How to shop for a contraceptive method
CHOOSING a contraceptive method is pretty much like shopping. How? Think about it. You see an outfit and you ask yourself — will it serve the purpose (appropriateness) for which I need it? Is it durable or will I be back to change it? How much will this one cost? If I need more, will I be able to get them rather easily? Will it flatter me? Was it well made? Will I have to contend with too many zippers, snaps, buttons or hooks — worse when I’m in a hurry? Can I be bothered with having to make any alterations so that it is the right fit for me?
Step out of the clothing store and make a quick stop at our health provider’s office. You want to start a contraceptive method but there are so many from which to choose that you are confused. To keep you on track, always carry a shopping list. Your ‘shopping list’ along with your health provider will help guide you as to what you’ll take home. Questions on your ‘list’ that you will ask yourself include, How effective is it? Does it offer me protection against STIs? How much will it cost? Will I be able to get it readily when I need it? Is it safe?Is it easy to use? Does it fit into my lifestyle?
The selection of contraceptive methods is pretty wide as there are barrier, hormonal, permanent methods, intrauterine devices, fertility awareness methods, withdrawal and, the emergency contraception. Like department stores there are headings that help to make the shopping experience simpler. To give you an idea of what is available it just means looking under the headings.
Barrier:
Condoms (male/female), diaphragms, cervical caps, sponge, dental dam.
Spermicides:
Foams, gels, creams, films and tablets.
Hormonals:
Pills, injectables (Depo Provera injection), implants (Jadelle, Norplant), copper-bearing intrauterine devices (Mirena, intrauterine system), the contraceptive patch and the vaginal ring.
Permanent methods:
Male sterilisation (vasectomy) and female sterilisation (tubal ligation).
Fertility awareness methods:
Calendar-based and symptoms-based method (basal body temperature, ovulation method, symptothermal method, withdrawal and lactational amenorrhoea methods.
This one or that one?
How the different types work is important in determining the efficacy or effectiveness of the method in pregnancy or sexually transmitted infection prevention. The male and female condoms qualify for both forms of protection. Condoms form a protective sheath or covering over the penis (male condoms) or inside the vagina (female condoms), preventing semen from being ejaculated into the vagina. Spermicides, coupled with condoms, increase your protection by killing sperm that are deposited in the vagina before they can enter the uterus, should there be spillage of semen. The commonality of the hormonal methods is that they thicken the mucus of the cervix making it difficult for sperm to pass through the canal or prevent the ovaries from releasing eggs. The option of a permanent method requires the severing of the ducts or tubes preventing the egg from meeting sperm. Copper on the IUDs cause a chemical change that damages the sperm and eggs before they can meet. The emergency contraceptive pill prevents or delays the release of eggs from the ovaries. Withdrawal requires the male to remove his penis from the vagina before he ejaculates, requiring self-control and excellent timing. Lactational amenorrhoea (full breastfeeding with conditionalities), a natural family planning method, suppresses ovulation.
Is it to your liking?
Just like you have tags informing you that this garment is 100 per cent cotton, another 98 per cent polyester, so too the methods, but the information refers to their effectiveness if used correctly and consistently. They rank as:
Pills — 99 per cent
Injectables — 99 per cent
Tubal ligation — 99 per cent
Implants — 99 per cent
IUD — 99 per cent
Lactational amenorrhoea — 99 per cent
Emergency contraception — 99 per cent
Vasectomy — 99.8 per cent
Male condoms — 98 per cent
Withdrawal — 96 per cent
Female condoms — 95 per cent
Spermicides — 82 per cent
In determining which one is right for you, ask yourself, will you be able to use it correctly and consistently to ensure you get maximum benefits of the method? Can you deal with a method that relies on self application, daily use, and which may have minor side effects?
A method such as the vaginal ring is relatively new and its effectiveness still has to be established.
The guarantee that the methods offered are in fact safe for you as an individual is where the health provider helps you decide on the best fit. Rest assured that the World Health Organisation has set criteria for use or non-use of the various methods taking into consideration the mild to serious health conditions that may exist in some women.
Now follow your inner voice and get yourself that contraceptive method you’ve been contemplating for a while. The guarantee — no regrets.
