Birth control

mrsaepts
Dec 3, 2021
5 min read

Updated: Jan 19, 2022

BY Jidapa Pakdeechote, Natnapin Chalermpongpakorn, Pimlada Klaingjun, Panisara Aursak

Edited by Tanyatorn Thienpaitoon

What is birth control?

In this era, technologies expand ways to prevent pregnancy. There is no doubt that some people are not ready to have kids. Some may be unprepared, and some may not have the potential to raise a kid. Others might be too young or might not have the desire to be pregnant.

By preventing pregnancy, birth control comes into play. Birth control is any method used to voluntarily limit human reproduction. There are many different methods of birth control that women can choose. Some work better than others at preventing pregnancy, and some are more reliable. The choice of use also depends on the health condition. How well a method works depends on how carefully it is used. Other than controlling pregnancy, birth control can reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases.

Each type has individual rates of effectiveness, which take into account the possibility of human error.

Barrier methods of birth control

This method keeps male sperm from reaching the egg. For instance, Condom, Diaphragm, and Sponge are some of them. Some birth control methods can also protect from STDs (Sexually transmitted diseases).

Condom

Condom prevents sperm from entering the uterus and reaching the egg. There are types of condoms: for men and women.

A male condom is a thin sheath made of latex (rubber), polyurethane (plastic), or natural membrane. It is worn over the erect penis during sexual intercourse and can protect humans from STDs and protect women from pregnancy 98% when you use them right.

A female condom is a thin plastic material in the shape of a pouch that lines the vagina. The condom is held in place by a closed inner ring at the cervix, and the outer ring at the opening of the vagina. The condom needs to be put into the vagina before sex. It can protect humans from STDs and protect women from pregnancy. When you use them right, it is 95% effective.

Both of them keep semen and other fluid from entering the uterus.

Yet, remember not to use a male's condom and a female's condom together.

How to use condoms:

A male condom
1. Open the package carefully and take the condom out
2. Put it on the tip of your fully erect penis
3. Get the air out of the condom
4. Roll it down your penis
5. After sex, hold your condom on your genitals while pulling it out
6. Remove and throw it into the trash.

A female condom
1. Use new condoms every time you have sex
2. Be careful when you open the package. Do not rip it.
3. Put the condom in before any contact between the penis and the vagina
4. Put lubricating on the tip of the condom
5. Find a comfortable place and position to put it in
6. Strap the ring to the tip of the condom, like a tampon. For anal sex, release it as far as it will go into your bottom
7. Release the ring that will open and keep it in place
8. Leave the end of the ring around one inch outside your vagina or bottom
9. Use your hands to navigate your partner’s penis into the condom
10. After sex, turn the outer ring outside, pull it out, and throw it away

Combined Estrogen-Progestin Contraception

Combined Estrogen-Progestin Contraception is another solution for birth control, which uses Female sex steroids. It works by stopping the ovaries from releasing eggs or keeping mucus in the cervix thick so that sperm cannot pass through the cervix into the uterus.

The main components of contraception are Estrogen and Progestin that cause ovulation. As the pills contain both hormones, they enhance the inhibitory with less drug than a single hormone. The hormone will suppress gonadotropin production of the pituitary gland that affects the development of the Ovarian follicle. Moreover, it will suppress FSH and LH production, preventing the midcycle LH surge that leads to no ovulation; no corpus luteum; and no progesterone.

Pill's effectiveness will only remain when you take the pills. Thus, decreasing the number of pills will increase the amount of FSH and LH hormones produced. This explains why when you forget to take pills or take pills, the hormone rate alter. Remember that the patient can still ovulate, and the ovarian follicle can still grow while taking the pills.

There Are 4 Types of combined estrogen-progestin contraception: Combined oral contraceptives (COCs), Combination injectable contraceptives (CICs), Transdermal contraceptive patch, and Contraceptive vaginal ring.

This paper, however, will only focus on Combined oral contraceptives (COCs).

Combined oral contraceptives (COCs)

As mentioned earlier, each pill contains Estrogen and Progestin. There may be 21 pills, 24 pills, or 28 pills in a package. Each package is used differently. The COCs can be categorized into two groups: Monophasic COC, which Contains the same amount of Estrogen and Progestin, and Multiphasic COC, which Contains different amounts of Estrogen and Progestin.

If the patient missed a dose, take one immediately as soon as you remember. Then, the patient can continue to take the rest of the pills normally. However, if the patients forget to take two or more pills, they should use backup contraception.

Benefits and side effects of Condoms

Condoms are one of the most commonly used birth control ways. In the case of male condoms, 14-15 people out of 100 turn out to be pregnant. Even though condoms have high protective efficiency, there are many risks due to misuse. Condoms do not have any particular side effects to the user, except for latex allergic ones. In addition, the cost per condom is affordable. In some health organizations, they may distribute condoms for free.

Female condoms do not include latex that could irritate the skin. On the contrary, they can easily slip out of place during sexual intercourse. And there is only one size, unlike male condoms.

Benefits and side effects of birth control pill

Women enjoy the advantages of the birth control pill. Yet, pill use may carry some side effects and risks. Birth control pills are beneficial in many ways. First, they are very convenient and safe. Second, there is a low risk of severe side effects as birth control pills have lower doses of hormones than in the past. Third, birth control pills can make the period less painful. Fourth, they can lower the risk of some cancers, including uterine cancer. Last but not least, they can clear up your skin. As a result, some research claims that only about half of the users consume the pills for pregnancy prevention, while 14 percent consume them for other reasons.

Despite all the benefits listed above, the pills can not protect women from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Therefore, it is recommended to use other types of birth protection, for example, condoms, along with the use of pills. Though there are no severe side effects from consuming, several symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, nausea, and bloating can occur. Yet, each individual may experience different side effects.

Birth control methods should be practiced properly to protect yourself and your partner from getting sexually transmitted diseases. Each kind of birth control has different pros, cons, and side effects. So, it means that each method might not fit everyone. You should learn and study which types of methods are appropriate for you. Consults with doctors will also be helpful.

Having a good practice in birth control would benefit both the mother and child by decreasing the mortality rate and abortion. As a result, when the mother becomes pregnant, they are more likely to be pleasant. Therefore, the government should provide information about birth control methods for citizens to understand this problem.