NOTES – UNIT 11 part 4: Birth Control

BIRTH CONTROL: Only 100% effective method to prevent an unplanned pregnancy or STD or HIV infection is ABSTINENCE!!!!!!

BIRTH CONTROL: Methods of Contraception: COITUS INTERRUPTUS: withdrawal of penis before ejaculation RHYTHM METHOD: requires abstinence from sexual intercourse a few days before/after ovulation             

3) MECHANICAL BARRIERS: -Condom (male, female) -Diaphragm -Cervical cap

4) CHEMICAL BARRIERS: -Creams, foams, jellies with spermicide -Easy to use, but high failure rate unless used with a condom or diaphragm

5) COMBINED HORMONE CONTRACEPTIVES: -Introduce synthetic estrogen &/or progesterone- to disrupt the ovarian cycle and prevent ovulation *Oral contraceptive (“the pill”- daily) *Small, flexible chemical ring (1/month) *Transdermal patch (1/week) *Injection (once every 3 months) *Nexplanon (Implanon) (3 years)

6) INTRAUTERINE DEVICE (IUD): -Small, solid object placed within the uterus -harms sperm, thickens cervical mucus & prevents implantation of blastocyst

Statistics With consistent and correct use the failure rates for birth control methods are: male condoms - 3% - the pill – 0.1% the diaphragm - 6% - withdrawal – 4% With “typical use” (FDA defines as not always using the method correctly, not using the method every time, forgetting to take the pill, or using the method correctly but having it fail) the failure rate is: male condoms -14% - the pill - 5% the diaphragm - 20% - withdrawal -19%

7) SURGERY (most effective but permanent): -In males: VASECTOMY -In females: TUBAL LIGATION

trialed in rabbits and now with the success of the trial on rhesus monkeys; reversible

Emergency Contraception Plan B – Works similar to birth control pills to prevent pregnancy (up to 89%) if a contraceptive method has failed or from unprotected sex 2 pills are taken that give high levels of progesterone which can Prevent ovulation Prevent a sperm from fertilizing an egg Prevent implantation of a fertilized egg

Should be taken up to 72 hours after intercourse Plan B can not end a pregnancy if implantation has occurred Plan B is now available over the counter if you are of “child bearing age” (as of 2013)