Contraceptive options for the prevention of pregnancy

Nowadays, women have the options of many different contraceptives for the prevention of pregnancy. These methods can either be hormonal or non-hormonal, and you may have to consult with a gynaecologist for a private coil fitting London and to help you make the right choice of contraception. 

If you are unsure of the gynaecologist to visit, you can contact us at Gynaecology Clinic. Meanwhile, below are several contraceptive options for the prevention of pregnancy.

Hormonal methods

This method usually involves the use of pills, skin patch or vaginal rings, and they may contain either progesterone or a combination of progesterone and oestrogen. It includes:

• Vaginal ring

This device releases both oestrogen and progesterone into the body at a slow pace in order to inhibit ovulation and the natural ovarian cycle. It is usually worn for three weeks and removed in the last week so that normal menstrual bleeding can occur. 

• Oral contraceptive pills

This pill has oestrogen in the form of progestin-like desogestrel or levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol. When taken regularly, they maintain low hormone levels in the blood and prevent the natural hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis.

• Contraceptive patch

The contraceptive patch is made to stick firmly to your skin – it has progestin and estradiol slowly absorbed through the skin. It acts the same way as the oral contraceptive pill. 

• The mini-pill

This pill contains only progesterone and works by making the cervical mucus thick, thereby restricting the free passage of sperm into the uterine cavity. This whole process prevents fertilisation.

• Contraceptive implant

This implant produces progestin-like levonorgestrel or etonogestrel that is made up of two rods. They act like contraceptive injections, however they will not have to be changed for the next three years.

• Contraceptive injection

Contraceptive injections can prevent pregnancy for a duration of 10 -13 weeks. Common contraceptive injections like depot medroxyprogesterone acetate and depo provera generally produce a low dose of progesterone over time to restrain normal ovulation and prevent endometrial maturation. They also prevent conception and thicken cervical mucus.

Intrauterine devices that contain hormone

Intrauterine Devices (IUD), such as those that release progesterone, are quite similar to other progesterone-only methods. Unfortunately, this might lead to amenorrhea or irregular bleeding.

Non-hormonal methods

• The male condom

The male condom is a sheath of polyurethane or latex and is worn over the male reproductive organ during erection and sexual activity to contain the ejaculated sperm.

• The female condom

The female condom is a pouch or soft plastic tube that has a ring on one end. It is used to form a line in the vagina and prevent the passage of sperm through the cervix to the fallopian tube.

• The vaginal diaphragm

The vaginal diaphragm is a silicone cap worn over the cervix to block the passage of sperm from the vagina to the uterus.

• Copper intrauterine devices

The intrauterine device containing copper produces ionic copper into the endometrial cavity, thereby making it an unfavourable environment for sperm and fertilised ovum. This can also serve as an emergency contraception type.

• Natural family planning

There are other methods of preventing pregnancy that does not involve hormonal or non-hormonal methods. These methods include the following;

• Withdrawal method

The withdrawal method involves removing the penis from the vagina during sexual intercourse but before ejaculation. This method is not very reliable as the male partner may forget to do so, or there can still be a release of sperm before ejaculation.

• Billing or rhythm method

This method depends on sexual abstinence until regular menstruation indicates the discontinuation of fertility and ovarian cycles. During this time, sexual activity is restricted to only the days outside the fertile period, which is determined by cervical mucus charting or by basal body temperature chart.

Sterilisation

This is a permanent method of birth control, meaning that after undergoing this surgical procedure, there is no chance of the individual getting pregnant or getting someone else pregnant. The procedure is different for both men and women.

• For men (vasectomy): The male sterilisation method is vasectomy, and it involves litigating and transecting the vas deferens of the testes. It is the vas deferens that carries the sperm out of the urethra, ready for ejaculation. After this procedure, men will still ejaculate; however, they will no longer contain live sperm.
• For women ( tubal sterilisation): This method is safe and permanent for women and is most effective when performed in the immediate postpartum period. In this process, the tubes are litigated and transacted. Since this procedure is done few days after birth, the decision has to made by the couple before labour begins. This is a huge step, and the couple or woman must undergo proper counselling before the procedure.

Emergency contraception

Emergency contraception is used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse. Emergency contraception is of different types, and there are some that lactating mothers can also use. The common types of this contraception include the following;

• The copper releasing intrauterine device is very effective when inserted within five days of intercourse and provides constant protection against conception
• The morning-after pill or emergency pill that contains levonorgestrel can be purchased over-the-counter. It is most effective when taken within 72 hours of intercourse. It will be less effective when taken later than 72 hours after intercourse.
• The ulipristal acetate pill can be purchased only with a prescription 

You can prevent unwanted pregnancies with safe and effective contraceptive methods. Be sure to consult with a gynaecologist, especially if you are going for hormonal, non-hormonal or surgical means like private coil fitting London. 

Our experts can help by giving you relevant advice on fertility. Are you in need of a gynaecologist to reach out to or consult? Look no further. Contact us at Gynaecology Clinic London. Our expert gynaecologists will be glad to help with any information you need.