Contraception

Types of contraceptives: There are various types of contraceptives including condoms, birth control pills, intrauterine devices (IUDs), and barrier methods such as diaphragms and cervical caps. It is important to understand the different types and their effectiveness.

Hormonal contraceptives: Hormonal contraceptives are medications that contain artificial hormones to prevent pregnancy. Understanding how they work, their benefits, and potential side effects are important.

Natural family planning: Natural family planning involves tracking menstrual cycles and abstaining from sex during the fertile period. It is important to understand its effectiveness and potential challenges.

Emergency contraception: Emergency contraception (also known as the "morning-after pill") is used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. It is important to understand how it works and when it should be used.

STI prevention: Contraception should always be used in conjunction with STI prevention methods such as condoms to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections.

Contraceptive counseling: Understanding the importance of seeking guidance from healthcare providers or educators as a starting point to choosing the right contraceptive method.

Fertility awareness: An individual's fertility varies throughout their menstrual cycle, and learning the patterns and timing of these changes is beneficial for choosing the right contraceptive.

The impact of cultural or religious beliefs on contraception: The topic of contraception is often affected by cultural or religious norms, and it is important to understand how these beliefs can influence decision-making.

Pregnancy planning: Understanding the role of contraceptives as a tool for family planning and how it helps couples plan when to start or expand their family.

Reproductive health: It is important to understand how contraception affects one's overall reproductive health and wellness, including the potential benefits and adverse side effects.

Barrier methods: This includes contraceptives like male and female condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps, and contraceptive sponges. These methods work by blocking sperm from reaching the cervix and fertilizing an egg.

Hormonal methods: This includes contraceptives like birth control pills, patches, injections, and vaginal rings which use hormones to prevent ovulation and change the cervical mucus to prevent fertilization.

Intrauterine devices (IUDs): This refers to small, T-shaped devices that are inserted into the uterus to prevent sperm from fertilizing an egg.

Sterilization: This can be done through surgical methods like tubal ligation (for women) or vasectomy (for men) that permanently prevent pregnancy.

Natural family planning: Also known as fertility awareness or periodic abstinence, this method involves tracking ovulation cycles and avoiding sex during fertile days.

Emergency contraception: Also known as the morning after pill, this involves taking medication to prevent an unplanned pregnancy after unprotected sex.

Withdrawal method: This is when the man withdraws his penis before ejaculation to prevent sperm from entering the woman's body.

Cervical mucus method: This involves monitoring your cervical mucus to determine your fertility cycle, and avoiding sex during fertile periods.

Fertility awareness method: This involves tracking your basal body temperature and other signs of ovulation to determine fertile days.

Lactational amenorrhea method: This involves breastfeeding as a means of contraception when done exclusively and frequently, for the first six months postpartum.