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How to protect yourself during irregular contacts. Effective contraceptives for irregular relationships

Today there are many ways to prevent unwanted pregnancy. A wide selection allows you to choose the most suitable contraceptives for each woman. In irregular relationships, it is also important to take care of protection. How to decide on a contraceptive method and what to look for when choosing? Let's try to understand this issue in more detail.

Why is contraception needed?

Every woman sooner or later thinks about how to avoid an unwanted pregnancy. At the same time, it is absolutely not necessary to exclude love pleasures from life, which, by the way, negatively affects the psycho-emotional state. Modern medicine currently offers a large number of different methods of contraception.

The use of contraceptives helps preserve women's health and reproductive function. The selection of the optimal method should be carried out by a gynecologist, since the patient’s age, medical history and regularity of sexual activity are taken into account.

What contraceptives are there?

To protect against unwanted pregnancy, there are many types of contraception, each of which is suitable in a specific situation. They are usually divided into traditional and modern. The first includes interrupted sexual intercourse, barrier methods (condoms, diaphragm), spermicides, non-hormonal agents and a biological (calendar) method of protection.

Modern types of preventing egg fertilization are the most popular, as they provide an almost 100% guarantee. These include hormonal IUDs (intrauterine devices), injections, and vaginal rings. Each method has its own indications, side effects and contraindications. Therefore, without consulting a specialist, it is unlikely that you will be able to select effective contraceptives.

Hormonal methods of contraception

The most common and reliable are based on female hormones (synthetic analogues) - estrogen and progesterone. Some may be single-component and contain only progesterone, in which case they are called mini-pills. They are the most gentle for the body. Combined contraceptive drugs may contain different doses of the main active ingredient.

The action of hormonal drugs to protect against unwanted pregnancy is to block the maturation of the egg and the onset of ovulation. Mini-pills only affect the uterine mucosa, making it looser, and the secreted secretion becomes viscous. This prevents the sperm from fertilizing the egg. Planning for pregnancy can begin 2-3 months after stopping taking birth control pills, when reproductive function is completely restored.

Benefits of hormonal drugs

The previous generation of hormonal pills had a number of side effects, which forced many women to abandon their use. The newest contraceptives are well tolerated by the body and are practically free of unpleasant consequences of use. They are manufactured into patches, injections, vaginal rings and hormonal implants.

Oral contraceptives containing one type of hormone (mini-pill) are allowed to be taken during lactation. The components of the medicine do not affect the baby’s body. To normalize the menstrual cycle or have a medical abortion, women are recommended to take combination medications. They allow not only to further prevent the fertilization of the egg, but also to protect against inflammatory diseases.

The benefits of hormonal medications also include eliminating skin problems. Sex hormones are known to influence sebum production. If a violation occurs, male hormones begin to be produced in greater quantities than female ones, and, as a result, acne appears on the skin.

Quite often, it is prescribed for women to treat polycystic ovary syndrome and eliminate severe pain during menstruation. It has been scientifically proven that such drugs have a preventive effect and significantly reduce the risk of developing cancer of the mammary glands, uterus, ovaries, and also prevent mastopathy, endometriosis and fibroids.

Contraindications

You should carefully study the list of contraindications for use to prevent pregnancy. The main factors prohibiting the use of oral contraceptives are:

Cardiovascular diseases (coronary disease, hypertension, stroke, heart attack), venous pathologies.
Kidney diseases.
Oncology.
The last stages of obesity.
Autoimmune diseases.
Benign neoplasms.
Venereal diseases.
Vaginal bleeding during the intermenstrual period of unknown etiology.
Pregnancy.
Diabetes.

Each drug has its own list of contraindications, and therefore you should seek help from a specialist who will help you choose the right hormonal contraceptives. In case of irregular relationships, such drugs can also be avoided. Non-hormonal contraceptives are the most suitable method of protection against unwanted pregnancy if sexual intercourse occurs less than once a week.

Mechanism of action of non-hormonal contraceptives

Non-hormonal methods are very relevant during lactation, with irregular sexual relations, or if taking hormonal drugs is prohibited. The action of such drugs is based on the destruction or damage of sperm. Non-hormonal contraceptives have a wide variety of reviews. For some women, this is the best and safest way to plan a family, while for others it is completely untrustworthy.

Non-hormonal preparations contain special substances - spermicides, which contribute to damage to the sperm membrane, which provokes their death. The active component may be nonoxynol, benzalkonium chloride. The substances form a thin film on the mucous surface of the vagina, which performs a protective function and also helps thicken mucous secretions. Non-hormonal ones are injected directly into the vagina, where they begin to act within 10-15 minutes. That is why they are classified as barrier methods of contraception.

Are non-hormonal remedies effective?

Non-hormonal contraceptives cope with the task only in 80% of cases. For women who are sexually active, this method is not reliable. Local protection is suitable for irregular contacts, the impossibility of using oral contraceptives and an intrauterine hormonal device, some diseases of the female genital organs, endocrine pathologies, and during breastfeeding.

The main advantage of non-hormonal remedies is absolute safety for health and the absence of serious side effects (in rare cases, itching is possible). A woman may not worry that she did not take the pill, as is the case with hormonal drugs, because the drugs are used immediately before sexual intercourse.

Disadvantages of non-hormonal drugs

The disadvantages of non-hormonal contraceptives include:

Administration before coitus - it is necessary to precisely control the process and administer the drug no later than 10 minutes before contact.
It is forbidden to take a shower immediately: soap neutralizes the acidic environment in the vagina created by the product. In the annotations to the drugs you can find information that hygiene procedures are allowed only 2-3 hours after unprotected contact.
The short-term effect of the drug - the protection created by the drug lasts for 3-4 hours, that is, before the next contact it is recommended to introduce a new tablet, because the first one will no longer provide reliable protection.
Itching - some women note that after introducing the product into the vagina, itching appears (an allergic reaction).
Intolerance to the components included in the drug - in this case, do not use a contraceptive.

Types of non-hormonal contraception

Non-hormonal contraceptives have recently become increasingly popular due to their safety. They are classified according to the form of release (tablets, suppositories, creams, tampons, vaginal balls, aerosols) and the main active ingredient. Despite some differences, the main effect of the drugs will be the same. A wide selection of drugs allows a woman to choose the most suitable and easy-to-use contraception. It is recommended that you first read the instructions, which will indicate the method of administration and the duration of the effect.

Non-hormonal birth control pills

Girls and women who have contraindications to the use of hormonal contraceptives and who do not want to influence their hormonal levels can use local contraceptive pills or suppositories. These are the most convenient spermicide-based protection products to use.

Non-hormonal contraceptive pills for irregular relationships are an ideal option for women to protect against unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Quite often they are used by girls who are afraid of the side effects of oral contraceptives or, due to health conditions, cannot use other methods. You can choose vaginal tablets yourself or with the help of a gynecologist. Manufacturers recommend combining some of them with other methods of protection, such as a diaphragm.

The following non-hormonal contraceptives (for women) are most effective:

"Benatex";
"Pharmatex";
"Patentex Oval";
"Traceptin";
"Conceptrol".

Some of the listed remedies are based on the substance nonoxynol, which can somewhat prolong love pleasures by reducing sensitivity, others are based on benzalkonium chloride. The drugs do not differ in effectiveness and mechanism of action. You should prefer a product to the components of which a woman will not have an allergic reaction in the form of burning and itching.

