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Contraception

What is contraception?

Contraception is a method used to prevent pregnancy. Only latex and female condoms protect against HIV and Sexually transmitted Infections (STIs).

What forms of contraception are available?

 

- The most common form of contraception offered is the male latex condom. For the male condom to be effective in preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections it must be used correctly, must not be passed its expiry date and must only be used once-See 'Condom Demonstration section'. (Some women might be allergic to latex making it difficult to use male condoms during intercourse. Symptoms might include itching, dryness, a rash, and shortness of breath)

- An alternative to male (latex) condoms are female condoms which are made of another material but are more expensive.

-Sterilization (a surgical operation during which a woman’s fallopian tubes are tied or the male tubes that transport semen to urethra) which is a more hazardous and not always successful form of contraception which stops you from getting pregnant permanently but does not protect you from getting sexually transmitted infections.

- The male alternative for sterilization is a vasectomy. The tubes (vas deference) that lead sperm to the urethra are clipped and cut. It is a simple and safe procedure under local anesthetics. The ejaculate looks, tastes and smells the same as before only doesn't contain sperm-cells. Testosterone (male hormone) production and availability in the blood is not affected, therefore the sexual desire won’t change. A vasectomy doesn’t protect against STI’s and HIV.

- Natural forms of contraception such as withdrawing before ejaculation and the calendar method are very unreliable against pregnancy and not effective at all against sexually transmitted infections.

- Hormonal contraception: Different hormone pills (such as Mala-D) can be taken daily to prevent pregnancy. You need to consult a doctor before taking these in order to assess which ones are right for you and what the side effects are. These are NOT the same thing as the emergency contraception pill (Unwanted 72, i-pill) which is, as its name indicates, for emergencies only (i.e If the condom broke, if you forgot to take your pill etc.) and can be harmful to your body if taken too often. You should always consult a doctor or specialist before taking the emergency contraception pill.

- Intra-uterine device (IUD) or Copper T. This T-shaped object, which prevents pregnancy by preventing the female eggs and sperm from combining, is inserted into the uterus by a physician and can be kept up to 10 years. With the copper-T however, there is a possibility of developing infections or having heavier and irregular periods.

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