or plastic dome fits inside the vagina covering the cervix and is used with a spermicide. It prevents semen from entering the uterus; any sperm that do bypass the cap are killed or disabled by the spermicide. To make sure that no sperm survive, the diaphragm needs to be kept in place for six to eight hours after intercourse. It is not suitable for pregnant mother. You will be prone to bladder, vaginal or urinary tract infections if fitted incorrectly.
Various forms of spermicide are used with barrier contraception to kill any sperm that escape condom, diaphragm or cap. They are known to cause allergic reactions in some women. It is important to remember that a spermicide used alone is not a reliable contraception and a fresh amount must be used in each act of intercourse.
Alternative Contraception
The methods here are alternative contraceptions for a woman who does not want to or cannot use the pill or barrier methods.
The IUD prevents implantation of the fertilized egg by disrupting the lining of the uterus. It has a very low failure rate. Once it has been fitted, after each period you must check that the thread is still there. In rare cases, IUD may migrate to a different part of the body and simple surgery may be necessary to remove it. It does not stop the transfer of STDs.
This is a hormone releasing IUD. As well as acting as an IUD, it releases low doses of the hormone, thickening the cervical mucus to stop sperm reaching the uterus and thinning the uterine lining to prevent egg implantation. It is especially useful as a contraception for perimenopausal women. It is also often used to remedy heavy periods, which typically become lighter and sometimes painless after insertion. However, there is a low risk of ectopic pregnancy.
Male & female sterilisation are surgical methods of contraception and should be used only by people who have completed their family and who do not want children. Sterilisation should be viewed as final, although occasionally, at high cost and with difficulty, it can be reversed.