Archive:Contraception

The term, 'contraception' derives from the Latin 'contra', which means 'against', and the word 'conception', which is the non-technical term for fertilization. 'Contraception' may be used to refer merely to the prevention of fertilization, but it is more commonly used to refer to the means employed to avoid fertilization. When referring to a means of prevention, it is synonymous with contraceptive birth control. Any procedure or device which would keep a sperm cell from fertilizing the egg, therefore, can be considered to be contraception.

Contrasted with Other Birth Control

Contraceptives; contragestives; abortifacients; surgical abortion

Contraceptive Devices

Barrier contraception methods prevent pregnancy by physically preventing sperm from entering the uterus. A condom is a device which is put on a man's erect penis and physically blocks ejaculated semen from entering the body of a sexual partner. Condoms designed to be used by women are called female condoms. The female condom is a pouch with flexible rings at each end. The ring inside the pouch is inserted deep into the vagina, to hold the condom in place. The penis is directed into the pouch through the ring at the open end, which stays outside the vaginal opening during intercourse. The diaphragm is a cervical barrier composed of a soft latex or silicone dome and a spring which is molded into the rim. The spring creates a seal against the walls of the vagina.

Chemical Contraceptives

Spermicide is a substance that kills sperm, inserted vaginally prior to intercourse to prevent pregnancy. Hormonal contraception is birth control that acts on the hormonal system. It may cause ovulation to cease, preventing the possibility of fertilization or it may thicken the woman’s cervical mucus, making penetration of the uterus by sperm more difficult. Hormone based birth control can also alter and thin the endometrium so that a fertilized egg has difficulty implanting. Technically, if the drug works in this fashion, it acts as a contragestive rather than a contraceptive, since it has not prevented conception, acting instead to prevent gestation.

Surgical Contraception

Another form of contraception is sterilization.

Behavioral Contraception

Fertility awareness refers to a set of practices used to determine the fertile and infertile phases of a woman's menstrual cycle. When used as a methods to avoid pregnancy, it to is a form of contraception. When defined broadly, behavioral contraception may include abstinence. Abstinence is the voluntary restraint from indulging sexual intercourse.

Other

Emergency contraception refers to contraceptive measures that, if taken after sex, may prevent pregnancy. As is the case with hormone based birth control, emergency contraception refers to some forms of birth control which are technically contragestives. Any agent which interfere with male fertility may be classified as a male contraceptive.