On average,4 out of 10 people will engage in sexual activities today. Out of the four, only two will use protection. Out of these two, there is a 7.3% chance that the condom might break. All this has necessitated the use of contraception. Contraception is the intentional use of artificial methods or techniques to prevent unwanted pregnancy as a consequence of sexual intercourse.

There are six main effective methods of contraception which can be used by anyone regardless of age.

1. Barrier methods
   This involves the correct use of male condoms, female condoms, and dental dams. For this method of contraception to be effective, condoms and dental dams should be used correctly and whenever having sex. Correct use can reduce though not eliminate the risk of STDs including HIV and viral hepatitis.
   
   What do you do in case the condom bursts?
   If you notice that the condom has broken, you should stop immediately. If it breaks before ejaculation, discard the broken condom and use a new one. However, if it breaks after ejaculation, you should use emergency contraceptives (i.e P2) to prevent pregnancy and you should consider testing for STIs if both you and your partner are unfamiliar with your status.
2. Emergency contraception
   This involves the use of emergency pills such as postinor 2 (P2) or the insertion of an intrauterine copper device. The P2 pills should be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex. More details on P2 are discussed here.
3. Hormonal contraception
   This method consists of contraceptive pills and patches with the pills being more common. They contain small amounts of man-made female hormones such as estrogen and progestin which work to inhibit ovulation(release of the egg) therefore preventing pregnancy.
   Common side effects include; weight gain, headaches, sore breasts, irregular periods, decreased sexual desires.
   What do you if you miss taking the contraceptive pill? Take it as soon as you remember even if it means taking two pills in a day and then continue with your normal schedule.
   
4. Long-acting reversible contraceptives
   These methods include injections, intrauterine devices, and implants. Their effects range from 3-10 years. Their greatest advantage is that there is no need to take pills daily and this eliminates the risk of missing and skipping some pills. They are reversible meaning that their effects wear off the moment they are removed from the body.
   The implant is the size of a matchstick placed below the skin on the upper arm and releases hormones.
5. Permanent contraception.
   These are irreversible methods that involve tying the reproductive tubes. In women, the fallopian tubes which transport the egg to the uterus are tied and cut and that is referred to as tubal ligation.
   In men, the vasa deferentia, the tubes that carry the sperms are tied, cut off, or sealed.
6. Fertility awareness
   This method involves learning the signs of fertility in the menstrual cycle to avoid pregnancy. It involves knowing the safe and unsafe days and abstaining from unprotected sex in the unsafe days.

GLOSSARY

Most contraception methods are steered towards use by women because the menstrual cycle is well understood and easier to manipulate. However, that doesn’t not imply that contraception is solely the responsibility of the woman. Men as well should play a part in preventing pregnacy by using barrier methods (condom) or vasectomy.
A hormonal male contraceptive pill is being developed to controll the production of sperms but none is available in the market yet.

Hello 😆😄
You must have felt like you were in a biology class😅 but I hope you learnt a thing or two…
Contraception is a wide topic which can’t be fully covered in one blog post but the above method⁰ s are the main ones 😉😉. Read the previous blog on P2 pills here.

Should we talk about safe and unsafe days next week?
Yaaaay or Naaaaah…..leave a comment

Yours truly
^Faith❤