Archive:Contraception
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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
Contraception; contragestion; abortifacient; abortion
Contraceptive Devices
Barrier contraception methods prevent pregnancy by physically preventing sperm from entering the uterus.
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. Any agent which interfere with male fertility may be classified as a male contraceptive.
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.