Contraception

Contraception

Contraception consists of preventing the conception or fertilization of an egg and sperm through various methods. Conception occurs through penis-vagina penetration. However, the eroticism of heterosexual people should not be reduced to this single practice, since there is a very wide range of practices that encompass the entirety of our body and that are, in themselves, non-conceptual .

What are the contraceptive methods?

These are objects, medications, procedures or planned actions that prevent or reduce the chances of pregnancy when the penis enters the vagina.

Hormonal contraceptive methods

• Contraceptive pill: These are medications in pill form that, through hormones, prevent ovulation, altering the natural state of the cervix and the endometrium (inner layer of the uterus) to prevent fertilization from occurring. Its mode of administration is oral and you take one pill a day for 3 weeks. The fourth week you take a daily placebo pill or rest. During this week, bleeding may occur.
• Vaginal ring: it is a flexible plastic ring that contains hormones which it releases once it has been inserted into the vagina. It must remain inside it for 21 days, although it can be removed and reinserted as long as it is not out for more than 3 hours. The next 7 days it is removed and bleeding occurs. Each cycle a new one must be purchased.
• Patch: it works the same as the vaginal ring, except that it is a patch that you must stick to the skin and wear for 21 days.
• Implant: This is a small flexible plastic rod about the size of a matchstick, which is inserted under the skin in the upper arm. It releases hormones that prevent pregnancy and lasts 3 years.
• Hormonal IUD: The Intrauterine Device (IUD) is a small T-shaped piece of flexible plastic that must be placed by a gynecologist in the uterus. Once inserted, it releases a series of hormones that prevent pregnancy. Depending on the model, it lasts between 3 and 8 years. There is also a type of IUD that is not hormonal, but has one of the branches of the T covered with copper, which acts by reducing the possibility of the sperm fertilizing the egg.
• Injection: A injection containing a series of hormones is administered every three months. Its disadvantage is that it can take several months to regain fertility once treatment is stopped.

Emergency contraceptive methods

• Morning after pill: also called postcoital pill, it is an emergency contraceptive method that should be taken as soon as possible after exposure to the risk situation (such as penetration of the penis into the vagina without the use of barrier methods, rupture of the condom, etc.) and no later than 72 hours after this situation (although there is a pill that is effective up to 5 days later). If you vomit within 2 hours of taking it, you should take a new tablet. It is a medication composed of hormones that act by preventing or delaying ovulation and, in most cases, prevent pregnancy but never interrupt it. This medication is not abortive nor does it cause any problems or damage to the embryo in the event that there is already a pregnancy. This pill is an emergency medication, that is, it should not be used as a regular contraceptive due to its high hormonal load.

Surgical methods

• Tubal ligation: surgical intervention that consists of sealing the tubes so that the egg and sperm cannot meet.
• Vasectomy: surgical intervention that consists of cutting the vas deferens so that sperm cannot travel from the testicles and epididymis to the urethra.

Natural methods

• • MELA (Breastfeeding Amenorrhea): this contraceptive method is based on taking advantage of the absence of ovulation (and menstruation) during breastfeeding to avoid a new pregnancy. However, to ensure the effectiveness of the method, the following requirements must be met:
  1. The baby must not be older than 6 months
  2. Exclusive breastfeeding should be done (the baby does not even drink water from a bottle)
  3. The interval between feedings must be less than 6 hours, both day and night.
  4. Menstruation has not returned
  • Symptothermal method : it is a scientific method that is based on self-knowledge and knowledge of the menstrual cycle and fertility. A woman or menstruating person is not fertile throughout the entire cycle, but is only fertile during the time of ovulation (approximately 36 hours). The symptothermal method combines the observation of cervical mucus, the recording of basal temperature and palpation of the cervix, to identify the fertile moment and, during this stage, take additional measures

What is the best contraceptive?

In reality, there are no better or worse contraceptives, but rather each person must analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each one and choose the one that best suits them at that vital moment.