Kinds Of Contraceptives

Learn about different kinds of contraceptives. Contraceptives, also known as birth control is a set of methods that target the prevention of pregnancy. It is useful in preventing teenage pregnancy, lengthening the time between pregnancies and others. Be it condoms, diaphragms, hormonal contraception or others, contraceptives have become extremely important in today’s world.
In the developing countries, contraceptive use has reduced the number of maternal deaths by 44%. Increase in population has a number of adverse effects on the society and economy. However, most importantly, adolescent teenagers should be provided with sex education in order to reduce uncontrolled births.

There are different kinds of contraceptives made available now. These include barrier methods, intrauterine devices, hormonal contraception and others.

The first kind of contraception is the barrier method. This is the first step in contraception and is the most effective of all the kinds of contraceptives. This involves physically preventing the sperms from the male to enter the female uterus. These involve cervical caps, condoms, diaphragms, and contraceptive sponges with spermicides. Condoms are usually made from latex and it prevents the semen from the male partner from entering the female partner. This not only reduces the likelihood of pregnancy, but also prevents the transmission of sexually transmitted devices. Diaphragms can be used over the cervix to prevent pregnancy. It is more effective after the first child is delivered, but can cause urinary tract infections.

The nest stage of contraception involves hormonal contraception. This is one of the most common kinds of contraceptives. This prevents fertilization or ovulation in women. Hormonal contraception includes pills, sub-dermal implants, patch, vaginal ring and others. In pregnancy, the egg released by the ovary of the woman is fertilized by the sperm received by the uterus. This is known as fertilization. Hormones in the body control the release of the eggs from the ovary. This process is known as ovulation. Hormonal contraception is the process by which some mad-made hormones are injected into the body, which disrupts the normal cyclical hormones to prevent pregnancy. This is done either by preventing ovulation, or making it difficult for the sperm to find the egg, or even by making the uterus inhospitable for the implantation. Oral contraceptive pills thus provide man-made estrogen and progestin to the body.

Another kind of contraceptive is the intrauterine devices, which provides emergency contraceptive measures. These are T-shaped birth control methods which are inserted in the uterus. This form of contraception can be effective even five days after unprotected sex. These do not inject hormones in the body and are thus safe to use. Fertility is regained quickly after removal of the device.

Sterilization is the kind of contraceptive involving ligation of the fallopian tubes for women. It may also include vasectomy in men. It is the most effective kind of contraceptives. This is a permanent process, and has small chances of reversal. It prevents ovarian cancer in women, but is ineffective against sexually transmitted devices.

Apart from these methods, sex education, withdrawal, and regulating the time of intercourse may help solve the problem of uncontrolled births.