Planning is a universal way to organize any sphere of human activity. And in order to determine the birth of a child in the family, it is necessary to take care of such an area of intimate relationships as protection. Modern contraception offers several ways to avoid an unwanted pregnancy.
Protection or abortion?
Man lives in order to give the world an extension of himself, to extend life on Earth. There is much discussion that conception is a unique gift of nature, which in any case should end with the birth of a child. But for many women, however, as well as for men, such a turn in life as pregnancy and the appearance of a baby quite soon is completely unnecessary. And then the woman goes for an abortion - forced removal of the zygote, embryo or fetus from the uterine cavity, this can be done up to 12 weeks of pregnancy or until the fetus weighs 400 grams. But abortion is the most severe intervention in a woman’s body, which, from the moment of conception, is preparing for the upcoming months of pregnancy, childbirth and lactation. Aborting a pregnancy means inflicting enormous damage on the health status of a failed mother. That is why all specialists offer couples who do not seek to become parents in the near future modern contraceptive methods for women and men.
Family planning
The birth of a child is happiness in the family where his birth is expected. But even loving parents in modern conditions should think about family planning so that the newborn does not become an obstacle in the life of young mothers and fathers, so that his health is maximally ensured by the health of the parents, the ability to comply with all conditions for a comfortable pregnancy. Responsibly to the moment of conception of the unborn child - the responsibility of future parents. Entering into an intimate relationship, a man and a woman should understand what unprotected sex can lead to, and this is not only sexually transmitted diseases and HIV, but also the birth of a new life. Therefore, the life of a young family should start with a visit to specialists who will help determine the planning path for the emergence of a new family member when the future parents are ready for this.
Pregnancy planning takes place in several stages:
- visit to the therapist or family doctor;
- tests (traditional): general and clinical blood tests, urinalysis;
- visit to the endocrinologist, ultrasound of the thyroid gland;
- consultation of a gynecologist, urologist or andrologist;
- Ultrasound of the pelvic organs;
- sexually transmitted infection testing;
- spermogram;
- determination of immunoglobulins to rubella virus, toxoplasmosis.
Moreover, during the passage of the necessary procedures, examinations to establish the health status of future parents, you should think about means of protection against unwanted pregnancy at the moment. This is family planning. Modern methods of contraception help to solve this problem without serious consequences.
Types of contraception
Until recently, the intimate sphere of human life was as closed as possible, the topic of conception, abortion, sexually transmitted diseases was considered something that is not customary to speak out loud. But now these areas of human life, as well as modern contraception, are discussed and available for study from school years. It is family planning and protection from unwanted pregnancy that allow couples to form a common life, to provide the future baby with parental love, attention and care. Modern methods of contraception help in solving these problems. Their classification is extremely simple:
- barrier contraception;
- hormonal drugs;
- chemical agents.
What method of protection to choose in each case - the specialist will recommend, especially since each group of contraceptives is quite extensive.
Hello from the past
Since the beginning of centuries, mankind has tried to somehow solve the issue of unplanned pregnancy. At first, the only and most affordable way was, as he is now called, the calendar method, in which a woman could "figure out" on which days she had a minimal chance of becoming pregnant. But this method of protection does not always work. After all, many nuances must be taken into account so that a full intimate relationship does not end in conception.
The temperature method, which provides for ovulation control, is similar to the calendar method of protection. The technique of its implementation consists in daily measurement of rectal temperature in the morning after waking up - if it rises to 37.2 and above degrees, then a period favorable for conception has come.
Some couples use interrupted sexual intercourse to prevent sperm from entering the vagina, and therefore the fertilization of the female egg.
Such methods of preventing the occurrence of an unwanted pregnancy are unreliable and are rarely practiced. Modern contraceptive principles provide a higher level of protection.
Barrier on the way
Historically, the main responsibility for a possible conception lies with a woman. But already in Ancient Egypt, men used something similar to condoms - the main barrier tool that can protect both from conception and from sexually transmitted pathogens. Modern contraception considers condoms to be a very effective method of protection against unnecessary pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Condoms intended for men can now be purchased not only in pharmacies, but also in ordinary supermarkets, and their range is so wide that it can satisfy any fantasies of partners regarding this element of the relationship.
Modern contraception for women offers the use of femidone - the so-called female condom. The use of this element of barrier contraception is not widespread due to the discomfort experienced by most women who use this type of condom. Male products are the most common means of protection during sexual intercourse; condoms are made mainly of latex, which makes it possible to use them even because they are allergic to rubber or synthetics. As a minus, many users of such funds note a decrease in sensitivity, which makes them the most affordable, but often largely forced contraceptive.
Daily pills
The following methods of contraception belong to all modern specialists. These are sex hormone-based birth control pills called combination oral contraceptives. They are divided into three groups in which the active components vary in their quantitative ratio:
- o monophasic, in which the entire cycle of taking the drug into the woman’s body every day receives the same amount of gestagens and estrogens;
- d two-phase, working daily on the same amount of estrogen, but at the same time, the rate of progestogens varies depending on the cycle formed by the drug;
- t rephase - the name speaks for itself, in them the combination of special substances changes three times, modulating the woman’s natural menstrual cycle to an almost perfect state.
All of these drugs are offered to women in a wide range. But it is better not to follow the advice of friends, but to get the recommendation of a gynecologist after collecting an anamnesis and the necessary examinations.
