There are several contraceptive methods that help prevent unwanted pregnancy, such as the contraceptive pill or an implant in the arm, but only the condom prevents pregnancy and protects against sexually transmitted diseases at the same time and, therefore, must be used in all relationships. , especially when you don’t know your partner.
Before choosing and using a contraceptive method, it is important to consult a gynecologist to decide which option is most suitable, and the best method is always the one best suited to the conditions of the woman and man, such as age, cigarette use, illnesses or allergies, for example.
1. Birth control pill
Oral contraceptives, also known as contraceptive pills, are the method most used by women to avoid pregnancy, as they contain hormones that are similar to those produced by the ovaries, meaning that ovulation does not occur and there is no egg ready to be fertilized.
The types of oral contraceptives that exist are the combined pill, which contains estrogen and progestogen, and the minipill, which has only progestogen, which is more common during breastfeeding, in women who smoke or in those over 35 years of age.
The contraceptive pill can be purchased free of charge at a health center, but it depends on the brand of contraceptive as some have to be purchased at a pharmacy. The most common brands of contraceptive pills are Selene, Yasmin, Ciclo 21 and Diane 35. Additionally, there are other brands such as Yaz, Minima, Microvlar or Cerazette, for example.
- Benefits: in addition to helping prevent pregnancy, it can also be used to reduce PMS symptoms, reduce menstrual flow and pain during menstruation, regulate the menstrual cycle, improve acne and excess hair and help prevent the disease pelvic inflammatory disease, cysts or ovarian cancer;
- Disadvantages: although it is a very effective and safe method, the woman needs to be responsible and take a pill every day at the same time, without forgetting, to avoid pregnancy;
- Possible side effects: The most common include nausea, breast pain, minor blood loss outside of menstruation, decreased blood flow and symptoms of depression.
How to take the contraceptive pill correctly
In most cases, you have to take 1 tablet a day, always at the same time, for 21 days until the end of the pack and when you finish, take a 7-day break, which is when your period should start and on the 8th day, start a new card. If this is your contraceptive method, read everything about the contraceptive pill.
2. Contraceptive implant
The contraceptive implant, such as Implanon or Organon, is a method that helps prevent pregnancy through a small plastic tube that is introduced into the inner part of the arm, under the skin, by the gynecologist and that releases hormones into the blood in a slow, preventing ovulation and making it difficult for sperm to enter the woman’s uterus.
This device can remain on a woman’s arm for up to 3 years, but it can only be placed and removed by a gynecologist and, after removing it, fertility returns to normal after 1 month.
- Benefits: in addition to preventing pregnancy, it can be used to reduce abdominal pain caused by menstruation. Furthermore, the implant does not interfere with intimate contact or breastfeeding and is an excellent method for women who frequently forget to take their pills, have mental illnesses or gastrointestinal problems.
- Disadvantages: It is a more expensive method and requires a healthcare professional to be placed under the skin.
- Possible side effects: can cause irregular blood loss, appearance of spots on the skin, nausea, headache and mood swings.
When and how to place the implant
The implant must be placed in the hospital by the gynecologist within the first 7 days of the menstrual cycle, or at any time during the cycle if it is certain that the woman is not pregnant. To place and remove the implant it is necessary to undergo a small surgery with local anesthesia that is applied to the arm, and it is normal for the first 3 days after the intervention to have pain or a small bruise.
Find out more about the implant to prevent unwanted pregnancy.
3. Intrauterine device (IUD)
The intrauterine device, known as IUD, is a T-shaped plastic contraceptive method that is inserted into the uterus by the gynecologist and can remain effective for around 5 years.
This contraceptive technique is very effective and does not cause discomfort, preventing pregnancy due to the action of copper or the release of hormones that make fertilization difficult.
- Benefits: it is a method that does not interfere with sexual activity and is a good method for those who forget to take the pill every day at the same time, as it can remain in the uterus for several years.
- Disadvantages: needs to be placed by a healthcare professional and in some cases it can lead to anemia.
- Possible side effects: it can cause pain for a few days after placement, lead to small blood loss in the following months and can also increase the risk of vaginal infections.
See how the IUD prevents pregnancy.
4. Male and female condoms
Condoms are an excellent contraceptive method to prevent pregnancy, as well as being the only method that protects against the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, such as AIDS or syphilis.
