1. contraception

2. Contraceptives - The Condom
Choosing the right method of contraception depends on a couples’ religious and personal beliefs. There are many different methods of contraception available, e.g. the condom
A condom is a rubber sheath rolled down over the penis before intercourse.
During intercourse, the condom prevents sperm entering the vagina.

3. Contraceptives - The Condom
After intercourse, the penis has to be withdrawn carefully, and the condom (together with the semen), disposed of in a sensible manner.
Care has to be taken to ensure that the condom is not torn or split, as this may cause the sperm to escape into the vagina, possibly resulting in pregnancy.

4. Contraceptives - The Diaphragm (Cap)
The diaphragm is a rubber cap which is placed inside the vagina, and moved up over the cervix.
The first time a diaphragm is used it should be fitted by a nurse.
The diaphragm must be inserted some time before sexual intercourse, and remain in the vagina for 6 to 8 hours after a man’s last ejaculation.
A diaphragm should be used together with a spermicide, which kills sperm.
Spermicides can be in a gel or cream form. Spermicides can also be used with a condom.

5. Contraceptives - The IUD (Coil)
The Intrauterine device (IUD or coil) sits in the woman’s womb and prevents her from getting pregnant in three main ways...
prevents sperm from getting through to the womb and into the fallopian tubes
alters the secretions (mucus) in the cervix, so creating a further barrier to the sperm
irritates the womb lining - it is unable to ‘accept’ an embryo.

6. Using Sex Hormones as Contraceptives
Oral contraceptives, usually known as ‘the pill’ prevent sperm from fertilising ova, i.e. they prevent conception.
They may contain oestrogen and/or progesterone which prevent conception in several ways:
Oestrogen prevents ovulation by inhibiting the production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) by the pituitary gland. No ova will develop.
Oestrogen causes a sticky substance to block the uterus entrance at the cervix, preventing sperm from entering.
Progesterone makes the uterus lining so thick that an embryo (if conception occurred) cannot implant.

7. Using Sex Hormones as Contraceptives
Oestrogen is so effective at inhibiting the production of FSH and thereby the production of ova that a section through the ovary of a female taking the combined pill reveals only immature follicles.
Ovary
Notice that in this sectional view of an ovary, mature follicles and the corpus luteum are absent – this is enough to act as a contraceptive as ovulation cannot occur.

8. The Pill
There are two main types of contraceptive pill - each is defined by the hormones they contain...
1. Progesterone Only Pill
- contains only progesterone
2. The Combined Pill
contains both oestrogen and progesterone
Both types of pill have to be taken every day.

9. Progesterone Only Pill
The ‘progesterone only’ pill prevents the release of an egg cell, and makes it more difficult for an embryo to be implanted in the womb.
It also alters the cervical mucus so that sperm cannot move easily through it. Both types of pill can have side effects such as feeling sick and gaining weight.
Some reports even suggest that long term use of the contraceptive pill could increase the risk of cervical cancer.

10. The Combined Pill
The ‘combined pill’ contains two hormones (a progestogen and an oestrogen) and prevents ovulation (production of an egg cell).
The combined pill also makes it difficult for the embryo, should one be produced, to be implanted in the womb.

11. Medical Concerns About the Combined Pill
Evidence suggests that the oestrogen levels in the combined pill can interfere with the blood clotting mechanism and increase the risk of thrombosis, heart attacks and strokes.
A blood clot forming inside a capillary – this could lead to major clot (thrombosis)
Therefore, oestrogen levels in the combined pill are kept as low as possible and a different kind of pill, the mini-pill, has been developed.
The mini-pill is a progesterone-only pill that appears to act by interfering with development of the egg cell.

12. The Morning After Pill
The morning after pill is taken after unprotected sexual intercourse has taken place.
The pill has to be taken within 72 hours after intercourse has taken place.
It contains a high dose of progesterone, and prevents an embryo from being implanted.
The initial high level of progesterone in the female body stimulates development of the lining of the womb.
The sudden drop in progesterone in the days after the pill has been taken, prevents implantation of a potential embryo into the lining of the womb.