The 14 Main Types of Contraceptives

The main types of contraceptives and their benefits. In addition, when it comes to pregnancy control, the types of contraceptives are numerous. Contraceptives have been the darlings of women for over 50 years. With its evolution, more and more women are adopting the method to avoid an unwanted pregnancy and guarantee other benefits that the contraceptive provides.

To get an idea of ​​the importance of contraceptive , the World Health Organization recognized that its use reduces the chances of developing ovarian and endometrial cancer, anemia, pelvic inflammatory diseases, endometriosis and ovarian cyst. If you are in doubt about which contraceptive to use, look for a gynecologist and not your friend, as the method she uses may not be good for you and may even cause undesirable side effects.

The contraceptive method should not only be used to prevent an unwanted pregnancy, but also help in the treatment and prevention of other diseases. “Today, women tend to menstruate ten times more than before because they are choosing to delay motherhood. But, after so many successive cycles, most of them are prone to developing diseases like endometriosis and uterine fibroids (fibroids), which are among the main causes of female infertility,” she explains. It is at this time that the use of the pill, for example, may be recommended. “The contraceptive reduces the risks of these problems by blocking ovulation, keeping progesterone levels lower”, completes the gynecologist. So, she now checks the 14 Main Types of Contraceptives:

Vaginal Ring: The vaginal ring is a small flexible ring with a smooth surface, non-porous and non-absorbent, which contains etonogestrel and ethinylestradiol. The ring should be placed in the vagina , in the shape of an 8, in the upper part, a very elastic region and not sensitive to the touch, on the 5th day of menstruation, remaining in that position for three weeks (21 days).

After removing the ring, a break of 7 days must be taken and a new ring must be used. Hormones release estrogen and progestogen, which enter the bloodstream and act to inhibit ovulation. Some adverse effects may appear, such as breakthrough bleeding, headache, vaginitis , leucorrhoea, weight gain, and ring expulsion.

The woman’s fertility returns as soon as use is stopped. When used correctly, prevention is 99%. Its effectiveness is 0.4 to 1.2% per 100 women per year. It is as effective as more modern combination pills with lower doses of hormones. The ring does not interfere with intercourse, and most users and their partners do not experience any discomfort during intercourse.

It is not indicated for women with liver disease, breast cancer, risk of thrombosis, suspected pregnancy, smokers, hypertension, headache with neurological disorders, diabetes or allergy to one of the components. During breastfeeding, it cannot be used, being replaced by another method. This contraceptive method is convenient as it only needs to be applied once a month. The woman herself must introduce it into the vagina , pushing it with her finger until she can no longer feel it. In the first seven days of use, condoms should be used.

Coitus Interruptus: Coitus interruptus is when, in sexual intercourse, a man senses ejaculation, withdraws his penis and ejaculates outside the vagina . It is one of the oldest contraceptive methods in existence. It has low effectiveness, as the secretions of the penis in the arousal phase may contain live sperm. Also, it can be difficult to contain ejaculation. Even when there is control, it is possible that some sperm are in the urethra due to the release of pre-ejaculation fluid (also known as lubrication) and with that, the possibility of fertilization also exists.

Compared to the birth control pill , which has a 0.1% failure rate, withdrawal has a 4% failure rate for couples who effectively use this method. The main cause of failure is the lack of male control. In this method of withdrawal, many men tend to think of things that “delay” the event, such as a speeding train, counting, etc., in order to try to control ejaculation.

For those who wish to perform this method, it is recommended to urinate between ejaculations so that the pre-ejaculatory fluid does not contain sperm. In addition to insecurity and lack of self-control, the insecurity of the method can generate psychological exhaustion for both men and women. Sexual intercourse tends to become unsatisfactory.

Women who have a regular menstrual cycle and use the table with withdrawal have a little more security. The only advantage of this contraceptive is that anyone can use it when they do not have other preventive methods, which explains why this is an old method of preventing pregnancy. Currently, with the expansion of techniques and accessibility to them, withdrawal is not an indicated procedure for contraception. Despite being widely used, this contraceptive method does not prevent against communicable diseases, such as HPV.

Condoms for Men and Women:  Condoms have been the main choice for contraception. They not only prevent pregnancy, but prevent disease and infection. If there is any possibility that your sexual partner has an STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease), condoms are mandatory. Although there are male and female condoms, the most popular are male condoms.

• Pros: Condoms are cheap and are the best protections against STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) like HIV.
• Con: Male condoms protect 82% of pregnancies, while female condoms protect 79%.

Diaphragm (contraceptive) and Sponge:  The contraceptive comes in the form of a small flexible ring covered with a rubber or silicone film that is placed inside the vagina to block sperm from entering the uterus. You need to see a gynecologist to determine the proper size, and you need to check every year or two to see if there are any holes. It is also necessary to check in case of weight change, because the size must always be perfect.

• Pros: Insert the contraceptive at least 24 hours before intercourse. It is very favorable for those who have a medical history of breast cancer, as this method does not mess with your hormones.
• Con: To be most effective, the diaphragm needs to be used with spermicide and kept inside the vagina for 6 hours after intercourse. This can increase the chance of a urinary tract infection, as urinating after sexual intercourse is indicated to prevent it. If one of the partners is HIV positive, contraception is not the best option because spermicide increases your partner’s chance of contracting HIV. Contraceptive has shown an efficiency of 88% of pregnancy cases.

Birth Control Pills:  There are several types of pills women can choose from, from single progesterone or a combination of estrogen and progesterone.