However, to be effective it is necessary to put the condom on correctly before each intimate contact, preventing direct contact between the penis and the vagina, preventing sperm from reaching the uterus.
- Benefits: they are generally cheap, easy to put on, do not cause any type of change to the body and protect against sexually transmitted diseases.
- Disadvantages: some people may be allergic to the condom material, which is usually latex. Furthermore, condoms can cause discomfort in some couples or tear during intimate contact, increasing the chances of getting pregnant.
- Possible side effects: apart from the risk of allergy to the type of condom material, there are no side effects to using condoms.
5. Diafragma vaginal
The diaphragm is a ring-shaped rubber contraceptive method that prevents sperm from entering the uterus, preventing the fertilization of the egg. The diaphragm can be used several times for about 2 years and, therefore, after use it must be washed and stored in a clean place.
- Benefits: does not interfere with intimate contact and can be inserted up to 24 hours before intercourse. Furthermore, it also reduces the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease.
- Disadvantages: it needs to be placed no more than 30 minutes before intimate contact and removed 12 hours after intercourse, and must be repeated every time there is intimate contact, otherwise it is not effective.
- Possible side effects: There are no side effects associated with the use of the vaginal diaphragm.
Understand better what the diaphragm is and how to install it.
6. Vaginal ring
The ring is a rubber device that is inserted into the vagina by the woman that progressively releases hormones and its placement is similar to the insertion of a tampon. The woman must keep the ring on for 3 weeks and then remove it and take a 7-day break for her period to begin, then put on a new ring again.
- Benefits: it is easy to use, does not interfere with intimate contact, is a reversible method and does not alter the vaginal flora.
- Disadvantages: does not protect against STDs, can lead to weight gain and cannot be used in several cases, such as liver problems or high blood pressure.
- Possible side effects: in some women it can cause abdominal pain, nausea, decreased libido, painful menstrual periods and increase the risk of vaginal infections.
See more about the vaginal ring, how to put it on and possible side effects.
7. Injectable contraceptive
The contraceptive injection, such as Depo-Provera, must be applied to the muscle of the arm or leg once a month or every 3 months by a nurse at the health center.
The injection slowly releases hormones that prevent ovulation, but prolonged use can cause delays in fertility, increased appetite, which can lead to weight gain, as well as headaches, acne and hair loss, for example. It is a great method for women with mental illness, tuberculosis or epilepsy who cannot take birth control pills or have many vaginal infections and cannot use a ring or IUD.
8. Tubal Ligation or Vasectomy
Surgery is a definitive contraceptive method, preventing a woman or man from having children for the rest of their lives, therefore, in most cases this method is only used after deciding not to have any more children, being more common in women or men. over 40 years old.
In the case of women, the tubal ligation with general anesthesia, where a cut or a tourniquet is made in the tubes, which are closed, preventing the sperm from meeting the egg. Permanent sterilization of a woman requires hospitalization for around 2 days and recovery normally takes around 2 weeks. See more about the tubal ligation.
A vasectomy is the surgery performed on men, with local anesthesia that takes about 20 minutes, with a cut being made in the channel through which sperm pass from the testicles to the seminal vesicles, but the man, although he is no longer fertile, continues to ejaculate and does not develop impotence . See more details about vasectomy.
9. Natural methods
There are other methods that can also help prevent pregnancy, but they should not be used individually because they are not completely effective and pregnancy may occur. Thus, some methods could be:
- Calendar or table method: This method requires knowing how to calculate the fertile period, by subtracting 11 days from the longest cycle and 18 days from the shortest cycle.
- Temperature Method: the body temperature is higher after ovulation and, to know the time of the month when the woman is most fertile, she must always measure her temperature with a thermometer in the same place;
- Mucus method or Billings: During the most fertile period, women have thicker mucus, similar to egg white, which indicates that the chances of getting pregnant are greater.
- Coitus interruptus method: This method involves removing the penis from the vagina at the moment the man is about to ejaculate. However, it is not safe and is not recommended.
According to these methods, it is necessary to avoid intimate contact during the fertile period, which is when a woman has the greatest chance of getting pregnant and, to understand the woman’s profile, 3 to 6 cycles are generally necessary.
