Methods of Birth Control

Methods of Birth Control

• Birth control (contraception) refers to any procedure or device intended to prevent pregnancy
• Behavioral methods include abstinence, the rhythm method, and withdrawal (coitus interruptus)
• Barrier methods like condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps, and sponges prevent sperm from moving beyond the vagina
• Using chemical spermicide makes many barrier methods more effective, killing or damaging sperm cells upon contact
• Hormonal methods include oral contraceptives or birth control pills, available in alternative forms like vaginal rings, dermal patches, and injections
• Hormonal methods contain synthetic estrogens and progesterone, inhibiting the release of FSH and LH
• Intrauterine methods utilize an intrauterine device (IUD), a small T-shaped device of plastic and copper placed in the uterus
• IUDs prevent pregnancy by preventing implantation of a fertilized ovum into the uterine wall.
• Copper released by some IUDs also poisons ovum and sperm in the uterine tubes.
• An intrauterine system (IUS) is a small T-shaped device made of plastic that releases progesterone daily to prevent pregnancy
• Permanent methods are sterilization methods that render an individual sterile
• Sterilization methods include vasectomy for males, which involves surgical ligation or cauterization of the vas deferens
• Sterilization methods also include tubal ligation for females, which involves surgical ligation or cauterization of the uterine tubes

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), also known as venereal diseases, are a group of infections caused by different bacteria, viruses, and parasites spread through sexual contact
• STIs are a common cause of reproductive disorders
• STIs often cause infertility in adults and can also cause deformities or death of fetuses

Bacterial and Parasitic STIs

• Pathogenic bacteria and parasites can invade tissues and cause inflammatory reactions
• Chlamydia is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, which is typically asymptomatic
• If symptoms of chlamydia are present, they include painful urination, pain in the pelvic region and testes, and vaginal or penile discharge
• Newborns infected with chlamydia during birth may develop respiratory tract infections and conjunctivitis, which can lead to blindness
• Untreated Chlamydia in women can spread to the uterus and uterine tubes, causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can lead to infertility
• Gonorrhea ("the clap") is by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae
• If symptoms of gonorrhea occur, they include painful urination and penile discharge
• Women with gonorrhea are typically asymptomatic, but may experience painful urination and vaginal bleeding
• Untreated gonorrhea in women can lead to PID and blindness in newborns
• Syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, initially causing a small, painless lesion called a chancre up to six weeks after exposure
• The disease is transmissible to others who come in contact with the chancre
• Secondary syphilis develops after the chancre heals, causing a pink rash all over the body, fever, and joint pain
• In untreated syphilis, the disease enters a latent stage where symptoms subside, with symptoms potentially recurring for years
• The immune system may eventually kill the bacteria, but the infection may also progress to tertiary syphilis
• Tertiary syphilis produces destructive brain lesions, damages cardiovascular organs, bones, and joints, and can be fatal
• Trichomoniasis is caused by the protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis
• Symptoms of trichomoniasis may include itching, burning, or redness of genitals
• In women with trichomoniasis, it may result in a white to greenish vaginal discharge with a strong odor
• Trichomoniasis may be asymptomatic in many individuals
• Infection with trichomoniasis during pregnancy can lead to premature birth and low birth weight

Viral STIs

• Viral infections are caused by small, non-living viruses that take over cellular organelles responsible for protein synthesis, generating new copies to infect new cells
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes genital warts and is the most common STI in the US, with over 40 different types of HPV
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) can appear on the penis, perineum, or anus in males
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) can appear on the cervix, vaginal wall, perineum, or anus in females
• Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis is a rare condition that leads to warts in a newborn's throat if the mother has genital warts late in pregnancy
• Several strains of HPV increase the risk of developing cervical cancer in women
• Genital herpes is usually caused by herpes simplex virus type 2
• Many individuals infected with genital herpes are asymptomatic, while others of both genders suffer with extremely painful blisters on external genitalia, thighs, and buttocks
• Genital herpes is easily transmissible when blisters are present (as the virus is actively shedding) and with direct skin-to-skin contact
• Spreading genital herpes infection is still a risk even during the dormant stage or the time between blister outbreaks which can last for weeks or years
• Herpes can be passed to newborns, causing neonatal herpes, which can be fatal
• Genital herpes can increase the risk of contracting HIV infections and some types of cancer

Cervical Cancer

• Cervical cancer occurs most often in women between the ages of 30 and 50, especially those with a history of STIs, cervical inflammation, or multiple pregnancies
• Cervical cancer is frequently caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), which is transmitted sexually
• Cervical cancer used to be a leading cause of cancer death for women in the US
• In past decades, cases and deaths from cervical cancer have decreased significantly because the HPV vaccine has become more widespread
• The decline in cervical cancer is largely due to the Pap (Papanicolaou) smear test
• A Pap smear detects precancerous cells and early-stage cancers before symptoms are noticeable
• Pap smears involve scraping loose cells from the external os of the cervix and examining them microscopically
• Cells showing signs of abnormal development (dysplasia) warrant further investigation, including a visual examination of the cervix or a biopsy to determine if cancerous cells are present
• If cancerous cells are detected, surgical removal of the tumor or even a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) may be required
• Radiation therapy or chemotherapy may also be needed if cancerous cells are detected