The little 1 x 1 of contraception

The contraceptives at a glance:

Most people who are sexually active deal with the issue of contraception. If you don’t want to be confronted with an unplanned pregnancy , you can choose one of many more or less reliable contraceptive methods. Which one you ultimately choose depends entirely on your personal feelings, the side effects, the handling and the duration of the effect of the method in question. The so-called Pearl Index (PI) indicates how safe a method is. It indicates how many out of 100 women who used the same method of contraception for a year became pregnant. To give you an overview of the possibilities of contraception, we have put together an overview of the most important methods for you:

The pill

The pill is probably the most commonly used contraceptive method. More than half of couples use them. The pill is a hormonal method of birth control. It is considered very safe, because the PI is 0.1 -0.9. However, the prerequisite for this security is the absolutely reliable and daily intake. It is therefore not suitable for unreliable women. Different types of the pill are now available in the market. In addition to the normal birth control pill, doctors also prescribe mini pills. These are now also available estrogen-free. You can find out which one is best for you by speaking to your gynaecologist. The negative side effects of the pill, such as bleeding between periods, are usually manageable. The pill also has positive side effects: The menstrual period can be reduced, which means that women also suffer less from menstrual pain. The cycle becomes more regular. With certain products, the skin also improves. The pill protects against pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS or hepatitis are still possible.

The condom

The condom is a very popular and safe contraceptive. Apart from femidom, it is the only contraceptive that protects against sexually transmitted diseases and should therefore never be missing. Condoms have the advantage that they are only used when necessary and do not involve any hormonal stress. Any latex allergies can arise. As an alternative, latex-free polyurethane condoms can be purchased in pharmacies. Condoms should not be stored for too long or incorrectly. This can lead to tearing and protection against pregnancy or illness is no longer guaranteed. The PI of the condom is 2 to 10, depending on the manufacturer and the experience of the user. However, it is only safe if it is applied to every type of traffic.

contraceptive ring

The contraceptive ring also belongs to the group of hormonal contraceptive methods. It is a soft and pliable plastic ring that is placed directly on the cervix and releases hormones that suppress ovulation. The ring is only changed once a month. It is considered relatively safe, the PI is 0.4 – 0.65. However, many women find the ring annoying. It can cause irritation in the vagina and so far there are no known long-term studies on the side effects. The contraceptive ring only protects against pregnancy and not against diseases.

chemical contraceptives

Chemical contraceptives include various gels and ointments, as well as suppositories or foam sprays. They are used about a quarter of an hour before intercourse and only work for one ejaculation. Chemical agents are most often used in conjunction with a vaginal pessary or contraceptive sponges because their safety is rather low. Depending on the preparation, the PI can vary between 3 and 21. Furthermore, women often complain about side effects such as irritation of the vagina or severe burning. The same applies here: Chemical contraceptives do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

diaphragm

The diaphragm is also often called a pessary. It is a mixture of mechanical and chemical contraception. The diaphragm is a type of cap that is coated with a spermicidal (semen-killing) gel and placed over the cervix. This requires a lot of practice and is not entirely uncomplicated. It is only safe if used with absolute precision.

The spiral

The insertion of an IUD is mainly carried out in women who have already given birth to a child. Hormone IUDs are now also available, which are even safer for contraception. The PI is 0.16 instead of 0.9 -3 for the conventional coil. However, an IUD requires regular visits to the doctor, because its position must be checked constantly.

The temperature method

If women want to take contraception but can still live with it if it happens and they become pregnant, the temperature method is recommended. It requires absolute reliability and can only be used by women with a regular daily routine, i.e. without working in shifts. Shortly before ovulation, the woman’s temperature rises by around 0.5 °C. Therefore, it is only displayed when the woman has to use other forms of contraception. Cycle computers have also been developed for this method. They work with the temperature method or even in combination with measuring hormones using morning urine.

In addition to the common methods listed above, many more are possible, such as the “female condom” – the femidom, or the method of coitus interruptus. Hormone injections, copper chains, the cervical mucus method or hormone implants are also preferred by many women as the means of choice for contraception.
Regardless of which method is most suitable for you, it is ultimately women who have to live with the consequences of failed contraception – apart from the consequences of an unwanted infection with a sexually transmitted disease.