"Pharmatex"

Currently, Pharmatex is the most popular among non-hormonal methods of contraception. The active component is benzalkonium chloride, a medicinal antiseptic with antifungal and contraceptive effects. At the local level, the drug destroys sperm and increases the secretion of viscous secretions, like other non-hormonal contraceptives.

For irregular relationships, Pharmatex suppositories will be the most convenient option for protection. The drug is also available in the form of cream, vaginal tablets and capsules, and tampons. Suppositories are effective for 4 hours, tablets - no more than 3. The manufacturer recommends introducing a new suppository (tablet, capsule) with each subsequent sexual intercourse.

According to studies, Pharmatex can protect against gonococcus, chlamydia, trichomonas, and type 2 herpes virus. At the same time, the product does not have a detrimental effect on the vaginal microflora and does not change the normal level of acidity.

"Patentex Oval"

When safe contraception is necessary, non-hormonal and at the same time effective contraceptives are selected. In irregular relationships, many women use a product based on nonoxynol - Patentex Oval. Its effectiveness ranges from 80 to 90%. The drug is produced in the form of vaginal foaming suppositories, which must be administered before sexual intercourse. In addition to protecting against unwanted pregnancy, suppositories provide antifungal and antiviral effects, that is, they protect a woman from many diseases transmitted through unprotected sexual contact.

Contraception after exposure

Emergency contraception is used if sexual intercourse was completely unprotected. In order to definitely protect yourself from unwanted pregnancy, it is recommended to take a contraceptive. No more than three days should pass after the act.

One-time contraception is based on blocking the release of a mature egg from the ovary and preventing attachment to the wall of the uterus in the event of fertilization. Doctors advise resorting to this method only in the most extreme situations. Popular products from this category include “Postinor”, “Escapelle”, “Zhenale”.

Constantly taking oral contraceptives does not make sense if a woman is not sexually active. It is better to choose methods that have less impact on the body, which can reliably protect against unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. In pharmacies today you can easily find various modern contraceptives that are quite effective and convenient.

What types of single-use contraceptives are there?

For irregular relationships, one-time products are best. In each individual case they must be selected individually. For women with irregular sexual activity, it is important that the chosen contraceptive has the following properties:

reliability;
convenience and ease of use;
safety of use;
availability;
protection against unplanned pregnancy;
protection against sexually transmitted diseases.

There are 3 main methods of protection:

barrier;
chemical;
hormone.

Which ones are better to choose? It all depends on many factors: personal preferences, risk, contraindications, and the situation itself. Each of them has its own pros and cons, so we’ll try to understand it in more detail.

Barrier method

The barrier method is the oldest and, perhaps, the most widespread among the population, because it has many advantages, such as:

relative cheapness;
availability;
ease of use;
quite high reliability;
no contraindications (except for allergies to the material);
absolute safety for the body;
protection not only from pregnancy, but also from infections.

Barrier methods can be used by everyone: nursing mothers, young girls, older women. In some cases, they are even recommended for pregnant women (to protect against infection).

The essence of the method is a mechanical obstacle that prevents sperm from penetrating the cervix. Use requires some attention from partners before and during sexual intercourse. Barrier methods include not only the well-known condoms, but also some other products.

Condoms

Everyone knows about condoms - this is perhaps the most accessible and simple means of protection. Its main advantage is protection against various sexually transmitted infections, which is why the condom has been and remains the number one remedy against unprotected sex. It is the condom that is best chosen as a method of protection during a casual relationship or at the beginning of a relationship when there is no complete confidence in the partner. It is easy to purchase at any pharmacy or store. A regular condom is placed on a man's penis and removed immediately after intercourse.

However, this proven tool has its own, very significant, disadvantages:

average contraceptive reliability;
they can rub, tear, or jump off;
decreased sensitivity during intimacy;
inability to use if you are allergic to latex;
a certain lack of aesthetics when used.

Some manufacturers produce condoms with spermicidal lubricant to increase reliability.

Despite popular belief, condoms can be used not only by men - there are special female condoms that have certain advantages over classic products:

polyurethane material is suitable for people allergic to latex;
you can insert such a condom several hours before sexual intercourse;
you can even go to the toilet with it;
he doesn't jump off;
can further stimulate the female genital organs during sex.

Unfortunately, the female condom can cause local irritation and is somewhat more difficult to put on than a classic condom (this will require a little practice). The product has two flexible rings - an internal one, which expands near the cervix, fixing the product, and an external one, which remains outside.

After sex, the condom is twisted to prevent sperm from leaking out, removed and discarded, just like a male condom. It is unacceptable to use male and female condoms at the same time - there is a high probability that they will break due to friction.

Vaginal diaphragm and cervical cap

The diaphragm is a dome-shaped rubber product that is inserted deep into the vaginal canal before sexual intercourse so that it covers the cervix. A latex product that is placed directly on the cervix is called a cervical (that is, cervical) cap. The cap is slightly different in shape from the diaphragm, but operates on the same principle.

The diaphragm or cap may cause irritation where it comes into contact with the mucosa. They cannot be protected against inflammatory processes, cervical erosion, or prolapse of the vaginal walls.

To increase reliability, it is recommended to additionally use spermicides. After use, the product is carefully removed, washed and placed in a disinfectant solution - it is reusable and, with proper care, can last up to a year. It is imperative to remove the cap immediately after sexual intercourse, otherwise you can cause a strong inflammatory reaction and even the development of toxic shock syndrome.

Before purchasing, it is better to consult a specialist to determine the right size, as well as learn how to insert a contraceptive correctly.

Other means

There are also less common products that are nevertheless quite often used in some countries. One of them is the vaginal sponge. It is a concave hemisphere made of porous material, having a loop for extraction and impregnated with a spermicidal substance. The sponge is inserted into the vagina at the cervix about a day before sexual intercourse and removed no later than 30 hours after that. Thus, it combines barrier and chemical methods of protection.

Chemical method

The chemical method means the introduction of substances that are harmful to sperm - spermicides. The main spermicides, on the basis of which a lot of modern drugs have been developed, are nonoxynol and benzalkonium chloride, which reduce the activity and even completely destroy sperm, making fertilization impossible.

Now there are many products in various forms that are inserted into the vagina at a certain time before sexual intercourse. The active substances begin to act early, making the cervical mucus thicker so that it is difficult for sperm to penetrate it. In addition, they create a protective film on the mucous membrane, protecting against the development of infection.

If it was not possible to resort to contraception in time, non-hormonal birth control pills can also be used after unprotected sex - this will significantly reduce the likelihood of pregnancy and the occurrence of infectious diseases (however, only a condom can prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections).

Spermicides act exclusively locally - this is the safety of their use even during breastfeeding. In addition, they moisturize the vaginal mucosa, acting as a lubricant. The disadvantages are:

low reliability;
inconvenient to use (it is necessary to calculate the exact time before sexual intercourse);
sometimes a burning sensation in the woman and her partner;
cannot be used frequently (the composition of the vaginal microflora is disrupted);
After sex, you should not take a shower or bath for a certain time (this will reduce spermicidal properties).

