Contraception
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Contraception
Contraception, also known as birth control, refers to the methods and devices used to prevent pregnancy. The primary purpose of contraception is to inhibit or reduce the chances of fertilization of an egg by sperm during sexual intercourse. There are various methods of contraception available, each with its own level of effectiveness, ease of use, and potential side effects.
There are various types of contraception available, each with its own effectiveness, convenience, and potential side effects. Some common methods of contraception include:
- Barrier Methods:
- Condoms: Male and female condoms are physical barriers that prevent sperm from reaching the egg. Diaphragms and cervical
- Caps: These devices are placed inside the vagina to block sperm from entering the cervix.
- Hormonal Methods:
- Birth control pills: Oral contraceptives contain hormones (usually a combination of estrogen and progestin) to suppress ovulation and thicken cervical mucus.
- Birth control patches, injections, and implants: These methods release hormones into the body to prevent pregnancy.
- Intrauterine devices (IUDs): IUDs can be hormonal or non-hormonal and are inserted into the uterus to prevent fertilization and implantation.
- Emergency Contraception:
- Emergency contraception pills, often referred to as the “morning-after pill,” can be taken after unprotected intercourse to reduce the risk of pregnancy.
- Permanent Methods:
- Tubal ligation (for women) and vasectomy (for men) are surgical procedures that permanently block or remove the reproductive organs’ pathways, making pregnancy impossible.
- Natural Methods:
- Natural family planning methods involve monitoring a woman’s menstrual cycle and avoiding sexual intercourse during fertile periods.
- Behavioral Methods:
- Withdrawal method (pulling out): Involves the man withdrawing his penis from the vagina before ejaculation.
- Sterilization: Female sterilization (tubal ligation) and male sterilization (vasectomy) are permanent methods of contraception.