March 2010

Birth Control and Contraception

According to women’s health on WebMd the practice of birth control or preventing pregnancy is as old as human existence. For centuries, humans have relied upon their imagination to avoid pregnancy. Egyptian ancient writings dating back to 1850 BC refer to techniques using a device placed in a woman’s vagina made of crocodile dung and fermented dough, which most likely created a hostile environment for sperm. During the early second century in Rome, a highly acidic concoction of fruits, nuts, and wool was placed on the cervix as a type of spermicidal barrier. Oh, to have lived back then. Our discussion will take a look at birth control and contraceptives and how each affects our lives.
 

• Birth control – preventing birth from taking place

• Contraception – preventing the sperm and egg from uniting

• Who is responsible for birth control? Forever birth control has been the women’s responsibility, but times have changed. Men are using condoms and should share the cost of pills or other birth control supplies. Consider getting a vasectomy.

How does birth control work? Birth control can be in the form of an emergency pill called Plan B or the morning after pill which is available to purchase. It is effective, the result being more like a spontaneous abortion or miscarriage. It must be taken within 24 hours of the last unprotected sexual encounter. Some women choose to do a drug induced abortion. Another choice can be to have a physician place an Intrauterine device or IUD into a woman that can protect for 10 years. The IUD is 90-96% effective, but does increase the risk of a serious condition called Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

How do contraceptives work? Contraceptives keep the sperm and egg from uniting through a numbers of means including barriers in the form of condoms and diaphragms. The barriers are more effective with the use of spermicidal that comes as gels, foams, and suppositories. Hormonal methods include pills, injections, implants and vaginal rings. The pill is typically a combination of estrogen/or progestin that inhibits ovulation. It can help to regulate the period and decrease menstrual cramps. It is 99.5% effective if taken daily. Possible side effects of the pill can be changes in the menstrual cycle, breast tenderness, weight gain or loss. Women should discuss any history of heart or kidney disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, or asthma with a health care provider before using the pill. Injectable contraceptives are given every three months, stop the release of the egg and usually stop the menstrual cycle. Side effects can include break through bleeding or spotting, weight gain, breast tenderness, and loss of libido. Implants are placed under the skin and are more effective than the pill by preventing ovulation, stopping the cycle and decreasing cramping. Side effects can include changes in the cycle, weight gain, hair growth, and ovarian cysts. Vaginal rings and patches also stop the ovaries from releasing the egg and are 99% effective. Side effects can also include high blood pressure, chance of blood clots and strokes.

Other methods of contraceptives- include the calendar or rhythm method where intercourse takes place midway in the cycle. The Basal body temperature method (BBT) uses an increase in body temperature as a guide to have intercourse. For some women another form of contraception is tubal ligation where the fallopian tubes are cut and sealed. Other women may choose a permanent form such as a hysterectomy which is the removal of the uterus. For men the vasectomy which is also permanent includes cutting and sealing of the vas deferens.

Think about this-

1. Douching the vagina is not an effective form of birth control.

2. Condoms are the only form of birth control, besides abstinence, that protects against HIV and AIDS.

3. A woman who has sexual intercourse without any form of contraception has an 85% chance of becoming pregnant in a year.

4. Men are fertile for an average of 18,250 days in their lifetime – over 50 years. Women are only fertile from menarche to menopause – 36 years.

Make an informative choice for birth control or contraception use- select a method that you will use correctly. Check the reliability of the method. Know the side effects and risk factors. Your health care provider is the best source for any information that you may need.

Sources for this discussion include- Women’s Health and Contemporary Ob/Gyn magazines.