Due to its relatively low effectiveness, this method of contraception is best chosen as additional protection or when ovarian activity decreases (during lactation, at the beginning of menopause).

It is optimal to use it in conjunction with condoms: spermicides will enhance protection against infections, protect against damage to the condom, and also act as a lubricant.

Chemical contraception usually comes in the following forms:

candles;
cream;
foam;
films;
jelly;
tampons;
balloons.

Which one to choose depends on the situation and type of drug:

the most famous drug is Pharmatex, it is available in various versions, tampons have the longest effect (up to a day);
Patentex Oval and Conceptrol in the form of suppositories are administered 10 minutes before intimacy;
Ginekotex - vaginal tablets that have an antibacterial effect and are effective for 4 hours after administration;
Benatex gel will help relieve inflammation of the vaginal mucosa.

Thus, in different situations, different drugs can be used: Genikotex is optimal in case of unprotected sex with a new partner, Benatex - for colpitis, if everything is in order and the woman is more or less confident in her partner, then Pharmatex, Patentex Oval or Coceptrol are suitable. Whatever medications are chosen, it is important to follow the instructions exactly and not carry out hygiene procedures for a certain time after intimacy.

By the way, it is on creating an unfavorable environment for sperm that most folk remedies are based. Many recipes advise women to introduce an acidic solution into the vagina by douching. It is better to ignore such advice - commercial spermicides are much more reliable and safer.

Hormonal agents

Conventional oral contraceptives should not be used if you have irregular sex life. What hormonal pills are rarely used? There are so-called emergency or post-coital remedies that are created specifically in case of unprotected sexual intercourse.

Having taken pills after unprotected sex, a woman may have little to worry about the occurrence of an unwanted pregnancy, but large doses of hormones often have an adverse effect on the body: one pill can cause painful menstruation and disrupt the normal menstrual cycle for many months. That is why such contraception is called emergency - it is created for use in exceptional, extremely rare cases, it is better not to resort to it more than twice a year.

Single-use hormonal tablets most often contain levonorgestrel, a synthetic analogue of progesterone. It has the following effects on the reproductive system:

delayed ovulation;
thickening of cervical mucus;
thinning of the uterine endometrium.

If the drug is taken on time, then pregnancy is practically excluded - even if ovulation has occurred and fertilization has occurred, the egg will not be able to attach.

The drug should be taken as quickly as possible after unprotected sexual intercourse: no later than three days later, the first tablet is taken, then after 12 hours - the second. Taking two tablets at once just to be on the safe side can be life-threatening - high doses of hormones can cause thrombosis and other terrible consequences.

Emergency hormonal contraception most often causes a number of unpleasant symptoms, such as:

nausea and vomiting;
diarrhea;
abdominal pain;
pain and engorgement of the mammary glands;
menstrual irregularities;
headache;
feeling tired.

It must be taken into account that the contraceptive effect of the pill may decrease after vomiting and severe diarrhea. You need to carefully study the instructions for contraindications, possible interactions with other medications and side effects.

Another common group is tablets based on mifepristone, a progestogen antagonist. This means that this substance blocks the action of the hormone progesterone, as a result of which the fertilized egg cannot attach to the endometrium, and in large dosages, contractions of the uterus occur, expelling it. Mifepristone and medications based on it (Gynepristone) are taken within 72 hours after unprotected contact to protect against unwanted pregnancy, and even to terminate pregnancy (in very high doses, no later than 42 days of delay, strictly under medical supervision)

is a very reliable remedy, but it greatly affects a woman’s health, despite the fact that it cannot be considered a hormonal agent (in fact, this substance is only a hormone blocker), so its use unless absolutely necessary is unacceptable. In case of severe bleeding and pain, it is better to consult a specialist. Strong post-coital medications should never be used as regular contraception.

Whatever remedy you choose, the main thing is to take care of your health in a timely manner. It would be optimal to combine barrier and chemical methods of contraception, since they can perfectly complement each other, protecting against pregnancy and infections. In addition, these topical agents do not have a negative effect on the body.

If you experience discomfort after unprotected sexual intercourse, or if you suspect pregnancy, it is better to consult a doctor without delay.

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A full sex life is an important component of the relationship between a man and a woman. Long gone are the days when women tried to protect themselves from unwanted pregnancy with the help of traditional medicine and local barrier methods that were shockingly inventive. The modern pharmaceutical market offers a wide selection of contraceptives that are reliable and pleasant to use.

Benefits of non-hormonal remedies

Despite the increasing demand for oral contraceptives containing hormones, non-hormonal contraceptives are widely used among women of different age groups. The variety of forms used allows you not to limit the sex life of your sexual partners, to get the desired pleasure, and not to lose interest in sexual life.

Vaginal contraceptives are a chemical method of contraception based on the spermicidal effect of the main components of the drugs (nonoxynol or benzalkonium chloride) when applied locally (vaginally).

Release forms

Non-hormonal contraceptives have the following forms:

candles (suppositories);
balloons;
cream;
aerosol;
vaginal tablets;
capsules.

The increased interest in vaginal contraceptives that has arisen in recent decades has been facilitated by media advertising the benefits of this type of contraception. The search for an option to protect against unwanted pregnancy without the use of hormones leads to an alternative - a chemical method of protection.

Indications for the use of chemical contraception

This method is indicated in the following situations:

lack of regular sexual relations;
postpartum period and lactation period;
contraindications to the use of hormone-containing drugs;
the presence of chronic diseases of the circulatory system, endocrine system and genitourinary system;
absolute or temporary contraindication to the use of barrier methods of contraception (intrauterine device, cervical cap, diaphragm, condom);
severe menopausal syndrome, manifested by structural changes in the vaginal mucosa;
errors in the use of oral hormonal contraceptives.

The almost complete absence of side effects and the absolute availability of purchase make it possible to evaluate the positive characteristics of these funds.

Advantages of non-hormonal contraceptives

Positive characteristics include:

absence of side effects associated with changes in hormonal levels;
do not require control over the application regimen;
prevent infection by pathogenic flora;
easy to use, have a pleasant aroma;
act as a lubricant, moisturizing the vaginal mucosa;
the best type of contraception during the postpartum and lactation period.

Despite the advantages of non-hormonal contraceptives, like any drug, they also have negative characteristics.

Disadvantages of non-hormonal contraceptives

The disadvantages of non-hormonal contraceptives include:

lower efficiency compared to drugs containing hormones;
require preparation for sexual intercourse (preliminary introduction 5-10 minutes);
with frequent use they cause local allergic reactions in the form of redness, burning and itching;
contraindication to water procedures after coitus using personal hygiene products;
reduce their effectiveness during the use of antibacterial or steroid drugs;
not recommended in the presence of acute inflammatory processes in the vagina and cervix, or with vaginal bleeding.

The choice of a non-hormonal drug must be approached consciously. A consultation with a gynecologist would be most appropriate. The doctor will select non-hormonal birth control pills, taking into account experience of use among different age groups, analysis of effectiveness, indications and individual characteristics of the body.

As practice shows, most women prescribe contraceptives on their own, basing their preference on the opinions of friends who advertise the drugs, as well as thanks to advertising in the media. Often the choice is based on the advice of the pharmacy pharmacist. What topical medications are most effective? Which non-hormonal pills will be better?

