NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL

CONTRACEPTIVES
Understanding the Self

BSRT 1 - H Yzavel Vicente, Shane Balatero and Jun Santos

ARTIFICIAL CONTRACEPTIVES

Artificial contraceptives, also known as birth

control or contraception, are methods, devices,
or medications designed to prevent pregnancy.
They work by interfering with the natural
processes involved in conception or by
preventing the fertilization of an egg by sperm.

Understanding the Self | Natural and Artificial Contraceptives

 ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES

• Also known as the pill, oral contraceptives contain synthetic estrogen

and progesterone. Estrogen suppresses the Follicle Stimulating
Hormone (FSH) and LH to prevent ovulation. Moreover, progesterone
decreases the permeability of the cervical mucus. to limit the sperm's
access to the ova.

Understanding the Self | Natural and Artificial Contraceptives

 ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES

• It is suggested that the

woman takes the first pill
on the first Sunday after
the beginning of a
menstrual flow, or as soon
as it is prescribed by the
doctor.

Understanding the Self | Natural and Artificial Contraceptives

 TRANSDERMAL PATCH

• The transdermal patch contains both estrogen and progesterone. It is

often referred to as “birth control patches” which are placed on the
skin and release a combination of hormones that prevent ovulation,
thicken cervical mucus to impede sperm movement, and alter the
uterine lining to make it less receptive to a fertilized egg.

Understanding the Self | Natural and Artificial Contraceptives

 TRANSDERMAL PATCH

• The woman should apply one patch every week

for three weeks on the following areas: upper
outer arm, upper torso, abdomen, or buttocks. At
the fourth week, no patch is applied because the
menstrual flow would then occur. The area
where the patch is applied should be clean, dry,
and free of irritation.

Understanding the Self | Natural and Artificial Contraceptives

 VAGINAL RING

• A vaginal ring contraceptive, often known by the brand name

"NuvaRing," is a hormonal birth control device designed for
women to prevent pregnancy. It is a flexible, small ring that is
inserted into the vagina and releases a combination of estrogen and
progesterone and it surrounds the cervix.

Understanding the Self | Natural and Artificial Contraceptives

 VAGINAL RING

• This silicon ring is inserted into the

female reproductive organ and remains
there for three weeks and then removed
on the fourth week, as menstrual flow
would occur. The woman becomes
fertile as soon as the ring is removed.

Understanding the Self | Natural and Artificial Contraceptives

 SUBDERMAL IMPLANT

• Subdermal implants are two rod-like implants inserted under the

skin of the female during her menses or on the seventh day of her
menstruation to make sure that she will not get pregnant. The
implants are made with etonogestrel, desogestrel, and progestin
and can be helpful for three to five years.

Understanding the Self | Natural and Artificial Contraceptives

 SUBDERMAL IMPLANT

• Some of its advantages include its high

effectiveness, long duration, and
convenience. Additionally, it can be
removed at any time if a woman wishes
to stop using it and regain fertility,
though it should be removed by a
healthcare provider.

Understanding the Self | Natural and Artificial Contraceptives

 HORMONAL INJECTIONS

• Hormonal injections, also known as injectable contraceptives, are a

form of birth control that involves the administration of hormones
via an injection. These contraceptives are typically administered by
a healthcare professional and provide a longer-lasting option for
preventing pregnancy compared to methods that require daily or
frequent attention.

Understanding the Self | Natural and Artificial Contraceptives

 HORMONAL INJECTIONS

• This contains medroxyprogesterone, a

progesterone, and is usually given once
every 12 weeks intramuscularly. The
injection causes changes in the
endometrium and cervical mucus and can
help prevent ovulation.

Understanding the Self | Natural and Artificial Contraceptives

 INTRAUTERINE DEVICE

• An intrauterine device (IUD) is a highly effective, long-acting,

reversible form of contraception that is inserted into a woman's
uterus by a healthcare provider. It is a small, T-shaped object
containing progesterone that is inserted into the uterus via the female
reproductive organ. It prevents fertilization by creating a local sterile
inflammatory condition to prevent implantation of the zygote.

Understanding the Self | Natural and Artificial Contraceptives

 INTRAUTERINE DEVICE

• The IUD is fitted only by the physician

and inserted after the woman's menstrual
flow. The device can be effective for five
to seven years. Also, IUDs are reversible,
so they can be removed at any time if a
woman wishes to become pregnant.

