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Contraception for womenWomen's health & fitness guideThere are many different methods of contraception for women with all of them achieving the same goal, preventing the sperm from fertilising the woman's egg which would result in pregnancy. The main methods of contraception are: * Sterilisation. * Barrier methods. * Natural methods. * Intra uterine contraceptive devices. The barrier methods Female condom This is a very soft, thin pouch which is inserted into the vagina just before sex; they are made of polyurethane and are less likely to tear or rip than the male condom. They have an inner ring that should fit into the upper part of the vagina and an outer one which should remain visible; they are thought to be around 95% effective. The diaphragm and cap These are both made from a soft thin rubber and are inserted into the upper part of the vagina and can be placed a few hours before having sex, they both come in different sizes and you have to have them fitted by your doctor or family planning clinic initially. You should also use a spermicidal cream when using them and they should be left in place for several hours afterwards. They are thought to be around 92 to 96% effective. The sponge This is a small sponge that is coated with a spermicidal cream and it should be moistened then inserted into the vagina to cover the neck of the cervix, it should be left in place for several hours after sex but should be removed before 30 hours as there is a risk of infection should you leave it for longer. It is thought to be around 70 to 90% effective. Spermicides These can be creams, gels or pessaries that work with some of the methods listed above, they are however not a reliable method of contraception when used alone. The IUD or coil This is a small plastic or copper device which has to be fitted by your doctor or family planning clinic; it is fitted into the womb and can be left there for up to 10 years. There can be some disadvantages to having the coil fitted such as prolonged periods and heavy bleeding and there is also a slight chance of getting an infection during the first 20 days after it has been fitted. It is thought to be around 98% effective. Natural family planning This method relies on the woman planning sex around the most fertile and infertile times during the monthly cycle, it can be up to 98% effective if done correctly. Sterilisation This is only recommended if the couple don't wish to have any more children as it is permanent. The operation will usually be performed during day surgery and it involves the cutting or tying of the fallopian tubes. The contraceptive pill This is a small pill which the woman must take everyday, it works by stopping the woman from ovulating each month, which means they don't produce an egg. It is thought to be around 99% effective. |
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