TOP 10 vaginal contraceptives

In the top 10 most used drugs, according to medical statistics:

Pharmatex;
Gynekotex;
Benzalkonium chloride;
Erotex;
Contratex
Patentex Oval;
Nonoxynol;
Traceptin;
Conceptol.

The drug Pharmatex based on benzalkonium chloride has proven itself well. It is available in the form of vaginal tablets, vaginal tampons, suppositories, and cream. The spermicidal effect of the drug destroys the sperm membrane. The thick mucus that forms interferes with the fertilization process.

Each individual suppository is indicated for one-time use before sexual intercourse. The activity of the drug and the duration of action depend on the form of release of the drug. The most effective is Pharmatex in the form of a cream, which retains its activity for up to 10 hours after insertion into the vagina. In addition, a bactericidal effect was noted against certain types of bacteria and viruses: chlamydia, trichomonas, Staphylococcus aureus and herpes.

Remains of the product can be removed with plain water a few hours after coitus. Any type of local contraceptives should be administered in a horizontal position of the body. The widespread use of Pharmatex by women of all ages determined its inclusion in the top ten most popular means of protection.

Ginekotex vaginal contraceptive tablets are indicated for intravaginal use. The effect is similar to the previous drug, but has a wider range of bactericidal effects, including enterococci, candida, HIV and others. Incompatible with iodine preparations that inactivate the molecules of the active substance. During sexual intercourse, it is enough to insert the tablet once into the vagina. Single-use tablets are taken topically, slightly moistened with water.

The contraceptive effect of Erotex is due not only to the thickening of cervical mucus and the creation of a film that impedes the movement of sperm, but also to the separation of the head from the sperm flagellum. Disposable vaginal suppositories, which are inserted into the vagina, are no less effective than low-dose oral contraceptives.

Erotex, having a broad antimicrobial effect, does not disturb the general microbial landscape of the vagina, is not absorbed by the vaginal walls, and does not enter the systemic bloodstream. Single-use contraceptive suppositories have a pleasant aroma: lemon, rose, lavender, vanilla.

Contratex is presented in the form of vaginal suppositories, which have spermicidal, antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral effects against most strains of pathogenic flora, including resistant species. Intravaginal administration into the vagina ensures the drug is active for 1 to 4 hours.

Traceptin vaginal tablets, which contain potassium hydrogen tartrate, are inserted into the vagina 10 minutes before sexual intercourse. They have active spermicidal and antimicrobial activity.

The drugs Patentex Oval, Nonoxynol and Conceptrol are based on nonoxynol. It reduces sperm motility by creating a chemical barrier. It is better to administer suppositories or cream using a special applicator 10 minutes before intercourse. The active substance nonoxynol has antimicrobial activity against most pathogenic microorganisms: bacteria, viruses, fungi.

Non-hormonal contraceptives remain effective when used correctly. A single dose of the drug can be combined with other types of contraception. A hormonal contraceptive in combination with a non-hormonal contraceptive, taken for the first time before sexual intercourse, significantly increases effectiveness. Non-hormonal drugs combined with barrier methods of protection (condom, IUD, etc.) also increase the chances of success.

Let the choice of an effective non-hormonal contraceptive be entrusted to a gynecologist who has analyzed the general condition of the female body and its individual characteristics.

There comes a time in every woman’s life when she thinks about protecting herself from unwanted pregnancy. Currently, pharmacy shelves offer a wide range of hormonal tablets that are highly effective. However, in the minds of Russian women the memory of their side effects associated with excess weight gain is still alive.

In this regard, many representatives of the fair half of humanity prefer to use contraceptives that do not contain hormones, despite their low effectiveness. What non-hormonal contraceptive pills do pharmacists offer women, and what new generation hormonal contraceptives do not have side effects on the female body?

Currently, women of reproductive age are increasingly resorting to chemical protection against pregnancy provided by non-hormonal pills. However, they justify their name only by their form, although they are not tablets as such. These drugs are not taken orally, like traditional hormonal contraceptives, but are inserted into the vagina.

These drugs contain spermicides - substances that destroy sperm within a short period of time, preventing them from penetrating the fallopian tube. Their active substance is benzalkonium chloride or nonoxynol.

How exactly do non-hormonal contraceptives work?

Coming into contact with a sperm, spermicides destroy the flagellum, interfering with its further movement.
When interacting with the head of the sperm, the membrane is damaged, which leads to its death.
Causes thickening of mucus in the cervical canal of the cervix, which becomes a reliable obstacle to the advancement of weakened sperm.

Preparations based on spermicides are also available in other substances, which include the following forms:

vaginal suppositories;
vaginal creams and gels;
tampons;
diaphragms are soft, dome-shaped caps that cover the cervix.

Regardless of the form of release, the use of non-hormonal contraceptives allows you to create a reliable protective barrier against fungi and other diseases transmitted during unprotected sexual intercourse. This is facilitated by substances included in the preparations that have bactericidal and antimicrobial effects.

A distinctive feature of non-hormonal methods of contraception is that they must be used immediately before intimacy. At the same time, they retain their effectiveness for several hours.

Degree of reliability

The effectiveness of certain contraceptive drugs is assessed using the Pearl scale. The study is conducted among 100 women using this particular method of contraception. This indicator is based on information about how many women among the subjects managed to become pregnant despite protection. And the lower the indicator, the higher the effectiveness of the group of drugs being evaluated.

In this case, this indicator is 8-36. This means that from 8 to 36 women out of 100 become pregnant even with protection from unwanted pregnancy.

When is the use of non-hormonal drugs indicated?

Despite the rather low efficiency, non-hormonal contraceptive pills have a number of advantages compared to hormonal methods of contraception.

They can be used for various gynecological diseases, for example, uterine fibroids, as well as in the presence of hormone-dependent tumors.
These drugs do not enter the stomach and are not absorbed into the blood, and therefore are not able to affect the liver, blood vessels and other body systems.
They can be used for rare sexual contacts.
They have a bactericidal and antimicrobial effect, which hormonal agents lack.

Non-hormonal contraception will provide reliable protection for women breastfeeding babies. They are used if women are contraindicated to use COCs or other types of contraceptives.

These drugs will help prevent pregnancy in women of Balzac age (40-45 years). At this age, the menstrual cycle is no longer regular. However, the possibility of pregnancy has not yet been ruled out.

Disadvantages and contraindications

Such drugs are inserted into the vagina. Moreover, this must be done at least 10 minutes before the intended sexual contact. This means the absence of any unpredictability in sex and the need to discuss with your partner the time of each coitus. When using these drugs, it is not recommended to shower immediately before or after sexual intercourse. The time you need to wait is specified in the instructions for each drug.

Non-hormonal medications contain acid, which can irritate the mucous membrane, causing itching and burning in the vagina. However, these products are not recommended to be used regularly, since their long-term use can lead to disruption of the microflora in the vagina, causing the development of dysbacteriosis. There are no contraindications for the use of these contraceptives. The only exception is individual intolerance to their components.

Review of popular contraceptives

All non-hormonal tablets are divided into groups based on which of the active ingredients is included in their composition.

