Contraceptives

Assignment
Maleik Wright and
Shavaughn Young
Biology
Grade 9
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Definition of contraceptives.....1

Importance of using contraceptives.....2

Natural methods.....3-4

Barrier methods.....5-6

Hormonal methods.....7-8

Surgical methods.....9-10
 WHAT ARE
CONTRACEPTIVES?
• Contraceptives are devices or drugs designed
to prevent pregnancy. Contraceptives may
work in a number of different ways:
• Preventing sperm from getting to the eggs.
Types include condoms, diaphragms, cervical
caps, and contraceptive sponges.
• Keeping the ovaries from releasing eggs that
could be fertilized. Types include birth
control pills, patches, shots, vaginal rings,
and emergency contraceptive pills.
• IUDs, devices which are implanted into the
uterus. They can be kept in place for several
years.
• Sterilization, which permanently prevents
a someone from getting pregnant or
from being able to get someone else
pregnant.

PAGE 1
 Importance of using
contraceptives
By reducing rates of unintended
pregnancies, contraception also reduces
the need for unsafe abortion and
reduces HIV transmissions from
mothers to newborns. This can also
benefit the education of girls and
create opportunities for women to
participate more fully in society,
including paid employment.

PAGE 2
 NATURAL
METHODS
• Natural birth control is a method
of preventing pregnancy without the
use of medications or physical devices.
The natural method is based
on ovulation cycle. This involves
abstaining from sex on the days when
you’re most fertile and most likely to
become pregnant. Examples of natural
methods of birth control include
the calendar rhythm method, basal
body temperature method, and
cervical mucus examination.

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ADVANTAGES AND
DISADVANTAGES OF
NATURAL METHODS

•ADVANTAGES:
•There are no health risks or side effects.
•It can be used to prevent or plan a pregnancy.
•It can be quite effective if used correctly.
•It's acceptable to couples with religious concerns
about birth control.
•The method is free, except possibly for a
thermometer, training fee and charts.

•DISADVANTAGES
•Natural family planning does not protect against
STIs such as chlamydia or HIV. 
•You'll need to avoid sex, or use contraception
such as condoms, during the time you might get
pregnant, which some couples can find difficult.

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 Barrier
Methods
• Barrier methods of birth
control act as barriers to keep
sperm from reaching the egg.
Some barrier methods also
protect against sexually
transmitted infections (STIs).
A few barrier methods
(spermicide, condom, and
sponge) can be bought in most
drugstores. Barrier methods of
birth control prevent pregnancy
by blocking sperm. This stops
the sperm from reaching an
egg. 

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      ADVANTAGES
• Condoms protect against pregnancy. 
• Barrier methods are safe to use while
breastfeeding.
• Barrier methods do not use hormones. 
• These methods do not affect a woman's
menstrual cycle.
• Barrier methods cost less than hormonal
types of birth control.

• DISADVANTAGES
• These methods do not prevent

ADVANTAGES AND
pregnancy as well as IUDs or hormonal
forms of birth control.

DISADVANTAGES • Barrier methods prevent pregnancy only

if you use them every time you have sex.
• You may have to interrupt sex to use
some barrier methods of birth control.
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Hormonal Methods

•Hormonal methods of birth control

(contraception) contain either estrogen
and progestin or progestin only; they are a
safe and reliable way to prevent pregnancy
for most people. Hormonal methods
include an implant, an intrauterine device
(IUD), injections, pills, vaginal rings, and
skin patches. The hormonal contraceptive
prevent pregnancy by usually stopping the
body from ovulating. They also change the
cervical mucus to make it difficult for the
sperm to go through the cervix and find an
egg. They can also prevent pregnancy
by changing the lining of the womb so
it's unlikely the fertilized egg will be
implanted.

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ADVANTAGES
AND
DISADVANTAGES
• ADVANTAGES
• No interruption of foreplay or intercourse.
• Reduced bleeding and cramping with periods, which lowers the risk of anaemia.
• Fewer or no periods.
• Reduced pain during ovulation.
• Reduced risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• DISADVANTAGES
• necessity of taking medications continuously.
• headaches, nausea, sore breasts and vaginal yeast infections

PAGE 8
 Surgical Methods
• Surgical Methods are surgical procedures
meant to permanently prevent pregnancy
and childbirth. Sterilization methods
include tubal sterilization implant and
tubal ligation in women. Tubal
ligation is a surgical procedure used as
birth control for women. During this
procedure, the fallopian tubes are tied,
clamped, cut, banded or sealed
closed. Female sterilisation works
by preventing eggs travelling down the
fallopian tubes, which link the ovaries
to the womb (uterus). This means a
woman's eggs cannot meet sperm, so
fertilisation cannot happen.

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ADVANTAGES AND
DISADVANTAGES
• ADVANTAGES
• It is a very effective and permanent method of contraception.
• It does not affect sex drive.
• It doesn't interfere with spontaneity of sexual intercourse.
• There is no effect on your normal hormonal rhythms or periods.

• DISADVANTAGES
•  It requires a minor surgical procedure.
• There is a small risk of hematoma and/or infection after the
procedure.

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