People use contraceptives for a variety of reasons, but the primary reason is to prevent unintended pregnancy. Contraceptives allow individuals to plan and control their fertility.
It is important to consult with your doctor to determine which types of contraceptives is best for you, taking into consideration your medical history, lifestyle, and preferences.
According to Mayo Clinic, contraceptives are methods or devices used to prevent pregnancy by reducing the chances of sperm fertilizing an egg.
Let’s have a look at the different types of contraceptives:
- Hormonal contraceptives: such as birth control pills, patches, injections, and vaginal rings, which contain synthetic hormones that prevent ovulation (the release of an egg).
- Barrier methods: such as condoms, diaphragms, and cervical caps, which physically prevent sperm from reaching an egg.
- Intrauterine devices (IUDs): which are small, T-shaped devices that are inserted into the uterus to prevent fertilization.
- Sterilization: which is a permanent method of birth control that involves either tubal ligation (for women) or vasectomy (for men).
- Fertility awareness methods: these which involve tracking a woman’s menstrual cycle to identify when she is most fertile and avoiding sexual activity during that time.
- Emergency contraception: which is a method used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or a contraceptive failure. It includes the morning-after pill and the copper IUD.
Contraceptives allow individuals to plan and control their fertility. Family planning highlights the following benefits for using contraceptives:
- Avoiding unintended pregnancy: Contraceptives help prevent unintended pregnancy, which can be stressful and have significant consequences for individuals and families.
- Improving family planning: Contraceptives give individuals and couples the ability to plan when they want to have children, allowing them to focus on other goals or prepare for the responsibilities of parenthood.
- Reducing the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Some contraceptives, such as condoms, provide a barrier that can reduce the risk of STIs.
- Promoting reproductive health: Contraceptives can help individuals manage menstrual cycles, reduce symptoms of menstrual pain, and treat conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome.
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