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Consciously approaching the topic of sex and wanting to enjoy it without worrying about an unwanted and unplanned pregnancy, we use contraception. There are many methods available on the market to prevent conception. Contraception methods differ in their effectiveness, as measured by the Pearl Index.
Pearl Index it’s compiled by Raymond Pearl, an American biologist at the University of Michigan, a method of estimating the risk of getting pregnant when using a given contraceptive. Pearl Index is an equation for calculating the effectiveness of specific methods of pregnancy prevention, based on the number of pregnancies in women tested in 1932 by Raymond Pearl couples who have had regular intercourse using different methods of contraception with their partners.
Pearl Index, also referred to as Pearl coefficient and Pearl index, determines the effectiveness of certain contraceptives, and thus helps us choose the right method of preventing unwanted pregnancy.
How is the Pearl Index calculated?
Pearla Index it is calculated by multiplying by 1200 the ratio of unplanned pregnancies to the number of monthly cycles, which in practice means the number of unplanned pregnancies during the use of a given method of contraception during a year by a group of one hundred women. For example Pearl index equal to 7 means that seven out of a hundred examined women became pregnant while using a specific method of contraception for a period of one year, with regular intercourse. Likewise, no contraceptive use is expected Pearl index 80-90, this means that in a statistical group of one hundred women, 80-90 of them may become pregnant.
The most effective methods of contraception are classified as having an index of 2. The methods are moderately effective Pearl index from 2 to 5. Contraception methods considered ineffective are determined Pearl Index over 5
Currently, contraceptive effectiveness is formally defined rather as a percentage, but an indication Pearl Index they are still reliable and show the differences between the various methods of preventing unwanted pregnancies.
The effectiveness of contraception, especially hormonal contraception, depends in practice on many factors, such as regular use of certain agents, and in the case of condoms or vaginal caps, the effectiveness of a particular method is also influenced by physical factors, such as the quality of the agents – expiry date, intact structure and their correct assumption.
Pearl Index of different methods of contraception
Different methods of contraception show different values Pearl Index. For example: monophasic contraceptive pills have Pearl index equal to 0,2-0,5, they are therefore a highly effective contraceptive. The vaginal ring shows Pearl index 0,65. Two-phase contraceptive pills have Pearl index 0,7, the contraceptive patch: 0,9, and the IUD, i.e. the spiral: 1-3. Pearl Index for condoms, it is 3-7, spermicides such as special gels and vaginal globules have Pearl index 8-36. Large value discrepancy Pearl Index in the case of high methods Pearl Index, i.e. the low effectiveness of a given method, depends on the day of the monthly cycle in which intercourse takes place, the fertility of partners and many other factors. The higher Pearl index, the more risky the method is. Accordingly, intermittent intercourse, having Pearl index 10-35 is not an effective method of preventing pregnancy, value Pearl Index in its case, it means that 10 to 35 women out of 100 using this type of intercourse have a chance of becoming pregnant.
Interestingly, high efficiency according to Pearl Index (low value Pearl Index – 0,5) have Lady Comp, Baby Comp and similar computers, which are diagnostic devices used to study the course of the menstrual cycle and determine fertile days. This method should not be confused with a marriage calendar – estimating your fertile days is not as effective. Lady Comp-style devices determine the day of the cycle and the chances of pregnancy by measuring the body temperature of women who use them. This method of determining fertility on a given day can be an effective solution for people who do not want to use hormonal or chemical contraception for reasons of health or religious beliefs.
To increase the effectiveness of contraception, we can of course combine several methods of contraception, for example, use vaginal globules in addition to condoms or contraceptive pills, or use condoms despite the use of hormonal pills. Condoms, in addition to pregnancy, also protect against sexually transmitted diseases and against HIV infection and hepatitis B and C, so they are recommended during contacts with newly met sexual partners and during anal intercourse. It is worth getting tested for HIV and jaundice at least once in your life. Conscious health care also means performing tests and being aware of the risks associated with sexual contacts and medical procedures.