Names of contraceptives based on benzalkonium chloride:

Pharmatex is most popular due to its low cost combined with high efficiency. It is available in the form of vaginal tablets, cream, suppositories and even tampons. Regardless of the dosage form, the drug begins to act 10 minutes after ingestion, without losing its properties for 3-4 hours.
Ginotex are ring-shaped tablets. It is recommended to administer them no later than 5 minutes before contact. The effect of the tablet lasts for 4 hours.
Genotex are tablets whose action is identical to previous drugs.
Erotex is a non-hormonal contraceptive suppository, the effect of which begins after 10 minutes and ends after 3 hours.
Contratex are candles that begin to perform their functions after 10 minutes and end after 4 hours.

Names of contraceptives based on nonoxenol:

Patentex Oval are highly effective suppositories that are inserted into the vagina 10 minutes before expected intimacy. They retain their effect for up to 10 hours.
Nonoxenol is a contraceptive suppository that has the same characteristics as the previous drug.

It should be remembered that before each subsequent sexual intercourse, non-hormonal contraceptives must be reintroduced.

Features of choice

How to determine which non-hormonal birth control pills are better? Considering their low cost, price is not a decisive factor when choosing. However, as the experience of women who have already experienced all existing forms of non-hormonal contraceptives shows, suppositories are suitable for women suffering from vaginal dryness. When using them, there is no need to use lubricants.

There are also unpleasant phenomena associated with the fact that when the tablet dissolves, a characteristic hissing sound is heard, and foam is released from the vagina. In addition, even using the best medications, it is possible that irritation, itching and burning may occur not only in women, but also in their partners. Each woman’s body reacts differently to certain substances. Therefore, determining which non-hormonal contraceptives are better will have to be done through trial and error.

Hormonal contraceptives

Every year, an increasing number of women prefer the use of hormonal oral contraceptives, which is explained by their high efficiency. They not only reliably protect against unwanted pregnancy, but also have a beneficial effect on the female reproductive system. Among other contraceptives, new generation contraceptives took pride of place on the pedestal.

All modern hormonal preparations for oral administration are divided into four types, based on the amount of hormones they contain.

Microdosed contraceptives contain a minimal amount of hormones, which practically eliminates their side effects. The active ingredient in such drugs is ethinyl estradiol, a synthetic analogue of estradiol. Because of this, they are used to treat acne and painful menstruation caused by hormonal imbalances. Such drugs can be used both by very young nulliparous girls and by mature women who have never taken hormonal contraceptives.
Low-dose contraceptives also contain synthetic estradiol in combination with progesterone. Such drugs will be an ideal means of preventing unwanted pregnancy for young women who have already given birth. In addition to the contraceptive effect, these medications help eliminate manifestations caused by excessive levels of male sex hormones in the body. These include hair growth in inappropriate places, acne and male pattern baldness.

Medium-dose contraceptives contain synthetic analogues of estradiol with progesterone. They are intended for mature women who have given birth. Like the previous option, these drugs are designed to normalize hormonal levels. However, they cannot be used during breastfeeding.
High-dose contraceptives contain increased doses of estradiol and progesterone. Such drugs are most often used for medicinal purposes to restore hormonal levels. To protect against unwanted pregnancy, new generation birth control pills are recommended for women who have given birth after 35 years of age.

Emergency contraception

These drugs are used in emergency situations and help prevent pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse. They are recommended for use in the following cases:

in case of violent acts or if the condom is damaged;
with infrequent sexual intercourse.

Contraindications to their use include bleeding disorders, heart and vascular diseases, liver and kidney failure, malignant tumors and smoking.

Features of taking pills

How long can you take oral contraceptives, and do you need to change them? They must be taken daily and preferably at the same time. It is recommended to start taking them on the first day of menstruation. These drugs are intended for long-term use. However, women taking hormonal contraceptives should visit their gynecologist annually. If there are no contraindications, you can continue taking contraceptives.

With long-term use of COCs, menstruation may stop altogether, and this is not a pathology. However, if a woman forgot to take her birth control pill and the last day of her period is long past, this may be a sign of pregnancy. After discontinuation of contraceptives, the menstrual cycle is completely restored within 1-2 months. In this case, pregnancy can occur immediately or after a short period of time. You can take birth control pills for several years. If they do not cause any side effects in a woman, they should not be changed. Otherwise, the body will experience stress.

Natural methods of contraception

Methods of preventing unwanted pregnancy without hormones have been used for a long time. Despite the wide range of modern contraceptives offered by pharmacists, they still remain relevant today.

One of them is based on counting the days of ovulation. On average, the duration of the menstrual cycle is from 28 to 30 days. In its first half, the follicle matures. And ovulation occurs in the second half of the cycle. The ability to fertilize a mature egg remains for 2-3 days. In this case, sperm can take a wait-and-see position for 4 days. Therefore, special care only needs to be taken for about a week in the middle of the cycle.

In some cases, the days of ovulation can be determined by measuring basal temperature, which rises on the most dangerous days. However, the reliability of calculations and temperature measurements in the rectum cannot guarantee full protection.

Some couples practice coitus interruptus. However, even in this case, pregnancy cannot be ruled out, since a small amount of sperm may be contained in the lubricant secreted by the partner’s penis. In this case, the likelihood of pregnancy increases depending on how many sexual acts have been performed.

Bibliography

Venereal diseases. Directory. Ed. N. 3. Yagovdika. -Minsk: “Belarusskaya Navuka”, 1998. – 342 p.
Emergency conditions in obstetrics. Sukhikh V.N., G.T.Sukhikh, I.I.Baranov et al., Publisher: Geotar-Media, 2011.
Pregnancy and childbirth with extragenital diseases. Grip of the UMO for medical education, Apresyan S.V., Radzinsky V.E. 2009 Publisher: Geotar-Media.
Rakovskaya I.V., Vulfovich Yu.V. Mycoplasma infections of the urogenital tract. – M.: Medicine, 1995.
Diseases of the cervix, vagina and vulva / Ed. V.N. Prilep-

Protection from unwanted pregnancy is one of the most pressing issues of concern to all women. Everyone understands perfectly well that abortions cause enormous harm to the female body. However, gynecologists are seriously concerned about the current situation: despite the fact that there are now new generation contraceptives, the number of unplanned pregnancies ending in abortions is growing every year.

What makes women refuse to use effective contraceptives of the new generation, take thoughtless risks, and, in the end, go for an abortion? The financial side of the issue? It can hardly be called an objective reason - the methods are very diverse. If desired, a woman with absolutely any income can choose suitable means of protection against unwanted pregnancy. In fact, most methods and means of contraception do not cause much harm to a woman’s budget. An abortion will entail much more damage for the woman, both financial and moral.

