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
Birth control can refer to anything which would prevent childbirth. Methods of birth control can be classified by the stage of reproduction which is achieved before the process is brought to a halt. If a form of birth control seeks to prevent the sperm from fertilizing the egg, then it is contraceptive. If fertilization has already occurred, but the form of birth control seeks to prevent the implantation of the embryo into the uterine lining, then it is a contragestive. Just as a contraception is the avoidance of conception, contragestion is the avoidance of gestation. If implantation has already occurred, but the form of birth control seeks to end gestation by terminating the pregnancy prior to birth, then it is an abortion.
- Contraception: prevents the sperm from fertilizing the egg
- Contragestion: prevents implantation after fertilization has occurred
- Abortion: implantation has occurred, but pregnancy is terminated before it comes to term
Because the word, 'contragestive' is a medical term which is not in common usage, there is controversy about the classification of contragestive birth control. Since both 'contraception' and 'abortion' are non-technical terms which are used in everyday speech, non-surgical birth control is usual divided into either 'contraceptives' or 'abortifacients'. Those who contend that pregnancy does not begin until implantation say that since abortions are terminated pregnancies, contragestives cannot cause abortions and cannot be abortifacients. They argue, therefore that contragestives are only a form of contraception. On the other hand, those who contend that pregnancy begins at conception argue that contragestives do terminate a pregnancy, and therefore are abortifacients.
See Beginning of pregnancy controversy
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
Contraceptive Sponge
The contraceptive sponge combines barrier and spermicidal methods to prevent conception. The sponges are inserted vaginally prior to intercourse and must be placed over the cervix to be effective. Sponges are a physical barrier, trapping sperm and preventing their passage through the cervix into the female reproductive system. The spermicide is an important component of pregnancy prevention; each brand offers a different formula.
Non-Surgical Sterilization
Essure
Essure Essure is a permanent sterilization procedure for women. Micro-inserts are placed into the fallopian tubes by a catheter passed from the vagina through the cervix and uterus. Once in place, the device is designed to elicit tissue growth (scarring) in and around the micro-insert to form over a period of 3 months an occlusion or blockage in the fallopian tubes; the tissue barrier formed prevents sperm from reaching an egg.
Quinacrine
The drug quinacrine has been researched for non-surgical sterilization of women. Pellets of quinacrine are inserted through the cervix into a woman's uterine cavity using a preloaded inserter device. 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.