COCs - combined oral contraceptives, always consist of 21 tablets, packed in numbered cells. They should be taken in the prescribed order, at the same time. Then the woman begins a menstrual period, which lasts a week. After this time, pills should be resumed. The work of this group of drugs is based on the inhibition of ovulation processes. These drugs inhibit egg maturation, inhibit the production of luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones in the pituitary gland, and also prevent the sperm from moving to the egg by changing the properties of the natural secretion of a woman’s genital tract - the lubricant becomes thicker and more viscous.
Modern contraception is based on this group of drugs, as they are constantly being improved, allowing not only to protect a woman from an unwanted pregnancy, but also to normalize the natural menstrual cycle. That is why many three-phase COCs are used in the treatment of many gynecological problems.
Another kind of pill
Modern hormonal contraception is not only complex preparations based on combinations of hormones or hormone-like substances, but also the so-called mini-drinks. So-called monopreparations that work only on progestin - a synthetic analogue of progesterone. The name of this group of contraceptives indicates their feature - they contain the minimum amount of active component. This makes the mini-pill quite sparing contraceptive, suitable for women who are breast-feeding a child, suffering from heart disease, as well as smoking older ladies. Modern methods of contraception, which include tablets with a minimum content of progestin, try to minimize the adverse effects of their use on the human body. So mini-drinks contain only from 400 to 500 micrograms of the functional component in each tablet, which you need to take one at the same time of the day all days in a row, regardless of the menstruation that appears. Experts estimate the effectiveness of these funds at the level of 93-95%.
Hormones from the outside
The hormonal background is a complex combination of the interconnected work of all organs and systems of the body. And the reproductive system is directly dependent on hormones. The work of many contraceptives uses the ability of this group of biologically active substances to regulate egg maturation and its progress towards sperm, the process of fertilization and implantation of the future fetus into the uterine cavity. Modern types of contraception that work specifically with hormones are quite diverse, and in addition to tablets taken orally, a portion of birth control bio-matter can be obtained without swallowing drugs. Such types include the so-called transdermal contraceptives:
- patches glued to the skin - 3 weeks of protection with the help of hormones gradually entering the body of a woman, and a week for menstruation;
- subcutaneous capsules, releasing over a period of 5 years a certain dose of hormones that prevent pregnancy;
- a vaginal ring, set monthly, blocking the ovulation process.
Modern methods of contraception operate on the most affordable methods of contraception, not only preserving the woman’s health, but also saving her time as comfortably as possible so as not to worry about the drug taken on time.
Lock inside
It happens that a woman does not want or cannot take even the smallest doses of hormonal drugs, use condoms or any other methods of protection against unwanted pregnancy. Then modern contraceptives offer her such a way of protection as the intrauterine device. It is not a complicated plastic construction, somewhat reminiscent of the letter T, wrapped in several places with a special wire consisting of an alloy of copper and silver. This device for protection against unwanted pregnancy is put to healthy women who already have children. The IUD prevents the fixation of a fertilized egg into the walls of the uterus, and also slows the progress of sperm along the uterine tract. An intrauterine device can only be delivered and removed by a specialist. Many believe that such a contraceptive is the most effective and safe, while others, on the contrary, talk about the IUD as a harmful and uncomfortable way to protect against pregnancy. A huge plus all women note only the duration of the spiral and its non-interference in the cyclical periods.
Chemistry to the rescue
Today's modern methods of contraception are difficult to imagine without drugs based on chemicals that paralyze sperm, the so-called spermicides. The pharmacological form of such drugs is different - ointments, suppositories, tablets, gels. Combines them two points:
- they are used vaginally;
- used immediately before or after sexual intercourse.
Such drugs are intended mainly for women who have a rare sexual life. These modern contraceptives are less reliable in comparison with any other drugs, since the active component works in them all the same locally and for too short. And therefore, if the drug in the vagina did not appear in the way of sperm, then pregnancy under all other favorable conditions is unlikely to be avoided. In addition, many women note that the chemicals that work in spermaceti preparations have an irritating effect on the mucous membrane of the genital area of both the woman and her partner.
What will happen?
Modern contraceptives are constantly being improved, improving quality and removing possible side effects, so as not only to protect against unnecessary pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, but also not to have a negative effect on human health. Specialists strive to make such drugs reliable, both in protection against pregnancy and STDs, and in protection against HIV. In addition to female drugs, experts are also developing tools for men, for example, hormone-based injections that allow you to not worry about the possibility of an unplanned pregnancy for a long time (up to 2 months).
How to choose a protection method?
Modern contraception is a great world of opportunities to avoid an unplanned pregnancy. All the means available to man today have their own advantages and disadvantages. The most trivial way of protection is a condom. One of the latest innovations is a hormone patch. All contraceptives and drugs are dispensed from pharmacies at the request of the buyer. But with regard to hormone-based products, it is necessary to obtain specialist advice on them. Only a doctor will help you choose the exact contraceptive that will help to avoid pregnancy and will not harm your health. It’s almost impossible to choose the right drug on your own, and using the advice of friends using certain hormonal birth control pills is a gross violation of a healthy attitude to your own health. It is noteworthy that the entire civilized world is preoccupied with contraception problems, and therefore, in 2017, by a joint decision of 10 world organizations related to family planning problems, it was decided to establish the International Contraception Floor on September 26, which is also observed in our country.