If the reason for women’s refusal to use contraceptives against unwanted pregnancy is not the financial side, then what is? What makes women risk their health and ignore contraceptive methods? As the results of long-term observation of gynecologists, as well as statistics from sociological surveys show, the most common reasons for refusing to use contraceptive methods are trivial:

Ordinary laziness. A woman does not want to look for suitable methods to prevent unwanted pregnancy. However, hoping “maybe” will sooner or later lead a woman to an unwanted pregnancy. If you don’t want to spend a long time selecting contraceptive methods, the IUD is exactly what you need. In order to use a contraceptive method such as the IUD, you will only have to spend a few hours visiting a gynecologist once, after which you can forget about the problem of contraception for several years. This is the best method of contraception for those women who do not want to monitor their menstrual cycle or take pills.
Ignorance of the operating principle of most methods of preventing unwanted pregnancy. Unfortunately, the harm of contraceptives is greatly exaggerated in the minds of many women. Often, entire legends develop around methods of birth control, passed from one woman to another, each time acquiring more and more terrifying details about the dangers of contraceptives. If a woman fears for her health, she needs to see a gynecologist who will help her choose the safest method of contraception, taking into account her particular health characteristics and needs.
Hope for a rhythmic method of contraception. Many women use rhythmic methods of contraception. However, they do not take into account that in order to successfully use the calendar method of contraception, a woman’s menstrual cycle must be very, very stable. This method is far from the safest method of contraception.
Women are afraid to use contraceptive methods when breastfeeding. Many mothers believe that this can cause serious harm to the baby’s health. However, in reality this is not the case. The use of contraceptives while breastfeeding is absolutely safe and cannot in any way harm the health of the baby. If a woman is still very afraid, she can always choose non-hormonal contraceptives. What they are will be discussed below.

A lot has been said about the dangers of abortions that women have to undergo due to neglect of modern methods of contraception. Therefore, this article will not focus on this issue. It talks about what modern methods of contraception exist, and also gives a classification of contraceptive methods.

Natural methods of contraception

The physiological method of contraception is one of the favorites of many women, despite its imperfections. There are two types of physiological contraception:

Temperature method of contraception.
Calendar method of contraception.

The female body is designed in such a way that a woman can become pregnant not every day, but strictly on certain days of her menstrual cycle. Pregnancy can only occur during ovulation. Ovulation is the process of release of a mature egg from the ovaries.

Any biological method of contraception is based precisely on this feature of the female body. And that is why, for protection with biological methods of contraception, it is very important that a woman has a stable menstrual cycle.

A natural method of contraception, called calendar, allows you to determine the time of ovulation by counting and scheduling days favorable for conception. In order to do this, a woman must know some features of the conception process.

Fertilization of the egg is possible only within one day from the moment it leaves the ovary. The sperm retains the ability to fertilize the egg within three days from the moment of penetration into the vagina. Natural methods of contraception, including calendar methods, are based on this feature.

First, a woman needs to determine the duration of her menstrual cycle. For the first day of the cycle, you need to take the first day of menstruation. Subtract 18 days from the resulting duration - you will get the first day favorable for conception. After this, subtract 11 from the first day of the menstrual cycle - you get the last “dangerous” day. Remember that the reliability of such a biological method of contraception is only possible in the case of a stable cycle for at least a year.

The temperature method of contraception is a more reliable contraceptive, as it is based on constant accurate measurement of basal body temperature. The main places where this temperature is measured are the oral cavity, vagina, and rectum.

In the evening, prepare a notebook, pen and thermometer. It is preferable to use ordinary mercury, since its readings are more accurate, and accuracy is very important for an effective method of contraception. Immediately after waking up, without getting up in bed, measure the temperature in the rectum for 10 minutes. Try to take your temperature at the same time. After this, immediately write down the readings in a notebook; do not rely on your memory.

The temperature must be measured for at least a month. After this, the woman needs to make a schedule, noting calendar dates vertically and basal temperature horizontally. After this, connect the dots. The result will be a chart of your menstrual cycle.

Immediately after the ovulation process has occurred, the basal temperature rises sharply, amounting to approximately 37.3 degrees Celsius. The most favorable days for conception are the times within 4 days before and after the temperature rises.

This method is difficult to classify as the best method of contraception, since it is not reliable enough, but its adherents talk about some of its advantages over traditional methods of contraception. For the sake of objectivity, these advantages are listed below:

There is no need to introduce foreign substances into the body, as, for example, when using barrier methods of contraception.
Unlike pills to prevent unwanted pregnancy, such methods fall into the category of safe contraceptives.
Also, religious women prefer to use these methods, since these are the only church-approved ways to prevent unwanted pregnancy.
Such methods are non-hormonal methods of contraception.

These methods have only one drawback, but a very significant one - although they are safe contraceptives, they are very unreliable.

Birth control pills

Contraceptive methods for women nowadays are quite wide. Including contraceptives - pills. The pill is a fairly reliable contraceptive that protects against pregnancy in approximately 98% of cases. Such a high degree of protection is achieved thanks to the artificially synthesized sex hormones included in the tablets.

Oral contraceptives inhibit the ovulation process and also change the normal structure of the uterine mucosa, thereby eliminating the possibility of embryo implantation even if fertilization does occur. Thus, pills to prevent unwanted pregnancy provide a multi-level level of protection. This is why the pill is considered the most reliable method of contraception.

Some women worry about whether pregnancy is possible after taking contraceptives, especially hormonal drugs. Such fears are absolutely groundless; absolutely all changes occurring in the female body are completely reversible and disappear after the woman stops taking oral contraceptives. In addition, contraceptives such as pills have a very “pleasant” side effect - almost all women note a significant improvement in the condition of their skin, nails and hair.

In some cases, gynecologists prescribe hormonal contraceptives for women for therapeutic purposes, for correction. Remember that independent choice of hormonal contraceptives is unacceptable for women. Only a gynecologist should prescribe hormonal contraceptives for women. After all, it is possible to select truly effective methods of contraception only by taking into account all the individual characteristics of the female body.

Doctors highlight several advantages of hormonal contraceptives for women:

Stabilization of the menstrual cycle in those women for whom it was irregular.
Also, hormonal methods of female contraception almost completely eliminate premenstrual syndrome and unpleasant physical sensations during menstruation.
Hormonal methods of contraception for women protect a woman from such a common disease as iron deficiency anemia.
Women who use hormonal methods of female contraception have a 60% reduced risk of developing all kinds of inflammatory diseases of the reproductive system.
In addition, the risk of developing all kinds of tumor diseases is significantly reduced. Moreover, a pronounced therapeutic effect is noted. For example, in those women who used hormonal contraceptives for fibroids, doctors noted a significant improvement in the condition, and even a complete cure.
The risk of developing osteoporosis in those women who use hormonal female contraceptives is reduced significantly, which is also important. Unfortunately, a good half of all women experience osteoporosis. This is also worth paying attention to when choosing contraceptives after 35 years.
Remarkable prevention of the occurrence in the future of such a formidable complication as an ectopic pregnancy.
The use of female hormonal contraceptives significantly improves the condition of the skin and treats a large number of skin diseases associated with hormonal disorders.

