by: Mariana Muñoz and Juan Bernardo Zafra

 What is a contraceptive  Birth control?  Contraceptive methods  Traditional birth control methods  Modern contraceptive methods

 Emergency contraception  Intrauterine device  Male contraceptive  10 birth control myths  Male vs female condoms  Where to get a contraceptive

 Contraception is the use various devices, drugs, agents, sexual practices, or surgical procedures to prevent pregnancy. Contraception helps women plan if and when they want to have a baby. The condom is the only current contraception device that helps protect sexual partners from STIs.

 Birth control involves one or more actions, devices, sexual practices or medications to prevent or reduce the probability of pregnancy or childbirth. The three main ways of birth control are: contraception (the prevention of fertilization of the ovum by sperm cells), contragestion (preventing the fertilized egg from implantation - morning-after-pill), and the chemical or surgical induction of abortion of the developing embryo/fetus.

 caps  combined pill  condoms (female)  condoms (male)  contraceptive implant  contraceptive injection  contraceptive patch  diaphragms  intrauterine device (IUD)  intrauterine system (IUS)  natural family planning  progestogen-only pill  vaginal ring  There are two permanent methods of contraception:  female sterilisation  male sterilisation (vasectomy)

 Celibacy or sexual abstinence - this means avoiding penis-in-vagina intercourse to prevent pregnancy.  Withdrawal (coitus interruptus) - when the man is about to have an orgasm he pulls his penis out of the vagina. The ejaculation occurs outside of the vagina. According to some organizations this method is about 90% effective if used correctly. But about one third of couples who use this method will experience an accidental pregnancy within twelve months.

 Male condom – is a barrier which prevents pregnancy by stopping sperm from entering the vagina. It should be placed over the penis before sexual intercourse. They are made of polyurethane or latex. As well as preventing pregnancy, they also protect sexual partners from (STIs).  Female condom - made of polyurethane. The female condom has a flexible ring at each end - one secures behind the pubic bone to hold the condom in place, while the other ring stays outside the vagina.

 Spermicides - may be placed in the vagina before intercourse and create a chemical barrier. Spermicides may be used alone, or in combination with a physical barrier.  Contraceptive sponge - The contraceptive sponge has a depression to hold it in place over the cervix. Foam is placed into the vagina using an applicator. As well as having a spermicidal which destroys the male sperm, the sponge also acts as a barrier which stops the sperm from reaching the egg.

 Diaphragm – goes behind the woman's pubic bone and has a firm but flexible ring, which helps it press against the vaginal walls. It is a rubber dome-shaped device which is placed over the cervix.  Cervical cap - fits over the cervix and blocks sperm from entering the uterus. The cervical cap is a latex rubber barrier device. A spermicide should fill about 1/3 of the cap. The cap should then be carefully positioned in the vagina, covering the cervix. The cap stays in place by suction.

 The Lea contraceptive - is a soft pliable cup- shaped bowl with a loop. It is inserted into the vagina before intercourse and prevents sperm from entering the cervix. To be effective it must be used with a spermicide and left in place for 8 hours.  The Pill - combined contraceptive pills have two hormones - an estrogen and progestin. They stop the release of the egg (ovulation), and also make the lining of the uterus thinner. When used correctly about 3 in every 1,000 women will have accidental pregnancy.

 Contraceptive patch – a patch sticked to the skin. It releases synthetic estrogen and progestin hormones. They have been shown to be as effective as the combined oral contraceptive pill. The "Patch" is worn each week for 3 consecutive weeks, generally on the lower abdomen or buttocks. The fourth week is patch-free.  Contraceptive vaginal ring (NuvaRing) - It is a flexible plastic ring that releases a low dose of a progestin and an estrogen over 3 weeks. The woman inserts the NuvaRing into the vagina for a 3-week period, and then removes it for one week, during which she will have menstrual period.

 Contraceptive injection - is a progestin-only long acting reversible hormonal contraceptive which is injected every 3 months. It stops the woman from releasing an egg and provides other contraceptive effects.  Implants – Implanon is a rod with a core of progestin (etonogestrel). It is inserted under the skin of the upper arm of a woman. The progestin is released slowly. The implant is effective for 3 years.

This refers to contraceptive measures that, if taken after sex, may prevent pregnancy. They include:  Emergency contraceptive pills - They are drugs that prevent ovulation or fertilization and possible post-fertilization implantation of an embryo. Emergency contraceptive pills are different from medical abortion methods that act after implantation (when the fertilized egg is implanted in the womb).

 A small, flexible T-shaped device that is placed in the uterus by a physician. IUDs are currently used by about 160 million women, most of them in China. It stays in place the entire time pregnancy is not desired. An IUD can last from 5 to 10 years.  Tubal ligation - a permanent form of female sterilization. The fallopian tubes are severed and sealed in order to prevent fertilization.

 Male contraceptive pill - they are not currently on the market, although they are in different stages of research and development.  Vasectomy - a surgical procedure designed to make a man sterile. The right and left tubes through which sperm pass into the ejaculate, are cut or blocked. Although a vasectomy is sometimes reversible (vasovasostomy) the likelihood of an abundance of abnormal sperm is higher, resulting in lower fertility. Men who have undergone vasectomy reversal may lead to a higher rate of birth defects.

 1. Douching with any substance after intercourse does not work as a contraceptive and doesn’t prevent pregnancy.  2. It is not true that a female cannot become pregnant after her first sexual intercourse.  3. It is not true that a woman cannot get pregnant during her menstrual period. It is true that a woman is usually less fertile for the first few days of menstruation - but less fertile does not mean not infertile.  4. Sexual intercourse in a hot tub or swimming pool does not prevent pregnancy.  5. There is no sexual position that prevents pregnancy. Some sexual positions may encourage pregnancy. Having sex standing up or with the female on top does not prevent pregnancy.  6. Urinating after sexual intercourse does not prevent pregnancy.   7. Toothpaste does not prevent pregnancy and should never be used as a contraceptive.   8. It is not true that if the man does not ejaculate the woman cannot get pregnant. There is a risk of pregnancy as soon as vaginal penetration by the penis occurs.   9. Breastfeeding is not a 100% sure way of not getting pregnant. It is true that breastfeeding significantly reduces the chance of becoming pregnant.   10. If the woman does not have an orgasm it does not mean at all that she cannot get pregnant. The risk of becoming pregnant is there as soon as vaginal penetration by the penis occurs.

 At any hospital.  In your closest drugstore.  With your gynecologist.  At any market or store.