In addition to helping you avoid getting pregnant, certain forms of contraception can shield you from STIs.
Which approach will work the best for me and my lifestyle? is a question you may find yourself pondering. Which technique offers STI protection?
How about ease of use? Potential negative consequences? How much? To what extent will it work?
8 Types of Contraception you can Use to Prevent Pregnancy
Come along as we examine some of the most widely used forms of birth control, complete with illustrations. To begin with…
The Condom
The condom is the only method of birth control that can both prevent pregnancy and offer protection against the majority of STIs. This method of contraception is easy to carry with you, hormone free, and may be used whenever needed. Both male and female versions are offered.
When used during intercourse, male condoms are rolled onto an erect penis to provide a physical barrier that stops the flow of sexual fluids between partners. Just before having sex, the female condom is inserted into the vagina. The female condom is not quite as effective as the male latex condom based on average use, and it could take some getting accustomed to.
Advantages include: hormone-free; able to be taken whenever needed; and the best defense against STIs.
Cons include the following: some people are allergic to latex condoms; it can tear or come off during sex if not used properly.
The Oral Contraceptive Pill
It is the small tablet that is taken once day. The most often reported form of birth control used by Australian women is the oral contraceptive pill. It’s important to select the pill type that is best for you out of the several available. Progestin is the only hormone present in the micro pill; oestrogen and progestin are mixed in the combo tablet. The medication may offer numerous advantages, but it’s imperative to remember to take it on schedule.
Benefits of taking the pill include: Extremely effective when taken as directed; allows for spontaneous sex and doesn’t interfere with it; certain pills even lessen painful and heavy periods and/or may help with acne.
Cons include: It won’t work as well if you forget to take your pill; it’s solely for women; it doesn’t work for women who can’t take oestrogen-containing contraception; and it doesn’t offer STI protection.
Intrauterine Device (IUD)
A medical professional with the necessary training inserts this tiny, T-shaped device—which is made of plastic and copper or substance containing progesterone hormone—into a woman’s uterus. Depending on the kind, this long-acting, reversible method of contraception can be used for three to ten years.
Certain IUDs release hormones gradually to prevent conception. If the IUD is implanted by a medical practitioner within five days (120 hours) of engaging in unprotected sexual activity, it can also serve as an effective emergency contraceptive method.
You’re as protected as a contraceptive method can offer you with 99% and 99.8% effectiveness rates, respectively, for IUDs containing coppers and hormones.
Cons include: Does not protect against STIs; requires a qualified healthcare provider for insertion and removal; irregular bleeding and spotting occurs during the first six months of use.
The Contraceptive Implant
This procedure releases a type of progesterone by inserting a tiny, flexible rod under the skin in a woman’s upper arm. The hormone thickens cervical mucus, which makes it more difficult for sperm to enter the womb, and blocks the ovary from releasing the egg. After three years, the implant needs to be updated, requiring a brief local anesthetic procedure to fit and remove the rod.
Benefits of the implant include: long-lasting, reversible contraception; high effectiveness; no disruption of sexual activity.
Cons include the need for a skilled healthcare professional to place and remove the device, the possibility of initial irregular bleeding, and the lack of STI protection.
The Contraceptive Injection
Progestogen is a synthetic hormone that is present in the injection. The hormone is injected into the upper arm or buttock of the woman, and over the course of the following 12 weeks, it is gradually released into the circulation.
Advantages: The injection doesn’t stop sex and can last up to three months. It’s also quite effective and allows for spontaneous sexual activity.
Cons: The injection doesn’t prevent against STIs; it requires tracking the number of months used; Period disruptions or irregular bleeding may result from it.
Emergency Contraception Pill
The Emergency Contraception Pill can be given to a woman to prevent pregnancy after sex if contraception was not used, a condom broke during sex, or she experienced sexual assault.
Even though it’s commonly referred to as the “Morning After” pill, it can continue to work for up to five days following unprotected intercourse. It works best when taken as soon as possible; in the first three days following sex, it can prevent roughly 85% of predicted pregnancies.
Special amounts of female hormones are present in this pill. The emergency contraceptive pill is suitable for all women, including those who are unable to take other oral contraceptives. Without a prescription, it can be purchased over-the-counter at a drugstore or pharmacist.
The emergency contraception frequently causes nausea and vomiting, and it may also cause an early or delayed menstrual cycle. The use of emergency contraception does not offer STI protection.
Contraceptive Ring
With this method, the woman inserts a flexible plastic ring that releases hormones continuously into her vagina. It stays in place for three weeks, after which she removes it, takes a week off, and inserts another one. The hormones released by the ring are progestogen and oestrogen, which are also the hormones found in the combined oral contraceptive pill, but in smaller doses.
The ability to insert and remove a vaginal ring on your own is one of its advantages. Other benefits include the ability to control your period, few side effects, and a rapid recovery of fertility following ring removal.
Cons include not protecting against STIs, needing to be replaced on schedule, and not being appropriate for women who cannot take oestrogen-containing contraception.
Diaphragm
A tiny, soft silicon dome called a diaphragm is inserted into the vagina to prevent sperm from passing through into the uterus. Similar to a condom, it creates a physical barrier between the woman’s egg and the man’s sperm.
After sex, the diaphragm must remain in place for at least six hours. It must be removed and cleaned six hours after sex, but not more than twenty-four.
Among the benefits are that, with proper care, a diaphragm can last up to two years and be used multiple times.
Cons include the need to record the hours injected and the fact that using a diaphragm can take some getting used to. When used properly, the diaphragm functions fairly well, although not as well as an IUD, an implanted contraceptive device, or the pill.
Sterilisation
The procedure of totally removing the body’s capacity for reproduction by open or minimally invasive surgery is known as sterilization. This form of permanent contraception is appropriate for individuals who are certain they will never want children or who do not wish to have any more children. Both men and women can get sterilized, and the procedure is done in a hospital under general anesthesia.
If you’re considering sterilisation, discuss with your doctor the reasons behind your decision, whether there are any other forms of contraception that would be more appropriate, and any risks, side effects, or complications associated with the process.
Conclusion
In conclusion, people have the freedom to choose a contraceptive method that best suits their requirements and preferences by having access to a variety of options. Every approach has pros and cons of its own, ranging from hormonal choices like birth control tablets and intrauterine devices (IUDs) to barrier techniques like condoms. Non-hormone treatments, such as copper IUDs, offer an alternative for individuals with hormonal sensitivity, while long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), such as implants and IUDs, offer longer protection with minimal user intervention. By being aware of their alternatives, people can choose the contraception that best suits their needs and preferences, fostering reproductive autonomy and well-informed decision-making.