The Whole Story About Contraception

Mrs. Mehta looked stressed out as she entered Dr. Bindra’s cabin. Her pregnancy test had come out positive.

Guilt racked her mind—she wasn’t prepared for this! After all, she had delivered a baby only 8 months back.

If only she had used some kind of contraception. But it was too late. She now had to face the consequences.

Why Get Protection

Contraception has many advantages. Not only does it helps in spacing and family planning, but contraception also prevents maternal morbidity resulting from unwanted abortions for unwanted pregnancies.

By using contraceptive methods, new mothers can have sufficient time to replenish their stores of iron and calcium. This ensures that these women will be ready to bear another healthy pregnancy after a gap of two to three years.

Myths are associated with almost all types of contraceptive methods. That’s why it’s always better to discuss your options with your gynecologist and choose one that best suits your needs.

Plenty To Choose From

Barrier contraceptives known as condoms are available for men. If used regularly and consistently, condoms are quite efficient and have very few failure rates.

Women can choose from a wide range of contraceptives. There’s something known as the Cafeteria Approach, where all types of contraceptives are offered to women. Here, each lady has the right to make an informed decision and choose the contraceptive that fulfills all her needs.

The most popular women’s contraceptive is the oral contraceptive pill or OCP. Strong myths are associated with OCPs. Some feel that OCPs can lead to weight gain, but this is just a false assumption with no scientific evidence.

Women can also choose from different combinations of pills as well as low-dose pills with little to no side effects. The POP (progestogen only pill) is another type of pill that can be used immediately post-partum without affecting milk production. 

Keep Your Hormones In Check With These

Hormonal contraception is available in the form of a vaginal ring with similar efficacy and mechanism of action. 

Another hormonal contraceptive is the Emergency Contraceptive Pill. This is the most misused contraceptive and should be avoided as far as possible. It should strictly be used for emergency situations such as failure of other contraceptives, slippage or leakage of a condom, and exceptional conditions such as rape, etc.

Among other methods are intrauterine devices such as Copper-T and Mirena. They’re also known as Long-Term Reversible Contraceptives as fertility returns after their removal.

Other contraception methods include injectable contraceptives, female condoms, diaphragms and cervical caps.

Looking For A Permanent Solution?

When it comes to permanent methods, women can opt for tubectomies while men can choose vasectomies. Due to technological advances, both these operations have become day-care procedures involving immediate recovery.

Permanent methods should only be chosen only if one’s family is complete and there’s no desire to have more children later.

Make an informed choice, and live a healthy and safe life.