|
Sexual Health: Contraceptives
Pill-Estrogen/Progesterone
Failure Rate: .5-5%
Advantages: Effectiveness, spontaneity
Disadvantages: Increased risk of stroke, blood clots, uterine & ovarian cancers, no STD protection
Notes: Not recommended for Smokers
Depo-Provera
Failure Rate: 1-7%
Advantages: Convenience - one shot every 3 months, none or shortened menses
Disadvantages: Systemic side effects, no STD protection
Condoms
Failure Rate: 5-20%
Advantages: Inexpensive, Protection from STD, no doctor’s visit
Disadvantages: Failure rate
Withdrawl
Failure Rate: Greater than 20%
Advantages: No cost
Disadvantages: High failure rate, No STD protection
Spermicides
Failure Rate: 6-20%
Advantages: Comfortable, some STD Protection, no systemic effects
Disadvantages: Some local effects on cervix, and surrounding tissue
IUD
Failure Rate: 1-3%
Advantages: Effective, reliable
Disadvantages: May cause spotting, cramping, scarring effect in uterus, may be rejected by body
Notes: Device is inserted by doctor
Diaphragm/Cervical Cap
Failure Rate: 6-20%/10-40%
Advantages: No negative systemic effects on health
Disadvantages: High failure rate
Notes: Should be used with Spermicide
ECP: Emergency Contraceptive Pill
Failure Rate: 1%
Notes: Best taken w/n 12 hours of intercourse—up to 72 hours
NFP: Natural Family Planning
Failure Rate: 10-20%
Advantages: Most natural method, No negative effects on health
Disadvantages: High failure rate, requires cooperation b/n couples and discipline
Notes: Natural Family Planning is done by monitoring the woman’s cycle, so that you can determine what days are No Sex days and Safe days. This requires the female having regular menstrual cycles between 26 and 32 days. To knowing how long your menstrual cycle is, count from the first day of your period to the day before the next. That’s how long your cycle is. Sometimes this cycle is shorter and sometimes it’s longer, this depends on the woman’s health.
The counting of the days begin with the onset of menses.
&nbps; * Days 1-7 of Cycle: Safe days
&nbps; * Days 8-19 of Cycle: NO SEX
&nbps; * Days 20-Period: Safe days
With shorter or longer menstrual cycles, the cycle days will not be effective but monitoring the female’s temperature and discharge is heavily relied on to determine the woman’s ovulation time. A woman’s ovulation time is her most fertile period. During ovulation the female’s temperature rises 2-3 degrees and the discharge changes from white and thick to clear (like egg white).
Disclaimer: This site and its services are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional advice, examination, diagnosis or treatment. See full disclaimer.
|
