Contraception
Contraception is the prevention of pregnancy using methods on a temporary basis and recovering fertility afterwards. In contrast, sterilization is a permanent way of preventing pregnancy.
There are different contraceptive methods and each woman, after knowing them, must choose the one that suits her best, under medical supervision.
Natural contraceptive methods: They are based on not having sexual relationships during the fertile days of every cycle. According to the technique used we can distinguish four methods: rhythm method, basal body temperature method, cervical mucus method or Billings’s method and syntothermic method.
Artificial contraceptive methods: They can be divided in three groups, depending on the means used:
Barrier methods: They prevent sperm from reaching the uterus. In this group we find male or female condoms, diaphragm, spermicidal creams, etc.
Hormone methods (the pill): They are medicines that contain two different hormones, oestrogen and gestagen, which modify the normal functioning of the ovary preventing ovulation. They imply other modifications in the female reproductive apparatus.
Since they were discovered, the drugs used have been modified, both by reducing the dosage and the means of presentation, and the guidelines have been altered in order to reduce the harmful collateral effects.
The contraceptive pills are tablets in boxes of 21 (sometimes 28) being marked with a day of the week, which will serve you as a reminder indicating they are being taken properly. You have to take one pill every day, indicated by the day of the week, at the same time for three weeks, then stop for 7 days at which time you should have the period, and then start again with the next box. The pill is also available in a 28-day pack, in which case you have to take every tablet, and during the fourth week, which corresponds with the placebo pills, you will have your period.
The contraceptive patch, similar to a squared sticking plaster, it is placed on the skin, (other than the breast). The skin must be clean, dry and without hair. The administration of this medicine is by absorption through the skin. It consists of three patches placed on a weekly basis. After removing the third one, you must rest for a week, and then, start again with the new box. During the week that you have to rest, you will have the period. You must check every day that the patch is perfectly attached.
The vaginal ring is a plastic, transparent and flexible ring that is easily placed at the vagina. The medicine operates through the vaginal mucus.
It is placed once a month, and it is removed after three weeks. You have to rest during the fourth week, when your period will come. It does not cause feelings of discomfort during sexual relationships.
Every method is safe as long as the rules are accomplished. Before starting, a complete medical check-up must be carried out, in which more details must be given (advantages and disadvantages) as far as the chosen method is concerned.
Intrauterine methods: IUD. It is a small object that is placed within the uterus and that prevents gestation since it does not allow the spermatozoid progression and/or produces an aseptic inflammation in the endometrium which will avoid the settlement of the ovular sac.
The base of IUD is made of plastic or polythene; the most common shapes are T and the anchor. In the vertical rod it has a tiny copper wire wrapped around and they can also have a hormone deposit with gestagens.
They are effective as soon as they are placed, that is usually after menstruation. Before, a gynaecological check-up must have been carried out, in order to see that there is not any problem that makes the use of the IUD impossible and to know which type is the most convenient one.
Sterilization: This is a permanent method, an irreversible surgical procedure that can be carried out to either men, (known as a vasectomy) or to women, (tubal ligation).
The vasectomy consists of cutting the tubes which allow spermatozoids to leave from the testicles. The operation is carried out under local anaesthesia on an out-patient basis and lasts between 15 and 30 minutes. The effectiveness is not immediate, and it necessary to carry out further tests over a period of some weeks to ensure that no spermatozoid is left after several ejaculations.
The tubaric sterilization is the electro-coagulation and/or cutting of both Fallopian tubes. Thanks to this, we will prevent ovulation through the tubes so then we avoid all risk of the egg coming into contact with the spermatozoid. It is carried out by laparoscopy; it needs general anaesthesia and some hours of being hospitalized. Sometimes, the Caesarean section is utilized to carry out the tubal ligation.
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