• Pros: If you take the pill properly, the failure rate can be less than 1% of pregnancy. The pills, in addition to protecting against pelvic inflammatory disease, infections, endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer, can reduce pain and other symptoms that appear during your period. Pills composed solely of progesterone may be ideal for mothers who have recently given birth. This is because they do not affect milk production. And they can also be indicated for women who have high blood pressure.
• Con: Pills have an 8% failure rate. This happens because people forget to take it regularly. If the person takes a single-composition pill, it is necessary to take it at the same time every day. Combination pills carry a risk of blood clots forming in the legs and increase the risk of stroke. Both types can cause spotting, breast tenderness, nausea, and low libido.

Patch:  Patch and ring are hormonal methods of contraception that contain estrogen and progesterone, like pills, but don’t have to be taken every day. The patch is a piece of plastic that can be stuck to the belly, buttock, arm, or torso and has to be replaced once a week. The ring is a small flexible device that is placed inside the vagina and can be left on for three weeks.

• Pros: Both options have the benefits of combination pills. Additionally, they can be used continuously to allow you to skip periods. Like the pill, they are 92% effective in preventing pregnancy, and can be even more effective if used correctly.
• Cons: Adhesive may cause allergic skin reactions. And, like the pill, both the patch and the ring can cause side effects such as spotting, headaches, bloating and breast tenderness. You shouldn’t use them if you have a blood problem. The ring can cause vaginal irritation .

Hormone Injections :  Progesterone injection in the arm can prevent pregnancy for a period of three months. Progesterone blocks ovulation making it more difficult for sperm to travel because of the increase in cervical mucus.

• Pros: When the injection is done under the care of a healthcare professional, there is less than a 1% chance of pregnancy. Unlike the pill, the person does not have to worry about taking it every day. The injection can reduce your risk of uterine cancer and protect you from pelvic inflammatory disease.
• Cons: You have to go to a doctor to get the injection, and they can cause more irregular bleeding than the pill, patch, or ring, especially during the first six months. Also, prolonged use can decrease bone density, but the problem is reversible once the person stops using the injection. If a person plans to become pregnant in the future, they will have to plan ahead because it can take anywhere from 3 to 18 months to start ovulating after having stopped taking the injection.

IUD (Intra-Uterine Device):  The IUD or intrauterine device is a T-shaped device that is inserted into the uterus by your doctor. You will have to choose between one that contains copper or the hormone progesterone.

• Pros: The IUD is a very effective option. The method is invisible from the outside, and no spermicide is required. Copper IUDs can be left in for 12 years, and hormonal IUDs can be left in for up to five years. The copper IUD can even be used in an emergency if it is inserted within five days of sexual intercourse. Another benefit of the IUD is that, although long-term, it is reversible, and you can get pregnant after having it removed.
• Con: Copper IUD can cause an increase in menstrual cramps. If you have a sexually transmitted infection, the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease may increase from the moment of insertion.

Fertility Awareness:  All a person needs to do is use a barrier method (like a condom ) during the days you are fertile. Pregnancy prevention through fertility awareness can be done by tracking your menstrual cycle on a calendar, monitoring your cervical mucus, and measuring your body temperature.

• Pros: One doesn’t have to worry about prescriptions and any kind of devices just taking natural hormones for control.
• Cons: It takes discipline to monitor your menstrual cycle. Even with close attention, there is a possibility of error, because women can ovulate on a different day in each menstrual cycle. Even more, the sperm can stay alive for up to six days after intercourse. You need to use a barrier method for six days before you ovulate. The failure rate is approximately 25 percent.

Abstinence:  Have you considered giving up sexual activity altogether? Practicing abstinence is a birth control option that cannot fail. Some people practice periodic abstinence.

• Pros: Abstinence from sex is the only surefire way to avoid pregnancy.
• Con: Abstaining from sex is not for everyone as humans are thirsty for sex. Abstinence can be a great plan, but a person should always have a condom in case they can’t stand it.

Vasectomy for Men:  Now is the time to throw the responsibilities onto men. When men have just finished having children, women can send their husbands to the doctor. A vasectomy is a simple procedure: Through a small incision, the doctor closes the tubes that carry a man’s sperm, preventing them from leaving his body.

• Pros: A vasectomy is almost 100% effective in preventing possible pregnancy. Tubes grow back in only 1 in 1,000 men. This permanent form of birth control also carries some risks. But it only requires a few days of recovery, and it has no effect on a man’s sexual function.
• Con: The person will need to carry a condom for the first three months after surgery to ensure that the sperm are fully ejaculated. Men need to make sure they don’t want more children before this procedure is performed. Although the surgery can be reversed, in addition to being expensive, success may not be guaranteed. In addition, vasectomy can increase the risk of prostate cancer.

Tubal ligation or tubal ligation:  There are permanent birth control options for women as well. Tubal ligation is a surgery for permanent voluntary sterilization, in which the woman’s tubes are tied or cut, preventing contact between the egg and sperm.

• Pros: Female sterilization is a generally safe method of contraception and does not alter hormone levels. Sterilization is also almost 100% effective. It can also lower your risk of getting ovarian cancer later on.
• Cons: This method requires surgery. Surgery can cause some risks, such as anesthesia reactions, bladder or bowel damage, and pelvic pain. This birth control method is permanent, so a person needs to make sure they don’t want more children. Like a vasectomy, the reversal method is expensive and not 100% guaranteed.