Contraception or birth control is a preventive measure against unwanted pregnancy. Thus, using these methods deliberately reduces the chances of pregnancy. Contraception is thus an important part of family planning. Most contraceptives work by preventing the fertilization of the egg by the sperm.

What are the types of contraception?
There are many types of contraceptives or birth control methods. They include the oral contraceptive pill, barrier methods like condoms (in case of males and females) and diaphragm (in case of females), vasectomy and withdrawal method.


Which is the best contraceptive method and what is its protection rate?
Out of all the birth control methods, the condom, in case of both male and female, is the safest and known to be most effective. Apart from an unwanted pregnancy, it also protects sexual partners against transmission of sexual diseases (STD) or HIV, especially in the case of unknown partners or partners whose sexual history is not known.

The condom has a success rate of about 86 - 97 percent (around 79 percent in case of the female condom). One advantage of using a condom it is that it is cheap, easily available and can be disposed off whenever needed. You also do not need to consult a doctor or have a prescription to buy it. However, it is possible that it may cause a reduction in pleasure during the sexual act when using it.  Some women experience vaginal irritation with female condoms.

Diaphragm is another good birth control method which is simple to use with few side effects. It is a dome shaped rubber cup inserted in to the vagina. It is generally used by those women, who don’t have a very active sexual life. However, it has to be correctly used to successfully prevent conception.

Oral contraceptive pills can also prevent pregnancy but must only be taken after consultation with the doctor or gynecologist. If you are using these pills, you should be aware of its effects on your health and whether the composition of the pills suits your requirement or not.


When should you consume the pill for it to become effective enough to protect?
This depends on the type of pill you are consuming. It is advisable to read and learn about the pill type. Consult your doctor before having it. There are variations in the pills in terms of composition.  It is also safe to use a barrier method (such as condoms) during the first few days, preferably seven days.

Contraceptive pills could have several side effects which might take a toll on the health of the person taking them, like stomach upsets, getting skin infections and so on. Also, contraceptive pills don’t guarantee protection against STDs and HIV.


What are the side effects of contraceptive pills?
It all depends on the type of the pills you consume.  The most common side effects are weight gain, breast tenderness, mood swings, nausea or headaches. The side effects can be more serious in some cases.  These pills contain a combination of hormones and therefore their consumption can have varied effects on the woman’s body. They can affect the monthly menstrual cycle as well. Contraceptive pills can also have serious effects when planning a child. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you consult a gynecologist to evaluate your medical history and whether your body is ready to accept the hormonal changes that will occur.

What is emergency contraception? How does it work?
The emergency contraceptive pill is to be used after unprotected sexual intercourse. It has to be consumed right after the sexual activity or within 72 hours, i.e. within three days of intercourse. Popularly known as the morning after pill, it is designed to stop the fertilization process. The sooner it is taken, the more effective it is. It is available at any local chemist shop and can be bought over the counter as well as if prescribed by a doctor.

Another option is IUD or the Intrauterine Device which is inserted inside the vagina within five days of intercourse for it to effectively stop conception. This method, however, needs clinical intervention and not many doctors recommend its usage.

Is transmission of STDs possible even with contraceptives?
Only condoms are effective protection against STDs. If it is not used correctly, or tears during the act of intercourse, it fails to protect against conception.  Other contraceptives merely protect against unwanted pregnancy, not against STDs or HIV.


Also read: Guard against teenage pregnancy

TAGS: Contraceptive pills, STDs

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