However, while listing the numerous advantages, it is also worth mentioning the negative aspects that this most effective method of contraception has:

Women who prefer this method of preventing unwanted pregnancy may experience periodic increases in blood pressure. However, such a side effect is very rare, in no more than 5% of cases and, as a rule, in women who suffer from hypertension.
Modern hormonal-based contraceptives can cause attacks of cholelithiasis in those women who suffer from it.
When choosing pills - the most effective contraceptives - you must take into account that in the first months they can cause menstrual irregularities. These disorders can manifest themselves in the form of spotting or, on the contrary, a complete absence of menstrual bleeding. You should not be afraid of this phenomenon, since it is temporary and disappears on its own, two to three months after starting to take the drug. In the same case, if this does not happen, which is extremely rare, the woman needs to consult a doctor who will help you choose another, more optimal drug. After all, the effectiveness of contraceptive methods is ensured precisely through individual selection.
The main argument against hormonal drugs put forward by women who prefer non-hormonal methods of contraception is gaining excess body weight. In fact, the concentration of hormones in modern contraceptives is so low that it cannot in any way affect body weight. And weight gain occurs due to an improperly balanced diet and insufficient physical activity.
Some drugs can cause quite unpleasant sensations in the mammary glands, reminiscent of the sensations during pregnancy: the breasts may become full and even ache. As a rule, such sensations disappear a few months after starting to take the drug.
In very rare cases, severe headaches of a paroxysmal nature may occur. If headaches occur more often than twice a week, the woman should immediately stop taking the medications and consult a doctor.
Women using hormonal contraceptives after 40 years of age often complain of occasional feelings of nausea, which almost never progress to vomiting. Doctors explain this by age-related hormonal changes in the woman’s body.
Some women complain that after starting to take the pills they experience emotional instability. However, doctors deny any connection with contraceptives.
Quite often, in the first few months, a woman may notice a change in sexual desire. In some women it increases; this is partly facilitated by the fact that the woman stops being afraid of an unwanted pregnancy. Other women, on the contrary, complain of decreased sexual desire. However, this is also a temporary phenomenon, and a woman should not worry about this.
In rare cases, when taking hormonal drugs, age spots may appear, especially on those areas of the skin that are exposed to direct sunlight. If such a complication occurs, the woman should notify her doctor. As a rule, after a couple of months the problem goes away on its own.

Barrier contraception

New methods of contraception provide women with a wide range of choices. If a woman does not want, for some reason, to take birth control pills, she can choose topical contraceptives. The principle by which vaginal contraceptives work is very simple: they use chemicals that are inserted into a woman's vagina. When sperm enters, these chemicals, called spermicides, instantly destroy them. In addition, spermicides create a thin protective film on the vaginal mucosa, and thickening of cervical secretions also occurs. Thus, an additional barrier for sperm appears.

There are two chemicals used in vaginal contraceptives: benzalkonium chloride and nonoxynol. It is on their basis that a local contraceptive, beloved by many women, called “Pharmatex”, was created. Another very important advantage that such contraceptives have when breastfeeding is complete safety for the baby, since the active ingredients do not pass into breast milk. The following describes the main types of contraceptives in this group.

Contraceptin belongs to the group of “chemical contraceptives”; it disinfects, has an antibacterial effect and kills sperm. This is the best contraceptive for those women whose sex life is irregular. This remedy does not require systematic use; it is enough to insert vaginal suppositories into the vagina once, immediately before sexual intercourse.

Nonoxylol also belongs to the group of “chemical contraceptives”. It also has a pronounced spermicidal effect, leading to immobilization and death of sperm. In addition, this drug has a pronounced antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal effect, which ensures a fairly high level of protection against many sexually transmitted diseases. Patentex Oval has exactly the same effect. The form in which these contraceptives are produced is suppositories.

Gramicidin paste continues the list of contraceptives. The active ingredient in this chemical contraceptive is the antibiotic gramicidin. It is a powerful bactericidal and contraceptive agent. In addition, its use is often recommended for those women who suffer from inflammatory diseases of the cervix or vagina.

Chemical methods of contraception also offer such an effective remedy as Traceptin. This is a very effective remedy that has a contraceptive effect. Available in the form of tablets that must be inserted into the vagina immediately before sexual intercourse. However, such a chemical method of contraception can cause side effects such as severe burning in the vagina. If you are faced with such a problem, you should turn your attention to other local contraceptives.

The latest methods of contraception offer women a remedy such as Pharmatex. It is a contraceptive drug and reliably protects against unwanted pregnancy. In terms of its effectiveness, it can be placed on a par with such contraceptives as suppositories, IUDs and tablets. The risk of pregnancy is no more than 1%. In addition, this chemical means of preventing pregnancy has a high ability to protect a woman from many sexually transmitted diseases. It has an inhibitory effect on pathogenic flora such as candida, chlamydia, herpes, gonococci and chlamydia.

This remedy is one of the optimal methods of contraception during breastfeeding, also for those women who are contraindicated for intrauterine contraceptives - the spiral. Pharmatex does not have any contraindications or side effects and can be safely used even as a contraceptive after 40 years.

Pharmatex is available in several forms:

Vaginal balls. They are inserted 3 minutes before sexual intercourse, deep into the vagina.
The second form is cream. The cream must also be injected deep into the vagina immediately before sexual intercourse.
Tampons. Inserted into the vagina before sexual intercourse, the protective effect lasts 24 hours, whereas similar contraceptives are one-time use. And before each new sexual intercourse, a new dose of the drug must be administered.

If you use candle contraceptive methods, make sure that they are at hand at the right time, so that you don’t start frantically rushing around in search of the treasured box.

Some women prefer rather exotic contraceptives, the patch, for example. The patch is glued to the woman’s skin for a certain period of time, during which protection against unwanted pregnancy occurs. What is the basis of the action of such a contraceptive as a patch? Under its influence, the level of hormones in the female body changes, which, in fact, has a contraceptive effect. It is worth keeping in mind that this method is quite young, so the effectiveness of this method of contraception is not yet reliably known.

When listing barrier contraceptives, the ring also cannot be ignored. In fact, the idea that the ring is a non-hormonal contraceptive is wrong. The principle of its action is the same as that of tablets. However, its advantage is that a woman does not need to constantly monitor timely consumption. A contraceptive such as a ring is enough to be placed in the vagina once - and for three weeks you can forget about the issue of contraception. The hormones contained in the vaginal ring penetrate into the blood and provide protection against pregnancy.

Due to the action of hormones, the uterine mucosa changes - it thickens and loses its ability to implant a fertilized egg. This remedy reliably protects against unwanted pregnancy in 97% of cases, but do not forget that it does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. That is why its use is justified only if you have a regular sexual partner.

Spiral

Very often, in response to her question about which contraceptives are best, a woman hears about the IUD. An IUD is an intrauterine device. Is this really the most reliable method of contraception? In order to understand this, you need to know by what principle protection against unwanted pregnancy occurs.

An intrauterine device is a special flexible device designed for insertion into the uterine cavity for a long time, and provides protection against unwanted pregnancy. There are two types of IUDs:

Non-drug spiral.
Medication. Such a spiral may contain substances such as copper, silver, gold, progesterone and other drugs.

The shape of the intrauterine device can also be very diverse: in the form of a ring, and in the form of a spiral, in other modifications. Plastic is most often used as a material for the manufacture of intrauterine devices. The spiral combines the advantages of barrier and hormonal methods of contraception.

Protection against pregnancy occurs due to the fact that the spiral:

Causes thickening of the mucus of the cervical canal of the uterus.
Significantly reduces the speed of movement of the egg into the uterine cavity.
Reduces the ability of sperm to penetrate the uterine cavity.
Causes changes in the structure of the uterine mucosa.

The intrauterine device is currently the most effective method of contraception; it provides 99% guarantee of protection against unwanted pregnancy. In addition, if you compare contraceptives for breastfeeding women, the comparison will be in favor of the IUD. It is completely safe for the baby, since even when using a medicated spiral, not a drop of the drug will penetrate into breast milk.

