Contraceptive Methods

Preventing Pregnancy
 Natural Methods
Use of body awareness to prevent pregnancy
• ABSTINENCE- refraining from sexual activity or
intercourse.
• FERTILITY AWARENESS- abstinence during
ovulation.
• Coitus Interruptus (Withdrawal),
• Douching.
 FERTILITY AWARENESS- abstinence
during ovulation.
• There are three common techniques
used in periodic abstinence methods,
namely:
• Rhythm (calendar) method
• Basal body temperature (BBT) method
• Cervical mucus (ovulation) method.
 Calendar or rhythm method
• The calendar method is a calculation-based approach where previous
menstrual cycles are used to predict the first and the last fertile day
in future menstrual cycles.
• It is based on the regularity of the menstrual cycle and the fact that
an ovum (egg) can only be fertilized within 24 hours of ovulation
• For women using the calendar method
For irregular cycles, identify the longest and the shortest cycles recorded
over six to eight cycles.
Subtract 18 from the shortest cycle (gives the first day of the fertile
phase).Eg.26 – 18 = 8
Subtract 11 from the longest cycle (gives the last day of her fertile time).
Eg.29 – 11 = 18
fertile period is between the 8th–18th days
• If the menstrual cycle is regular and comes every 28 days or close to
it, ovulation should occur about 14 days before the next period.
Consequently, she should avoid sex from about seven days before
that day until about two days after ovulation is expected.
• Avoid sex during the fertile phase calculated.
• This method is about 95% effective if a woman uses it correctly
 Basal body temperature (BBT)
method
• The basal body temperature method is based on
the slight increase in the body temperature of
women at rest by about 0.3–0.5°C during and
after ovulation
• This is due to the action of an increased level of
progesterone secreted by the corpus luteum.
• The rise in body temperature sustained for three
consecutive days indicates that ovulation has
occurred
 Cervical mucus method (CMM)
• The cervical mucus method (or Billings method) is based on the
changes in cervical mucus and sensations in the vagina, due to the
effect of changes in estrogen levels

• After menstruation ends, the dry days (absence of cervical

secretions) will start, and during these days it is safe to have sexual
intercourse

• A sensation of wetness in the vulva (characterized by thin, white,

slippery and stretchy thread-like, transparent strands), is seen
during ovulation.
 Mechanical (Barrier) Methods

Use of a physical barrier to prevent

the union of the sperm and ovum.
CONDOM:
Thin latex sheath placed over penis to
collect semen
PROS:
•Protection against
STI’s
•Over the counter
•Cheap & affordable

CONS:
•Irritation & allergic
reactions
•Doesn’t protect
against all types of
STI’s
FEMALE CONDOM:
Thin latex sheath placed at the opening of
the vagina to collect semen.
PROS:
•Protection against
STI’s
•Over the counter
•Cheap & affordable
•Female can protect
herself, not rely on
male
CONS:
•Irritation & allergic
reactions
•Doesn’t protect
against all types of
STI’s
•Messy, compared to
male condom
•More expensive than
male condom
CERVICAL CAP:
Rubber cap to cover cervix, inserted before
intercourse. Blocks sperm from entering.
PROS:
•Reusable
•Affordable
•Female can protect
herself, not rely on
male
CONS:
•Irritation & allergic
reactions
•Difficult to insert
•Can cause abnormal
Pap Smear
•Doesn’t protect
against STI’s
•Messy
DIAPHRAGM:
Rubber cap inserted into vagina before
intercourse. Blocks sperm from entering.
PROS:
•Reusable
•Affordable
•More effective and
less irritation than
cervical cap
•Female can protect
herself, not rely on
male
CONS:
•Irritation & allergic
reactions
•Can cause UTI
•Doesn’t protect
against STI’s
•Messy
I.U.D:
Plastic or copper device placed in uterus
by doctor to disrupt uterine environment.
PROS:
•Very effective (99%)
•Long term use (can
leave in for years)
•Female can protect
herself, not rely on
male
CONS:
•Can cause infertility,
PID, ectopic pregnancy
•Doesn’t protect
against STI’s
•Must be removed by
doctor
Chemical Methods:

Use of a chemical (hormone) to alter

bodily functions to prevent pregnancy.
Spermicide:
Chemical that kills sperm, available in foams, jellies, film or
suppositories.
A spermicide film or suppository is inserted deep into the vagina.
Film or suppositories must be inserted at least 15 minutes before
having sex to allow the spermicide to spread in the vagina.

PROS:
•Over the counter
•Can be used with other
methods to increase
effectiveness
•Female can protect herself,
not rely on male
CONS:
•Irritation
•Doesn’t protect against
STI’s
•Can be messy
Oral contraceptive:
Estrogen & progesterone pills, PROS:
•Taken daily
prevents ovulation and •Affordable
•Use with other
thickens cervical mucus. methods to increase
effectiveness
•Female can protect
herself, not rely on
male
CONS:
•Side effects
•Must take daily at
the same time
•Antibiotics
decrease
effectiveness
•Doesn’t protect
against STI’s
Oral contraceptive (“mini-pill”):
Pill with no estrogen, prevents ovulation
and thickens cervical mucus.
PROS:
•Taken daily
•Less side effects than regular pill
•Affordable
•Use with other methods to
increase effectiveness
•Female can protect herself, not
rely on male
CONS:
•Less effective than regular pill
•Must take daily at the same time
•Antibiotics decrease effectiveness
•Doesn’t protect against STI’s
 Implanon (contraceptive implant)
Implanon is a flexible plastic rod
Implants and patches about the size of a matchstick that is
placed under the skin of the upper
arm.
It releases a low, steady dose of a
progestational hormone to thicken
cervical mucus and affect the lining of
the uterus (endometrium). Implanon
suppresses ovulation as well.
A contraceptive patch is a
transdermal patch applied to the skin
that releases synthetic estrogen and
progestin hormones to prevent
pregnancy.
They have been shown to be as
effective as the oral contraceptive pill
Patch:
Estrogen and progestin hormone patch- put a
new patch on each week for 3 wks, no patch for
a week (menstruation).

PROS:
•No pill to remember
•Nothing to insert into vagina
•Use with other methods to
increase effectiveness
•Female can protect herself, not
rely on male
CONS:
•Side effects
•Patch may become loose
•Irritation at patch site
•Doesn’t protect against STI’s
Vaginal ring:
Progestin filled ring, inserted in vagina and
left in for 3 weeks. PROS:
•No pill to remember
•Less side effects than
regular pill
•Can remove if there are side
effects
•Use with other methods to
increase effectiveness
•Female can protect herself,
not rely on male
CONS:
•Must insert into vagina
•Doesn’t protect against STI’s
•Side effects are possible
Injection:
Progestin shot, prevents ovulation.
PROS:
•Once every 3 months
•Less side effects than regular
pill
•Affordable
•Use with other methods to
increase effectiveness
•Female can protect herself,
not rely on male
CONS:
•Side effects- irregular
menstruation, headaches,
weight gain
•Doesn’t protect against STI’s
 Emergency Contraception:
High dose hormone pills to prevent ovulation

PROS:
•Can be used up to 72 hours
after sexual intercourse
CONS:
•Can be expensive, need
prescription
•Doesn’t protect against STI’s
•Major side effects-
headaches, vomiting
 Vasectomy:
permanent sterilization for males
 Tubal ligation:
permanent sterilization for females