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Currently, if you want to protect yourself against an unwanted pregnancy, you can choose the most convenient and suitable method of contraception. Of the many methods of contraception available on the market, condoms and the contraceptive pill for women are still the most popular, but there are many more options for avoiding an unplanned pregnancy.
Contraception methods they are divided into natural, hormonal, mechanical and chemical. The effectiveness of a given method depends on the age of the user, health condition and compliance with the recommendations for use. Choosing a method of contraception sometimes it is also dependent on individual beliefs and professed faith.
Contraception effectiveness is represented by Pearl indexa, i.e. the pregnancy protection percentage scale from 1 to 100, where 100 is the most likely result, and 1 the least – i.e. the lower Pearl index, the more effective the method is.
Chemical methods of contraceptionspermicidal gels and creams such as vaginal gels and creams paralyze sperm and thicken the cervical mucus produced by the uterus to make it difficult for sperm to reach the eggs. Chemical contraceptiona has a Pearl Index of 6-26, also not very high in terms of pregnancy prevention effectiveness. These methods can be used in addition to the use of birth control pills or barrier methods.
Mechanical methods of contraception – intrauterine coil, condoms or cervical caps – have high contraceptive effectiveness, depending on the type of method 0,2-25. Mechanical methods do not affect the endocrine system, they only block sperm access to the eggs by means of mechanical, physical barriers.
Hormonal contraception is the most effective method of pregnancy prevention (Pearl Index 0,01-0,54). Hormonal contraception regulates the hormonal balance in the woman’s body in such a way that pregnancy is impossible for physiological reasons. The hormones in contraceptive preparations are effective in preventing ovulation and blocking the maturation of the uterine mucosa, preventing a fertilized egg from implanting.
Remember to do a genetic test before starting hormonal contraception. Aware woman before contraception. Thanks to it, the doctor will be able to choose the best type of contraception for you.
Apart from the most popular contraceptive pills, there are others hormonal contraceptive methods, among others contraceptive injection.
Contraceptive injection is a method of contraception suitable for women who forget to take contraceptive pills regularly, or who are unable to take them for health reasons, and who would like to be sure of protection against pregnancy thanks to the preparation adapted to them.
In Poland contraceptive injection It is available in the form of a preparation called Depo-Provera and works by inducing a hormonal state that corresponds to that in which the body is pregnant and during breastfeeding. Shot contains progestogen – a hormone that inhibits ovulation and thickens the mucus in the cervix.
Contraceptive injection it is given once every three months. The price of one injection is about PLN 40. Pearl Index for injection contraceptive is 0,2-0,5, which means that this method is very effective.
Action contraceptive injection begins immediately after administration of the preparation. In the event of side effectsthis is correspondingly slower than with other methods of contraception because this method of contraception works for a long time. After weaned contraceptive injections getting pregnant is possible only ten months after the last dose of the preparation.
There is also a risk of weight gain by several kilograms with prolonged use contraceptive injection. There is also the possibility of an appearance side effectssuch as nausea, headache, acne, mood swings, anxiety, decreased sex drive, breast tenderness, vaginal dryness, hair loss, weight fluctuations.
Advantage contraceptive injection is its effectiveness and the fact that you don’t have to remember about it more than once every three months. Shot it also reduces the symptoms of PMS.
Contraceptive injection has a few contraindications. It is not recommended for people suffering from cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and with a tendency to blood clots.
Please note that condoms is the only method of contraception to prevent sexually transmitted diseases and HIV infection.