A woman can have an IUD inserted at any time convenient for her, regardless of the day of her menstrual cycle, which allows the woman to choose the day that is convenient for her to go to the doctor. In addition, if you choose contraception after childbirth, the IUD is the best option for you, since it can be inserted immediately after childbirth, as well as after an uncomplicated abortion.

The intrauterine device is the best contraceptive for women who want to achieve long-term and effective protection against pregnancy. However, when choosing contraceptives for girls, you need to know that the use of the IUD in nulliparous women is not recommended.

It is not recommended to leave the device in the uterine cavity longer than indicated in the instructions. Also, in no case is it permissible to independently remove the spiral. To summarize, I would like to once again draw attention to some facts:

A contraceptive such as the IUD can be used as a method of contraception after childbirth. Make sure to purchase the IUD in advance and notify your doctor of your desire.
The intrauterine device is an absolutely safe contraceptive for breastfeeding women, since the device does not cause any harm to the baby.
Those women who are contraindicated in using hormonal contraceptives after 35 years of age can use the IUD without fear of worsening their health.
I would like to draw the attention of women to the fact that the intrauterine device does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. That is why the use of a spiral is justified only if a woman has a regular sexual partner.

Contraception for men

Very often, girls are interested in what contraceptives exist for men, and do they exist at all? Despite their limited choice, contraceptive methods for men still exist. All currently existing male contraceptives are described below.

Coitus interruptus is one of the most favorite methods of contraception for men. The essence of this method is as follows: the penis is removed from the woman’s vagina before ejaculation occurs. However, the reliability of this method of male contraception is very low.

Very often, at the very beginning of sexual intercourse, a small amount of sperm is released, but quite sufficient to fertilize the egg. As statistics show, every third sexual intercourse using interruption as a male contraceptive leads to an unwanted pregnancy. Also, with constant use of interrupted sexual intercourse, a significant decrease in male potency is possible.

When talking about what male methods of contraception there are, the condom also cannot be ignored. As everyone knows, a condom is a latex elastic sheath that is placed on the erect penis. The method of contraception using a condom has several clear advantages over other male methods.

A condom prevents sperm from entering the vagina, thereby completely eliminating the risk of unwanted pregnancy. Direct contact between the penis and vagina is also eliminated, thereby eliminating the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases. In addition, a condom is a one-time use contraceptive, ideal for those men and women whose sex life is irregular. In addition, it can be used by those married couples for whom other methods of contraception after childbirth are not suitable for some reason.

The use of condoms has no contraindications and does not require large financial costs. However, it also has a disadvantage - the condom may break. In this case, the woman will be forced to pay attention to.

There are also less common methods of male contraception, such as sterilization and hormonal drugs. Since birth control pills for men are still in the testing stage, they will not be discussed in this article, but read on to find out what sterilization is.

Male sterilization is called a vasectomy. Its principle lies in the intersection of the vas deferens. The operation is performed under local anesthesia and lasts about 10 minutes. About a month after the procedure, the man completely loses the ability to have children. However, this process is completely reversible if a man wants to have children in the future.

This procedure has absolutely no negative impact on the man’s health: his normal hormonal levels do not change, and sexual desire and potency do not decrease.

Today, this is a complete list of known contraceptives for men.

Emergency contraception methods

Unfortunately, unforeseen situations periodically arise in life and unprotected sexual intercourse occurs. In order to prevent an unwanted pregnancy, there are methods of emergency contraception. I would also like to remind women that if they need emergency contraception, traditional methods will not help them.

There are certain post-intercourse contraceptives that prevent pregnancy even if the intercourse was unprotected. Contraception after sex comes in the form of pills containing large amounts of hormones.

Contraceptives after the act, according to the principle of their action and chemical composition, are divided into two types:

Contraceptives after sex, the main active ingredient of which is levonorgestrel. The most well-known methods of emergency contraception belonging to this group are drugs such as Escapelle and Postinor. They belong to the group of hormonal drugs and can be purchased at the pharmacy without a prescription.
Contraceptives after sexual intercourse, related to non-hormonal drugs, based on an active substance such as mifepristone. The most well-known post-coital contraceptive belonging to this group is Postinor. Non-hormonal drugs can be used as emergency contraception for adolescents.

The principle on which the emergency contraception method works is that the process of blocking ovulation occurs, which eliminates the possibility of fertilization. In the same case, if fertilization occurred earlier than the drug was taken, the drug eliminates the possibility of implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterine cavity.

Despite the fact that such products can help prevent an unwanted pregnancy, a woman should remember that these are disposable contraceptives that cannot be abused. It is also necessary to take into account the fact that this type of contraception does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

Teenage contraception

No matter how indignant older people may be about the moral laxity of modern society and the obscene, in their opinion, behavior of teenagers, teenage sex has been, is, and will be. And it is extremely unwise for adults to try to bury their heads in the sand - denying the existence of a problem will not go away. It makes much more sense to help children and tell them about contraceptive methods for teenagers. This will help avoid problems associated with sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancy.

The latest methods of contraception allow you to choose the most optimal method that will not have a negative impact on the growing body. In order to understand how to choose contraceptives, it is necessary to take into account some characteristics characteristic of teenage sexual intercourse.

In most cases, sexual intercourse among adolescents is not regular, so using new planned methods of contraception is absolutely impractical.
Unfortunately, during adolescence, casual sex very often occurs, which significantly increases the chances of contracting sexually transmitted diseases. Therefore, contraceptives for adolescents face not only the task of eliminating unwanted pregnancy, but also protecting against sexually transmitted infections.
Contraception methods for girls must be very reliable, since an abortion performed at such a young age can lead to serious consequences.

Taking into account all the above-mentioned features of the sexual life of adolescents, we can draw the following conclusion about how to choose contraceptives and what you should pay attention to if a teenager categorically refuses to go to the doctor:

A contraceptive method for girls must be reliable in preventing sexually transmitted diseases. And also protect against unwanted pregnancy.
Contraception for girls should not harm their health.
In addition, a contraceptive method for adolescents should be affordable.

Condoms or non-hormonal birth control pills most ideally meet all of the above requirements. But their use is only possible if the girl has one permanent and reliable sexual partner

Traditional contraceptives

So, you have learned about what contraceptives are. However, before summing up, I would like to mention folk contraceptives.

Unfortunately, even in our time, many women rely on traditional methods of contraception. And they completely ignore effective traditional methods of contraception. There are various contraceptives at home:

Douching the vagina with a powerful stream of water immediately after intercourse.
Douching the vagina after sexual intercourse with water in which a certain amount of citric acid has been previously dissolved.
Inserting a piece of lemon into the vagina before sexual intercourse.
Inserting a piece of laundry soap into the vagina before sexual intercourse.

Supporters of traditional methods of contraception argue that a sharp change in the alkaline balance in the vagina leads to the death of sperm and eliminates the possibility of pregnancy. In fact, such folk contraceptives will lead to the occurrence of a disease such as cervical erosion. But preventing pregnancy using folk remedies is impossible.

This article describes all methods and methods of contraception. Any woman who takes a responsible approach to the issue of family planning can give preference to the most effective contraceptives that are suitable specifically for her. However, before making the final choice, it is still better to consult with your gynecologist, who knows about all your diseases and individual characteristics of the body. We sincerely wish that your test will become “striped” only when you really want it!

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