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What is contraception?
Refers to any method of preventing pregnancy.
What are the two types of oral contraceptives?
Combined contraceptive pill (contains oestrogen and progesterone).
Mini pill (contains only progesterone).
How does the contraceptive pill prevent pregnancy?
Inhibits FSH - eggs don’t mature.
Prevents the development of the uterus lining - eggs cannot implant.
Increases the thickness of cervical mucus - immobilizes sperm cells.
What is the contraceptive patch?
Contains both oestrogen and progesterone.
It’s a patch that is placed onto the skin for 7 days at a time.
What is the contraceptive implant?
A small rod inserted under the skin which continuously releases the hormone progesterone - lasts for 3 years.
What is the contraceptive injection?
An injection containing the hormone progesterone - lasts for approximately 3 months.
What is the IUS?
Intrauterine system - a small plastic device that’s inserted into the uterus.
It releases progesterone which thickens cervical mucus and prevents the build-up of the uterine lining.
What is the IUD?
Intrauterine device - is a small copper-containing device inserted into the uterus, which prevents the implantation of embryos.
What is spermicide?
A chemical that kills or immobilizes sperm cells - however, they are not very effective, and work better when combined with barrier methods.
What is a barrier method of contraception?
Involves a physical separation between the sperm and the egg. They include:
Condoms - thin sheath worn on the penis or inside the vagina - protects against STIs but may tear/break.
Diaphragms - a thin cap placed over the cervix - prevent entry of sperm.
What surgical methods of contraception are available?
Sterilization - in males, the sperm ducts are tied (vasectomy) and in females, the oviducts are tied.
What is abstinence?
The practice of not having sex, which also avoids pregnancy.
Some people abstain from sex around the time of ovulation - this is known as the rhythm method, but it’s quite unreliable.
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