Aim: What are the most effective ways to prevent pregnancy/infection?
Do now: List the different forms of birth control. Which of these methods are also effective in avoiding infection?
There are many ways to try to prevent pregnancy.
Class notes: Methods that DON'T work:
Withdrawal: taking the penis out of the vaginia before ejaculation so that the sperm doesn’t go into her body. Withdrwawal can’t be counted on to prevent pregnancy because the man has a few drops of semen on the end of his penis as soon as it becomes erect. Even if he withdrawals before he ejaculates, sperm can get into the woman’s body and make her pregnant or transmit an STD. Couple’s shouldn’t rely on withdrawal since it requires them to interrupt sex exactly when they don’t want to.
Douching: After sex, the woman immediately washes out her vagina hoping to wash out and kill sperm. Sperm travel very quickly and some will already have moved through the cervix and into the uterus by the time a woman is able to douche.
Hoping: Beliving that “it can’t happen to me” doesn’t work. Sometimes people think that if they have sex once and don’t get pregnant, they can’t get pregnant. Just because a woman doesn’t get pregnant the first time, or the twentieth time, doesn’t mean she won’t get pregnant the next time.
Rhythm: A woman keeps track of her past menstrual cycles and tries to figure out the days when she is least likely to become pregnant. This method gives a woman a sense that she is “safe” when she is not. NO woman can really know what will happen in her next cycle. Illness, stress, fatigue can upset hormone system and cause ovulation to occur at an irregular time. Young women are especially likely to have irregular cycles.
When choosing a from of birth control, there are different things that are important to know. These include:
Effectiveness
How to use
Cost and availability
Side effects
Does it protect against infection?
Below are different methods of birth control:
Abstinence:
How to use: Do not have sex.
Effectiveness: 100%
Cost and availablitiy: Free and available at all times.
Side effects: 100% safe and 100% free of side effects.
100% protection against infection.
Sterilization:
How to use: Males or females could go through a surgical procedure that would make them incapable of bearing children. For males, the procedure is called a vasectomy, where the Vas Deferens are cut so the sperm is not ejaculated from the penis. For females, the procedure is a tubal litigation, where the Fallopian Tubes are cut. Eggs would not reach the uterus and sperm in the woman's body would not reach the egg.
Effectiveness: 99.9% effective.
Cost and availability: Costly, and needs to be done under a doctor's care.
Side effects: As with any surgery, there are many different side effects.
Does not protect against infection. Also, reversal procedures can be done if an individual decides they do want to reproduce, however, such procedures are not always effective.
Does not protect against infection.
Hormonal Methods: Birth Control Pill, Ring, Patch, or Shot
How to use: Hormones are released into the blood stream and prevent a woman from ovulating (egg being released from the ovaries). Without an egg being released, there is nothing for sperm to fertilize. These hormones (estrogen and/or progesterone enter the blood stream through one of the following methods-
Birth Control Pill are pills taken daily through the mouth.
Birth Control Patch is placed on the body and the hormones are absorbed into the bloodstream through the skin- one patch is placed on the skin each week for three weeks. During week four there is no patch on the body and a woman will get her period. Continue the cycle.
Birth Control Ring is inserted into the vagina for three weeks and is removed for the fourth week when a woman menstruates. It is self-cleansing and cannot be felt during intercourse by either partner. It is held in place by the muscles of the vagina and hormones absorb into the mucous membrane of the vagina.
Birth Control Shot is administered by a doctor either monthly or every couple of months and will prevent ovulation.
Effectiveness: All of these methods are 99% effective when used correctly. Use a back-up method of birth control (such as a condom) during the first month of using a hormonal method of birth control. If used incorrectly (ie. missed pill) use a back-up method of birth control.
Cost and availability: You need a perscription to obtain hormonal methods of birth control. There are clinics that will provide birth control pills - for free and confidentially.
Side effects: Depending on the level of hormones, side effects may vary but include: bloating, nausea, cramping, weight gain, dizziness. Women who smoke should not use hormonal methods of birth control because they are at a higher risk of developing blood clots.
Does not protect against infection.
Barrier Methods:
How to use: Forms a barrier so that sperm are not able to get through to fertilize an egg.
Condoms: Male- Covers the penis and traps the sperm ejaculated from the penis. Make sure there is room left at the top to collect sperm and there is NO AIR at the top or no AIR BUBBLES in the condom. Hold the base of the condom before removing the erect penis from the vagina after intercourse. Use a new condom for each sexual intercourse and DO NOT use more than one latex condom at once. Store in a cool and dry place (not in a backpack where there are pens, pencils or sharp objects; not in a car; not in your wallet or pocket). Only use condoms that have not expired. Do not use oil-based lubricants (oils, lotions, vaseline, etc.) with condoms- only use water-based lubricants.
Condoms: Female- Is inserted into the vagina before intercourse. An inner ring holds the female condom into place inside the vagina, the outer ring rests outside of the vaginal opening (this is where the penis is inserted into the female condom). The outer ring of the female condom must be held in place to prevent shifting during intercourse.
Effectiveness: When used correctly, condoms can be 95-97% effective against pregnancy and infection.
Cost and availablility: Condoms can be purchased at drug stores without a perscription. Many clinics provide free condoms and lubricant.
Side effects: Some individuals may experience irritation from latex or spermicides that may be on the condom. Using a lubricant can help reduce the amount of friction during intercourse.
ALSO PROTECTS AGAINST INFECTION!!
Spermicides:
How to use: Spermicidal creams, foams, gels, suppositories or films are placed in the vagina before intercourse. Each type has different instructions on "how to use." Spermicide kills sperm so it cannot reach the egg.
Effectiveness: It is recommended that spermicides are used with condoms for best protection against pregnancy. Used along, spermicides are only 70% effective.
Cost and availablitiy: Spermicides can be purchased at a drug store without a perscription. They vary in price.
Side effects: Individuals may be sensitive to nonoxyl-9, which is the active chemical in spermicide. If irritation occurs because of this, do not continue to use the spermicide. Irritation in the genital region can actually increase someone's risk of getting a Sexually Transmitted Infection.
Does not protect against infection.
Emergency Contraception:
How to use: EC is a series of pills that are taken within 72 hours (3 days) of unprotected sex. They prevent ovulation or prevent an egg from implanting into the wall of the uterus (pregnancy).
Effectiveness: EC is most effective if taken within 24 hours of unprotected sex (98% effective). If taken later, the effectiveness drops, but not much.
Cost and availability: EC can be obtained at a drug store pharmacy without a perscription, but only to individuals 18 or older. The cost is usually $40- $50. However, EC can be obtained for free at a clinic to an individual of any age.
Side effects: Side effects include heavy cramping, nausea, dizziness- but only during the time of taking the pills.
Does not protect against infection.
IUD: Interuterine Device
How to use: The IUD is a small copper or plastic T-shaped device that is placed into the uterus by a doctor. It keeps the sperm from finding an egg.
Effectiveness: IUD's are over 99% effective.
Cost and availability: IUD's must be inserted and taken out by a professional. At regular check-ups, a doctor will check for proper placement in the uterus. IUD's are only used with women who have already given birth to a child.
Does not protect against infection.