Contraceptive Methods Overview

Contraceptive Methods

• Barrier Method: These methods act as a physical barrier between sperm and the egg:

  • Condoms: Made of rubber/latex sheath.
    • Covers the penis/vagina/cervix before intercourse.
    • Prevents semen from entering the female reproductive tract.
    • Used for STD and AIDS prevention.
    • Disposable and give privacy to the user.
  • Diaphragms: Rubber, dome-shaped structure.
    • Fits over the cervix.
    • Used in conjunction with spermicide.
    • Inserted by women up to 6 hours before intercourse.
  • Cervical Caps: Resembles a diaphragm, but smaller and more rigid.
    • Fits snugly over the cervix.
    • Needs to be fitted by a healthcare professional
    • Must be used with spermicide.
  • Vaults: Made of rubber.
    • Inserted in the female cervix during coitus to block the entry of sperm.
    • Reusable.

• Intrauterine Devices (IUDs): Ideal for females who want to delay pregnancy and most used in India.

  • Non-medicated: Example is the Lippes Loop.
  • Copper-releasing: CuT, Cu7, Multiload 375.
    • Suppresses sperm motility and fertilizing capacity.
  • Hormone-releasing: Progesterone, LNG 20.
    • Makes the uterus unsuitable for implantation.
    • Creates a hostile environment for sperm in the cervix.

• Oral Contraceptives: Pills/tablets.

  • Progesterone or Progesterone + Estrogen.
  • Dosage: For 21 days, preferably in the first days of the menstrual cycle.
  • Action: Inhibits ovulation and implantation.
  • Injectable: Contraceptive injections or implants under the skin.
    • Action is similar to pills but with a longer duration.

• Surgical Methods: Sterilization methods

  • Vasectomy: Sterilization in males.
    • A small part of the vas deferens is removed.
    • Tied up through a small incision in the scrotum.
  • Tubectomy: Sterilization in females.
    • A small part of the fallopian tube is removed or tied up.
    • Involves a small incision in the abdomen or vagina.
  • Potential Side Effects: Nausea, abdominal pain, breakthrough bleeding, irregular menstruation, breast cancer.

Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTPs)

• Legalized by the Indian Government in 1971.
• Safe during the first trimester (first 12 weeks of pregnancy).
• Risks Increase in the 2nd and 3rd trimester.
• Used to avoid unwanted pregnancies due to contraceptive failure or rape.
• Continuation of pregnancy could be harmful to the mother or fetus.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

• Diseases transmitted through sexual intercourse.
• Common STDs:
  • Gonorrhea (Neisseria Gonorrhea)
  • Syphilis (Treponema Pallidum)
  • Chlamydiasis (Chlamydia Trachomatis)
  • AIDS (HIV)
  • Genital Herpes
  • Genital Warts
  • Trichomoniasis
  • Hepatitis B
• Transmission of HIV and Hepatitis B:
  • Blood transfusion.
  • Sharing needles or surgical instruments with infected individuals.
  • From an infected mother to the fetus.
• Early Symptoms of STDs:
  • Fluid discharge.
  • Pain in genitals.
  • Swelling in genitals.
  • Itching.
• More Serious Consequences:
  • Stillbirths.
  • Ectopic pregnancies.
  • Infertility.
  • Pelvic inflammatory diseases.
  • Abortions.
  • Reproductive Tract cancer.
• Prevention:
  • Avoid sex with unknown partners.
  • Use condoms consistently during sexual activity.
  • Go for regular clinical checkups.

Infertility

• Inability of a male or female to produce children.

• Treatment methods:

  • In vitro fertilization (IVF): "Test tube baby" program.

    • Involves combining the wife's egg and husband's sperm in a laboratory under stimulated conditions.
    • Resulting zygote is implanted in the woman's uterus.
    • Includes: Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer (GIFT) and Zygote Intra Fallopian Transfer (ZIFT).

  • Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): A single sperm from the male partner is injected directly into the egg of the female partner.

  • Artificial Insemination: A technique used to introduce sperm into the female reproductive tract to facilitate fertilization.

  • Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer (GIFT): Ovum and sperm are taken from the donor female, combining them together in a lab before transferring them to the fallopian tubes of another woman.

  • Zygote Intra Fallopian Transfer (ZIFT): Used for females who cannot produce eggs but can provide an environment for fertilization and development.

Reproductive Health

• Total well-being in all aspects of reproduction.
• Reproductive Health Program (RHC):
  • Initiated in India in 1951.
  • Aims to educate people about reproduction related aspects, provide facilities, and support the creation of a reproductively healthy society.

Population Stabilization and Birth Control

• Population Explosion:
  • In 1900, the world's population reached 2 billion.
  • By 2000, it reached 6 billion.
  • At Indian independence, the population was 350 million.
  • By 2000, it reached 1 billion.
  • According to the 2000 census report, the population growth rate in India was 1.7%.
• Reasons for population explosion:
  • Increased health facilities.
  • Better living conditions.
  • Rapid decline in the death rate (Maternal and infant mortality rates).
  • Increase in reproductive individuals.
• Impacts of population explosion:
  • Scarcity of basic requirements (food, shelter, clothing).
• Control Measures:
  • Encourage smaller families through contraceptive methods.
  • Hum Do, Hamare Do (We Two, Our Two) campaign.
  • Raise the statutory marriageable age for females (18 years) and males (21 years).

Features of an Ideal Contraceptive

• Easily Available
• User Friendly
• Effective
• Reversible
• No side effects

Amniocentesis

• A test involving analyzing fetal cells and dissolved substances by taking amniotic fluid from a developing fetus.
• Used for:
  • Testing for the presence of genetic disorders.
  • Determining the survivability of the fetus.
• Statutory ban for sex determination.

Saheli

• Non-steroidal oral contraceptive developed by scientists at CDRI, Lucknow, India.
• Also called "Once a Week Pill."
• Very few side effects and highly contraceptive value.

Contraceptive Methods

• Natural/Traditional Methods:
  • Periodic abstinence: Avoiding coitus during the fertile period (day 10-17 of the menstrual cycle).
  • Coitus interruptus: Withdrawal method, where the man withdraws his penis from the vagina just before ejaculation.
  • Lactational amenorrhea: Prevention of conception through breastfeeding a baby.
• Barrier Methods:
  • Condoms
  • Diaphragms
  • Cervical Caps
  • Vaults
• Intrauterine Devices (IUDs):
  • Non-medicated
  • Copper-releasing
  • Hormone-releasing
• Others:
  • Oral Contraceptives
  • Injectables
  • Surgical Methods

Explore the various contraceptive methods including barrier methods like condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps, and vaults, as well as intrauterine devices. Understand how each method works, their effectiveness, and their use in preventing pregnancies and STDs. This quiz is designed to enhance your knowledge about safe sex practices.