The contraceptive methods They are techniques, technologies and medications capable of preventing fertilization and the onset of a pregnancy. They are also known as contraceptives or contraception. For example: condom, contraceptive patch, vasectomy.
Contraceptive methods have accompanied man since early times, but only in the last century have they been produced safely and effectively. The massification and cultural acceptance many of these practices was an important step in family planning and open discussion of sexual rights.
According to their nature, contraceptives can be classified into the following types:
- natural. Sexual practices or considerations that prevent or hinder pregnancy, without requiring elements added to the body.
- of barrier. They physically prevent contact between the sexual organs or the fluids that lead to fertilization.
- hormonal. Pharmacological treatments that affect the female reproductive cycle, producing momentary sterility.
- intrauterine. Housed inside the vagina, they prevent fertilization hormonally for long periods.
- surgical. Medical procedures, reversible or not, that produce infertility in men or women.
Examples of Contraceptive Methods
- Coitus interruptus. Literally: coitus interruptus, it is a natural and long-standing procedure that consists of extracting the penis from the vagina before ejaculation. It is not totally reliable, since the previous lubrication of the penis occurs through substances capable of fertilizing.
- sexual abstinence. The total or partial deprivation of sexual contact of one’s own will, is usually practiced for religious, moral, emotional or contraceptive reasons. It is considered 100% effective as there is no vaginal penetration.
- rhythm method. Also known as the calendar method or the Ogino-Knaus method, it is natural but not completely reliable, since it consists of limiting intercourse to the infertile days before or after ovulation. It has a safety rate of 80%, but it is difficult to use in women with irregular menstrual cycles.
- Basal body temperature method. It consists of fasting measurement of body temperature (mouth, anus and vagina) to discern the fertile days of the woman, avoiding intercourse until its drop announces the end of ovulation. It is credited with a failure rate even lower than that of condoms, but requires strict control of the menstrual cycle.
- Lactational amenorrhea. During the first 6 months after childbirth, there is a period of infertility and absence of menstruation (amenorrhea) that can be used as a natural contraceptive. This procedure is effective as long as breastfeeding is continuous and frequent.
- Preservative. The prophylactic or condom is a barrier contraceptive consisting of a disposable latex sheath that covers the erect penis before penetration and isolates fluids. It is also effective against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and has a margin of failure of only 15%, due to possible breakage of the material.
- Female condom. Similar to the male condom, the female condom is placed inside the vagina and physically separates the contact between the genitals and the fluids. It is just as reliable and effective against STDs as its male version.
- Diaphragm. It is a thin, flexible, disc-shaped device placed in the cervix to prevent sperm from accessing the egg. Many also contain spermicidal substances for added protection. It requires medical instructions for its use, but once placed it has a margin of failure of only 6%.
- cervical caps. Similar to the diaphragm: fine silicone cups located inside the vagina, to prevent the access of sperm to the uterus.
- contraceptive sponge. This synthetic and flexible sponge, impregnated with spermicidal substances, is inserted into the cervix, where it will act as a barrier during intercourse. It will need to stay there for at least 8 hours after ejaculation for it to take its full effect.
- intrauterine device (IUD). Devices specially placed on the cervix by a gynecologist that prevent fertilization, usually through hormone release. The IUD remains inside the body and should only be removed by a specialist.
- subdermal contraceptive. known as pellet, consists of a tiny metal rod that is inserted under the skin of the woman’s arm, where it will release its contraceptive hormone load for 3 to 5 years. After that period, he must be replaced by a specialist; has a 99% margin of safety while it is in effect.
- Contraceptive Patch. It consists of a transdermal patch made of plastic material and discreet color (to blend in with the woman’s skin). There it continuously releases its hormonal load into the bloodstream, which lasts for a week.
- vaginal ring. This flexible plastic ring, barely 5cm. in diameter, it is inserted inside the vagina and there it releases low and constant doses of contraceptive hormones, absorbed by the vaginal mucosa. Just like the pill, it should be used in response to the menstrual cycle and changed when bleeding starts.
- oral contraceptive pill. Known as “the pill”, the appearance of it revolutionized the sexual world in the middle of the 20th century. It is a hormonal contraceptive pill that must be taken throughout the month, with a break for artificial bleeding of a few days. It is a highly safe method, as long as your intake is constant.
- emergency pills. The “morning after pill” is not really a contraceptive, but a drug intended to interrupt fertilization during the first hours after intercourse (usually the first day). Its effectiveness depends on the latter. It has considerable side effects on the menstrual cycle.
- spermicides. Chemical substances placed in vaginal ovules, which kill sperm or decrease their motility, making them less effective. They are ineffective by themselves, but are often used with condoms and diaphragms.
- birth control injection. Inoculated by a specialist doctor, it prevents pregnancy for three months through a long-term hormonal load.
- vasectomy. This is the name given to the surgical ligation of certain testicular ducts, preventing the release of sperm when ejaculating. It is an effective contraceptive method, but irreversible.
- Tubal ligation. It is the cutting or ligation of the fallopian tubes, to produce sterility. This irreversible surgical method is widely used in the world, given its resounding effectiveness.