Archive:Contraception

The term, 'contraception' derives from the Latin 'contra' and the word 'conception'. Contraception is birth control which is intended to prevent conception. Any procedure or device which would keep a sperm cell from fertilizing the egg can be considered to be contraception. Barrier contraception methods prevent pregnancy by physically preventing sperm from entering the uterus. 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. 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. 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. Any agent which interfere with male fertility may be classified as a male contraceptive. Another form of contraception is sterilization.