Understanding the Self | Natural and Artificial Contraceptives

 CHEMICAL BARRIER

• Chemical barriers such as spermicides, vaginal gels and creams, and

glycerin films are used to cause the death of sperms before they can
enter the cervix and to lower the pH level of the female reproductive
organ so it will not become conducive for the sperm. On the other
hand, these chemical barriers cannot prevent sexually transmitted
infections.

Understanding the Self | Natural and Artificial Contraceptives

 CHEMICAL BARRIER

• Chemical barrier contraceptives are

relatively easy to use and can be
self-administered. It should be
reapplied before each act of
intercourse, or need to be inserted
each time you have sex.

Understanding the Self | Natural and Artificial Contraceptives

 DIAPHRAGM

• It is a circular, rubber disk that fits the cervix and should be placed
before coitus. Diaphragm works by inhibiting the entrance of the
sperm into the female reproductive organ and it works better when
used together with a spermicide. The diaphragm should be fitted
only by the physician, and should remain in place for six hours after
coitus.

Understanding the Self | Natural and Artificial Contraceptives

 DIAPHRAGM

• It is a soft, flexible, dome-shaped

device made of silicone or latex that
is designed to be inserted into the
vagina prior to sexual intercourse.

Understanding the Self | Natural and Artificial Contraceptives

 CERVICAL CAP

• A cervical cap, often simply referred to as a "cap," is a barrier contraceptive

device used by individuals with female reproductive anatomy to prevent
pregnancy. Similar to the diaphragm, the cervical cap is a small, flexible
cup-shaped device that is designed to be inserted into the vagina before
sexual intercourse. Its primary function is to block or physically inhibit
sperm from reaching the cervix, thus preventing fertilization of an egg.

Understanding the Self | Natural and Artificial Contraceptives

 CERVICAL CAP

• The cervical cap is made of soft

rubber and fitted on the rim of the
cervix. It is shaped like a thimble
with a thin rim, and could stay in
place for not more than 48 hours.

Understanding the Self | Natural and Artificial Contraceptives

 MALE CONDOM

• Male condoms are one of the most widely used forms of barrier
contraceptives and are designed to prevent pregnancy and reduce the
risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It is a latex or synthetic
rubber sheath that is placed on the erect male reproductive organ
before penetration into the female reproductive organ to trap the
sperm during ejaculation.

Understanding the Self | Natural and Artificial Contraceptives

 MALE CONDOM

• Male condoms are readily available,

easy to use, and do not require a
prescription or a healthcare provider's
assistance. They are a convenient
choice for those who need a form of
protection on short notice.

Understanding the Self | Natural and Artificial Contraceptives

 FEMALE CONDOM

• Female condoms are made up of latex rubber sheaths that pro are
pre-lubricated with spermicide. They are usually bound by two
rings. The outer ring is first inserted against the opening of the
female reproductive organ and the inner ring covers the cervix. It is
used to prevent fertilization of the egg by the sperm cells.

Understanding the Self | Natural and Artificial Contraceptives

 FEMALE CONDOM

• Female condoms can also provide a level

of protection against a wide range of
STIs, including HIV, gonorrhea,
chlamydia, and syphilis, as they create a
barrier that can help prevent the
transmission of infectious agents during
sexual activity.

Understanding the Self | Natural and Artificial Contraceptives

 SURGICAL METHOD

• During vasectomy, a small incision is made on each side of the

scrotum. The vas deferens is then tied, cauterized, cut, or plugged
to block the passage of the sperm. The patient is advised to use a
backup contraceptive method until two negative sperm count
results are recorded because the sperm could remain viable in the
vas deferens for six months.

Understanding the Self | Natural and Artificial Contraceptives

 SURGICAL METHOD

• In women, tubal ligation is performed after menstruation and

before ovulation. The procedure is done through a small incision
under the woman's umbilicus that targets the fallopian tube for
cutting, cauterizing, or blocking to inhibit the passage of both the
sperm and the ova.

Understanding the Self | Natural and Artificial Contraceptives

 SURGICAL METHOD

Understanding the Self | Natural and Artificial Contraceptives