Summary Chap.5 Par.

8
Birth control preventing pregnancy from happening.
There are many different methods of birth control. Alle these methods are called
contraceptive methods.
Combination methods These methods contain two hormones, oestrogen and
progestogen. They get into the bloodstream and:

 Prevent ovulation.
 Make the mucus of the cervix less receptive to sperm cells.
 Change the uterus lining so that implantation cannot occur.
There are different types of combination methods( Contraceptive pill, the NuvaRing and the
hormone patcher)
Contraceptive pill

 Available in strip of 21 small pills.

 One pill every for 3 weeks.
 In the week after the 21 days there will take menstruation place, following
which you start a new strip of pills.
The NuvaRing

 Flexible ring that contains hormones

 Inserted in the vagina
 Used for 3 weeks, in the fourth week menstruation takes place. After this you use a
new ring.
The hormone patch

 Thin flexible patch worn on the skin.

 You needs to use a new patch very week for 3 weeks long.
 In week 4 menstruation takes place and the cycle repeats.

Advantages and disadvantages of the combination methods

Advantages
Reliable protection if used against
pregnancy if used correctly
Make menstrual flow lighter, which reduces
menstrual cramps
Reduce pre-menstrual problems such as
painful breasts and mood swings
Some pills reduce acne
Disadvantages
No protection against sexually transmitted
infections
In the first few months your body has to get
used to the hormones. This causes light
headaches, mood swings and sometimes
painful breasts
Progestogen methods In these methods the hormonal implant and the hormonal
Intra-Uterine Device(IUD) only contain the hormone progestogen. Most of the methods:

 Prevent ovulation.
 Make the mucus if the cervix less receptive to sperm cells.
 Change the uterus lining so that impanation cannot occur.
There are different types of Progestogen methods (Injection pill and the mini pill)
Injection pill

 Syringe containing progestogen

 Injected into the buttocks once every 10-12 weeks
Mini pill

 Ingest pill without break so also during menstruation

 Consists of a small rod about size of match stick, made of plastic
 First you get local anaesthesia and then the rod is implanted under your skin of your
upper arm using a needle.
 The implant remains effective for 2-3 years.
Intra-Uterine Device(IUD)

 Inserted into the uterus by means of a thin tube.

 Ovulation can sometimes still occur, but implantation becomes imposssible
 You can still menstruate
 IUD can remain up to 5 years in the uterus

Advantagesand disadvantages of the combination

Advantages Disadvantages
methods
You don’t have to remember to take No protection against sexually transmitted
something in regularly infections
After the hormonal implant and the IUD are In the first few months your body has to get
removed you can get immediately used to the hormones. This causes light
pregnant, because the hormone doesn’t headaches, mood swings and sometimes
have to be filtered out of the blood stream painful breasts
for a long time
The IUD may make the menstrual flow
heavier and in the first few months it may
cause cramps.
Barrier methods Temporary methods that prevent the sperm cells from entering the
uterus.
There are different types of Barrier methods (the male condom, the female condom and the
diaphragm)
Male condom
 Thin rubber or plastic tube
 Can only be used once
 Prevents sperm cells from entering the uterus
 Gives protection against sexually transmitted infections
 It can tear
Female condom

 Basically a male condom with a ring on either side.

 Is inserted into the vagina, before the penis goes.
 It can tear
Diaphragm

 Looks like a small, bendable dome or cap with a ring at its edge.
 Every women got their own size.
 Inserted into the vagina against the cervix, after being covered in a substance that
kills sperm cells.
 After sexual intercourse it needs to stay in for 8 hours to make sure no sperm cells
are still alive
 After this time it is removed, and washed. It can be used again.
 It can tear, and doesn’t protect against sexually transmitted infections

Permanent contraceptive methods When the oviduct is closed off, egg cells can’t be
fertilised. This happens through cutting or sewing together the oviducts(Sterilisation). When
the vas deferens are closed off in a vasectomy sperm cells can no longer get into the semen.
Causing a ejaculation without sperm cells.
Other methods
Coitus interrupts Removing penis before ejaculation, very unreliable there could be
sperm leaking before ejaculation.
Rhythm method Marks the days of a woman’s menstrual cycle on a calendar. Used
to guess the fertile days.