We explain what contraceptive methods are and what types exist. Also, advantages and disadvantages of male and female methods.
What are contraceptive methods?
Contraceptive methods are understood as contraception either contraception to the different ways there are to prevent pregnancy . Some of them even serve to prevent venereal diseases or STDs.
These are varied techniques and procedures, some extremely old, although most of the truly effective ones were not available until the mid-20th century. Contraceptive methods are part of family planning a strategy through which couples can choose the most favorable time in their lives to have children, and not do it in a disorderly and improvised way.
Contraceptive methods, despite the fact that they are not well regarded by some religions and traditional positions, the emergence and massification of modern methods have allowed not only to provide women with a greater margin of decision regarding whether or not they wish to become pregnant and from whom, but also has made it possible to combat the reproduction of poverty to the extent that families with fewer resources can enjoy their privacy without necessarily having to expand their family.
Even so, it is true that contraceptives only work ideally if they are accompanied by good sexual and reproductive education, especially in the stages of adolescence, considered the most vulnerable due to the awakening of the libido that occurs during puberty.
Contraceptive methods can be classified according to their nature into:
- Barrier Some element is used to physically block the contact of the genital organs and their secretions.
- Hormonal It consists of drugs or medications to temporarily and artificially inhibit female fertility.
- Behavioral Those that consist of sexual practices that attempt to prevent fertilization.
- Doctors More or less invasive interventions, reversible or not, that reduce the fertility of the man or woman.
Male contraceptive methods
The contraceptive methods available for men are:
- Condom or condom One of the most recommended methods, which consists of a latex barrier that is unrolled around the erect penis and covers it, isolating it from contact with the vagina. This method not only has a high safety rate (around 2% of unwanted pregnancies), but also protects against STDs, which makes it one of the most recommended in the world. Condoms are disposable and in most cases do not present adverse reactions (there are people who are allergic to the material they are made of).
- Coitus interruptus or interrupted intercourse . A popular and extremely old, but extremely unreliable, method of removing the penis from the vagina just before ejaculation. This method not only does not protect at all against STDs, but it has a low efficacy rate (between 18 and 25% of unwanted pregnancies).
- Sterilization It consists of a medical procedure called vasectomy, in which the passage of sperm to the ejaculatory duct is interrupted, generating permanent artificial infertility. This method does not protect against STDs and usually presents a minimal margin of regret, depending on the individual's love and reproductive history.
Female contraceptive methods
Female contraceptive methods are:
- Oral contraceptives The well-known birth control pills consist of a treatment throughout the menstrual cycle, which reduces a woman's fertility (to 1.1% of unwanted pregnancy, if used correctly). They do not protect against STDs and require medical supervision, since it is a hormonal treatment that can have side effects on women, and if not followed correctly it is not so safe (increases to 13% of pregnancies).
- Contraceptive implants, injections and patches These are temporary applications on the woman's body: implants under the skin or patches on it, which work in a similar way to oral contraception: using hormones. Their reliability is extremely high (99% effective in implants, 94% in injection and 91% in patch) but they must be applied and renewed from time to time by a doctor, and they do not protect against STDs.
- Intrauterine Devices (IUD) The famous “Copper T” consists of an intrauterine implant that operates based on hormones, preventing pregnancy in 99% of cases. Although it does not protect against STDs, it is a long-term method (between 3 and 6 years) and can even be used as an emergency method.
- Female condom A variant of the condom, but which is inserted into the vagina and isolates contact with the penis. It is less effective than the male condom (it provides 79% safety) but protects against STDs.
- Cervical diaphragm It is a physical barrier that is inserted into the uterus and prevents the passage of sperm, making fertilization impossible. It is 88% effective and does not protect against STDs.
- Emergency pills These are non-abortive pills that are taken up to 72 hours after sexual intercourse (the shorter the time, the more effective they are), and they reduce the chances of pregnancy. They cannot be used as a regular method of protection and are only for emergency cases.
- Rhythm method It consists of limiting intercourse to days when the menstrual calendar indicates low fertility, before ovulation, for example. Other similar methods consult temperature or cervical mucus. This method does not protect against STDs and is only 76% effective.
