Metode kontracepcije
What is the natural method of contraception?
- It is a method in which sexual intercourse is avoided, i.e. a mechanical protection during woman’s fertility peak is used
- It is based on examining menstrual cycle and monitoring the appearance of cervical mucus
How to use the natural method?
- For women with regular menstrual cycles, ovulation appears with great reliability 14 days prior to the next menstrual flow (in a 28-day cycle – around 14th day, 32-day cycle – around the 18th day, 25-day cycle – around 11th day, etc)
- During ovulation discharge is clear and stretchy
- Intercourse should be avoided or mechanical protectionshould be used at least 4 days before and 2 days after ovulation
How reliable is the natural method?
- Without using mechanical protection, risk of pregnancy is 6-24%
What is mechanical protection?
- These are methods using a barrier by which sperm is disabled to reach the egg
- These include: male condom, female condom, diaphragm, cervical drops and sponges with spermicide
How to use the mechanical protection?
- Male condom is placed over penis and can be used for only one intercourse
- Female condom is inserted into vagina and can be used only for one intercourse
- Diaphragm is a shallow latex cup inserted into vagina over the cervix immediately before the intercourse
- Cervical cup is also a latex cap, but deeper, shaped as a thimble; it is also inserted into vagina over the cevix immediately before intercourse
- Diaphragm and cervical cup must be left inside vagina at least 6 hours after the intercourse and be removed within 24 hours max
- Male condom, diaphragm and cervical cup are more effective if used with spermicide
- Sponges with spermicide are soft discs inserted into vagina immediately before the intercourse and are effective over the next 24 hours. Moreover, they have to be left inside at least 6 hours after the intercourse and removed within 30 hours max
How reliable is mechanical protection?
- When using the male condom, risk of pregnancy is 3-14%
- Other mechanical means are less efficient, 5-26 %
What is the minipill?
- A pill that contains only progestin, different from a classic pill that contains both estrogen and progestin
- It makes the cervical mucus impassable for sperm
How to use the minipill?
- It has to be taken every day preferably at the same hour
How reliable is minipill?
- Risk of pregnancy is 3-5%
What is the contraceptive patch?
- A patch containing estrogen and progestin, the same as classic contraceptive pills
- It prevents ovulation and changes cervical mucus making it impassable for sperm
How to use the patch?
- It is applied once a week for 3 weeks, pausing the fourth week during which the patch is not apllied and menstrual bleeding begins
How reliable is contraceptive patch?
- Risk of pregnancy is less than 1%
What is the contraceptive injection?
- The injection is administered every 3 months and contains medroxyprogesterone acetate, preventing ovulation and changing cervical mucus
How to use contraceptive injections?
- Injections should be prescribed and given by a physician, after an examination and determined risks
- Contraceptive injections must not be used for more than 2 consecutive years, as they result in reduced bone density, possibly leading to bone fractures
- Ideal for breastfeeding women
How reliable is contraceptive injection?
- Risk of pregnancy is less than 1%
What is the contraceptive ring?
- A ring that contains estrogen and progesterone, the same as classic contraceptive pills
- It prevents ovulation and changes cervical mucus making it impassable for sperm
How to use the ring?
- It is inserted into vagina on the first day of menstrual bleeding, it is not removed for 3 weeks
- On the 21st day it is removed and menstrual bleeding begins
- On the 28th day of the cycle a new ring is placed
How reliable is contraceptive ring?
- Risk of pregnancy is less than 1%
What is the intrauterine device ("coil")?
- A small plastic T-shaped device inserted into uterus
- There are two types: copper and hormonal (Mirena)
- Copper device changes cervical mucus making it impassable for sperm, but if fertilization does happen, it changes the uterine mucosa preventing the egg to be implanted
- Hormonal device prevents ovulation and changes cervical mucus making it impassable for sperm
- It can be left in uterus for 5 years
How to use the device?
- The device is inserted by a gynecologist during menstrual bleeding
How reliable is the device?
- Risk of pregnancy is less than 1%
What is sterilization?
- A surgical procedure of blocking Fallopian tubes in women, or vasa diferentia in men, preventing pregnancy
How reliable is sterilization?
- Risk of pregnancy is less than 1%
