The sound of the sea, sand, sun, drinks with a palm tree – we are only a few weeks away from summer. Surely you’ve already thought about holiday dresses. Have you also wondered what method of contraception you will choose for this sunny time? A condom, a tablet, or maybe a ring? Which method is best for your vacation?
When talking about contraceptive methods, we cannot fail to mention the Pearl index / index, which is used to determine the effectiveness of a given method in its standard use. The lower it is, the more effective a given method of protection against pregnancy is. We invite you to review the most popular contraceptive methods, which will prove themselves especially in the summer months!
Condom
The condom is the most frequently chosen method of contraception. Used alone, however, it does not guarantee that we will not get pregnant, but is the only contraceptive that effectively protects against sexually transmitted diseases. Since a condom is not an effective method of preventing pregnancy, it is worth using it in parallel with, for example, oral tablets. Unfortunately, the Pearl Index for a condom is quite high – it can break, slip off or be damaged during intercourse. The use of condoms can also negatively affect the experience and spontaneity of sexual contact in a relationship.
Pearl Index: 2–15
Oral contraceptive pills
Oral contraceptive pills are the second most popular method of contraception after condoms. These remedies contain either progesterone alone or a combination of estrogens and gestagens. Thanks to this, they can be used by many women, including those who are breastfeeding and those who cannot take estrogens due to comorbidities.
The hormones from the gestagen group are responsible for the main contraceptive effect, which block ovulation, and estrogens are added to better control uterine bleeding and exert the desired estrogenic effect on the body. However, when deciding on this method of contraception, remember to take the tablets regularly every 24 hours so that they do not lose their effectiveness.
Will oral contraceptive pills be a good choice for a vacation? Unfortunately, on vacation it is easier to forget about taking tablets regularly, e.g. by going to bed late, sleeping longer or changing the time zone. In addition, while away, gastric disorders may occur, which often reduce the effectiveness of the therapy.
Pearl index for combined tablets: 0-2,18
Pearl index for progestogenic tablets: 0,14–0,41
Vaginal ring
The vaginal ring is a method of contraception which is becoming more and more popular. It has the form of a soft silicone ring (thanks to which it is completely undetectable when properly placed), which contains a small amount of female sex hormones – progesterone and estrogen. So it releases the same hormones as the contraceptive pill, but in a much smaller amount, directly affecting the woman’s genitals. The disc, compared to a two-component tablet, may have a dose of estrogen lower by up to 50 percent. The application of the ring can be compared to putting on a tampon – it only takes a moment and is completely painless. Its undeniable advantage is that it is put on by a woman by herself once every three weeks. After this time, the disc should be removed and a weekly break for the so-called withdrawal bleeding.
For this reason, a vaginal ring is a very good solution for a vacation, because you only need to remember about it once a month, and not every day, like about oral hormonal contraception. There is also no fear that the puck will not work due to diarrhea or vomiting, as it can happen with tablets. What’s more, the new generation pucks do not have to be stored in the refrigerator, so also for this reason they will be a good companion on holiday trips. Pearl index: 0,31–1,23
Contraceptive patches
Contraceptive patches are another type of two-component hormonal contraception, which, like every method, has many supporters and opponents. Hormones contained in the patch, penetrating the skin, inhibit ovulation, affect the uterine mucosa and change the composition and density of cervical mucus.
The downside for many women is that the body receives higher doses of hormones than in the case of contraceptive pills or vaginal rings, and the risk of the patch loosening at the edges under the influence of water. What’s more, not every woman likes to display them, and in summer it is difficult to hide under a bikini.
Pearl Index: 0,59–1,24
Contraceptive injection
For some women, a contraceptive injection with progestogen, the synthetic equivalent of progesterone, may be a good choice. Like other contraceptives, it inhibits ovulation and thickens cervical mucus. The injection protects against pregnancy for 12 weeks (three months) – so if we want to take them regularly, four injections a year are enough. The downside to the injection is that you cannot stop it from working. If a woman develops any side effects, she will be exposed to them for up to three months. It is also worth bearing in mind that it may take up to 12 months to restore the normal ovulatory cycle after a progestin injection.
Pearl Index: 0,3–1,2
Remember – the choice of contraception should always be made in consultation with your doctor!