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

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.

Contraception Myths

Modern misconceptions and urban legends have given rise to a great many false claims about birth control. The stakes are high, so it is a good idea to know the facts.

The suggestion that douching with any substance immediately following intercourse works as a contraceptive is untrue. While it may seem like a sensible idea to try to wash the ejaculate out of the vagina, it is not likely to be effective. Due to the nature of the fluids and the structure of the female reproductive tract, douching most likely actually spreads semen further towards the uterus. Some slight spermicidal effect may occur if the douche solution is particularly acidic, but overall it is not scientifically observed to be a reliably effective method.

It is untrue that a female cannot become pregnant the first time she engages in sexual intercourse. A woman's chances for becoming pregnant are always the same, about 1 out of 20 -- even if it is her first time. A female can become pregnant any time after she begins to ovulate. While women are usually less fertile for the first few days of menstruation, it is a myth that a woman absolutely cannot get pregnant if she has sex during her period. Having sex in a hot tub does not prevent pregnancy, but may contribute to vaginal infections.

Although some sex positions may encourage pregnancy, no sexual positions prevent pregnancy. Having sex while standing up or with a woman on top will not keep the sperm from entering the uterus. The force of ejaculation, the contractions of the uterus caused by prostaglandins in the semen, as well as ability of sperm to swim overrides gravity. Urinating after sex does not prevent pregnancy and is not a form of birth control, although it is often advised anyway to help prevent urinary tract infections.

Toothpaste cannot be used as an effective contraceptive. Neither can saran wrap or a balloon, used instead of a condom. Pregnancy can not be prevented by sneezing, coughing, jumping up and down or placing seeds in the vagina Placing objects, such as seeds or plants into the vagina before, during, or after sex can be harmful to the female's body. Preventing an orgasm will not prevent pregnancy. Some women believe that if they don't allow themselves to climax during sex, they will not get pregnant. Pleasure has nothing to do with birth control - whether or not you enjoy sex, with or without an orgasm, you can still get pregnant. It is not true that a woman is only fertile one day a month. While a woman's cycle is more or less regular at most times, this balance of hormones can be disrupted by various factors, including age, stress, and medications. Pinpointing the time of ovulation and predicting any "safe" days can be difficult and risky.

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.