Currently, contraceptive methods, for both men and women are quite diverse. Protection from unwanted pregnancy reduces the percentage of abortions, respectively, and gynecological diseases, as well as some ways to protect sexual partners from infection, sexually transmitted diseases. In addition, contraception allows you to plan a pregnancy, screened and undergo the necessary treatment in case of diseases that favorably affects the period of gestation and birth.

Contraception in a literal translation from Latin means protection (protection) against unwanted pregnancy. To evaluate the effectiveness of contraceptive methods, developed a special Pearl Index. It means the number of women who become pregnant out of 100, using whatever method of contraception. There are several types of contraceptive methods.

The natural (physiological) methods

Physiological methods of protection against unwanted pregnancy include: temperature method, calendar method, the cervical method, interrupted sexual intercourse, and the lactational amenorrhea method. Pearl index varies from 0, 8-40. Natural methods of contraception are not reliable enough, demanding discipline and attention to partners (coitus interruptus) and are suitable only for those women who have regular menstrual cycles.

• The temperature method is based on measuring the temperature in the rectum and determination on the eve of days of ovulation and ovulation itself.
• The essence of the calendar method is to calculate the safe and dangerous days (there are several formulas). But we should not forget about the possible shift of ovulation in either direction under the influence of various factors (illness, stress, climate change).
• Coitus interruptus is based on the completion of vaginal intercourse before ejaculation (requires the attention of a partner).
• Lactational amenorrhea method is the lack of ovulation and menstruation is a woman breastfeeds.
• Evaluation of cervical mucus method is based on the change in the mucus (thickening and clear crystallization of it under a microscope) before and during ovulation.

Barrier methods of contraception

The main advantage of barrier methods of contraception (eg condoms) is to protect against infections, sexually transmitted diseases. There are male condoms, which are worn on the penis and female condoms (femidon) is a bag that surrounds the vagina. Pearl index for the male condom is 2-3, and for women, respectively, 5-25.

Also to mechanical methods of contraception include diaphragms, cervical caps. The diaphragm is inserted deep into the vagina, cervix protecting against penetration of sperm (Pearl Index of 6-20), and the cervical cap fits over the cervix (Pearl Index is 9-20) and covers the cervix.

Hormonal methods of contraception

Hormonal methods of protection against unwanted pregnancy include pills, injections and patches. Hormonal birth control pills Birth control pills - how effective are they?   They are divided into two groups: estrogen-progestin formulations and mini-pill. Estrogen-progestin contraceptives contain the hormones and other, respectively, the phase of the menstrual cycle The phases of the menstrual cycle failures unacceptable . They need to take every day (21 days) with a seven-day break (menstrualnopodobnoe bleeding). There are mono-, two- and three-phase combined oral contraceptives Oral contraceptives - something to be feared at their reception? . These pills are quite reliable (Pearl Index is 0, 1-0, 9), subject to regular admission. Mini-pill contains only progestin and drink without interruption (pack of 28 tablets). Their mechanism of action is based on the change in the cervical mucus (increases the viscosity) and a blocking ovulation. Pearl index mini-pill is 0, 5-3.

Injection for the prevention of pregnancy carried out every three months. In the preparations contain only progestin (progestin). Contraceptive patch, which is glued into the shoulder area, and contains estrogen and progestin, and Pearl Index is 0, 4-0, 9.

Chemical methods of contraception

For chemical protection against pregnancy are spermicides. It is produced in the form of aerosols, ointments, tablets and suppositories. Spermicides used immediately before sexual intercourse, which is not very convenient. The essence of the chemical methods of contraception is changing the cervical mucus and vaginal pH (acid to alkaline environment changes, detrimental effect on sperm). Pearl index varies from three to 21.

Anna Sozinova

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