SCIENCE OF CONTRACEPTION

 

          

         THE SCIENCE  Of CONTRACEPTION AND 

                                    BIRTH CONTROL

The growing population is destroying the environment by pollution. Further, it increases the need for natural resources and makes their value increase. This makes the nations poor. The graph between changes in population with the time is a “J"-shaped one. This reveals that the population is increasing yearly. The total human population of the world was doubled once. Now they hope that it will never be doubled again because of the contraceptive and birth control methods. 

Contraception is the prevention of conception. That prevents the fusion of the male with the female gamete (fertilization)

Birth control: This includes contraception, but it also includes any measures taken after fertilization that are designed to prevent birth.

Methods of contraception:

• Barrier method
• Hormonal methods
• Preventing implantation
• Natural methods
• Sterilization
• Termination

Barrier method: Block sperm from reaching the egg, either physically or chemically.

Physical methods: These are methods that use physical devices to prevent the fusion or implantation. Some of these devices are condoms, femidom, cap/diaphragm, and intrauterine devices.

Condom: A thin, strong rubber sheath, placed over the erect penis just before sexual intercourse. This prevents sperm from entering the vagina. The failure rate will be 3% in experience use.

Advantages: No medical advice needed, cheap, easy to obtain, and convenient to use. This gives some protection against sexually transmitted diseases.

Disadvantage: Relies on males. Sometimes it can burst. Some develop allergic reactions to rubber.

Femidom: Similar to a condom. Used by females. This is a thin rubber or polyurethane tube with a closed-end which fits inside the vagina. Open-end stays at the opening of the vagina, flat against the vulva. Insertion should be done before intercourse, and removal can be done at any time after intercourse.

When using condoms, please be careful about following things

• When buying, look for the expiration date and good condition of the sheath
• Store them in a dry place 
• Should wear throughout the process of intercourse.
• Destroying can be done by burying, burning, or putting into a latrine.

Cap/diaphragm: This is a flexible rubber dome that fits over the cervix and prevents the entry of sperm into the uterus. This is used with spermicidal (a chemical that kills sperm) cream. But this method is not in use in Sri- Lanka

Chemical barriers: these are not in use in Sri Lanka.

Hormonal method: These are very common in Sri Lanka, and all methods are used for females. As hormones, estrogen, and progesterone are used, and these are female sex hormones. These hormones are synthesized in laboratories for this purpose and prevent the development of eggs and ovulation. 

  Birth control Pill: Contains the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone (the synthetic form is progestin) this prevents the development of eggs and ovulation. This is a very reliable method in family planning.

The first pill should be taken within the first 3 days of menstruation. From that instance, one pill should be taken daily for 28 days.

Depo-Provera injection: This is an injection with synthetic hormone progesterone. It should be injected into the muscles of a woman’s arm by a doctor or a nurse. It gives protection for 12 weeks. The first injection should be obtained on the first day after the menstruation. This required regular visits to the clinic.

Preventing implantation: IUD small device made of copper plastic or stainless steel. After menstruation, this should be inserted into the uterus by a doctor and left in place. Prevent implantation. Can remove again if want to have a child.

Natural methods:

There are 4 natural methods.

1. Coitus interruption.

2. Calendar method

3. Basal temperature method.

4. Billing method.

1. Coitus interruption: Penis is withdrawn from the vagina before ejaculation. This is required much self-discipline. The failure rate is 20%.

Disadvantages: Sometimes the liquid secreted before ejaculation may contain sperm. This method may interrupt sexual pleasure.

The other 3 methods are based on the following assumptions:

·         The maximum lifetime of an ovum is 48 hours.

·         The maximum lifetime of sperm is 72 hrs.

·    The period between menstruation and ovulation is constant and ovulation occurs 12-16 days before the next menstruation.

According to these assumptions, she can find her fertility period and can avoid sexual intercourse on these days. How to find a fertile period? To find the fertile period, one can use the following methods:.

2. Calendar charting method: Women use past menstrual cycles as a guide to predict ovulation date. Over 8–12 months, she has to keep a record of the dates of her first day of menstruation. Using these records, she can calculate the number of days between every two cycles. From there she can calculate the average number of days in her menstrual cycle. Then she can estimate the day in her cycle when she is most likely to ovulate

3. Measuring body temperature (basal temperature method): Normally basal body temperature (our body temperature when we are at rest) decreases slightly just before ovulation, and on the day of ovulation it rises about one 1˚ and stays raised for several days. With this method, a woman has to measure her body temperature from the first day after menstruation for three months and should keep records. The temperature should be measured every morning before getting out of bed. After studying these records, she can determine the time in her cycle when she ovulates and can avoid sexual intercourse for 3 or 4 days before and after the ovulation. 

4. Billing method (cervical mucus method)

A woman requires monitoring of the consistency of the cervical mucus. Cervical mucus is sticky, wet, clear, and elastic when preceding ovulation. This secretion can be stretched like a thread using fingertips. A woman has to avoid sexual intercourse when the consistency of the secretions is like this. When it is dry, cloudy, and yellowish, it indicates that ovulation is not occurring.

All the above methods are temporary birth control methods. These are suitable for couples who are married early and if they want to delay their first baby’s birth. Further, if parents want to keep a gap between their children.

Permanent methods

Vasectomy: A surgical procedure to permanently block a male’s vas deferent (sperm duct) to prevent sperm from reaching eggs. This is irreversible. So it is suitable for males who have enough children.

Tubectomy: In this method, Fallopian tubes are permanently blocked and prevent the path of the ovum to the uterus. This should be done after one week from the menstruation.