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. Vasectomy is a surgical procedure wherein the vasa deferentia of a man are severed, and then tied or sealed in a manner to prevent sperm from entering the seminal stream. Tubal ligation is a surgical procedure in which the fallopian tubes are severed and sealed or "pinched shut", in order to prevent fertilization.

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

Non-Surgical Sterilization

The use of quinacrine for non-surgical sterilization for women has also been researched. This method [8], was developed by Zipper et al. who reported a first year failure rate of 3.1%.[9] Pellets of quinacrine are inserted through the cervix into a woman's uterine cavity using a preloaded inserter device, similar in manner to IUCD insertion. The procedure is undertaken twice, first in the proliferative phase, 6 to 12 days following the first day of the menstrual cycle and again one month later. The sclerosing effects of the drugs at the utero-tubal junctions (where the Fallopian tubes enter the uterus) results in scar tissue forming over a six week interval to close off the tubes permanently.

Emergency Contraception

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.

Male Contraceptive

Any agent which interfere with male fertility may be classified as a male contraceptive.===