Birth control methods
World Contraception Day: is
celebrated across the globe every September 26. This worldwide campaign was
launched in 2007 with the mission of raising awareness about contraception, so
that all young people can make informed sexual and reproductive decisions.
This year's World Contraception Day motto
is, "Your Future. Your Choice. Your Contraception."
Male birth
control: Some women complain that men should take the lead in
protecting their partners from pregnancy.
While in a perfect world there would be an effective Long Acting
Reversible Contraceptive (LARC) for men I think we need to focus on protecting
ourselves from pregnancy by using an effective method of contraception that we
control because we are the ones who become preggers and terminate or carry to
term. So we have a much larger stake in protecting ourselves from pregnancy.
STIs are an entirely different matter and all partners should be tested and free
of STIs or condoms should be used.
Some
contraceptive methods currently available:
Hormonal contraceptives:
Combined (estrogen/progestin pillsMini-pills progestin only pills or POPs
Vaginal ring – NuvaRing
The patch – Ortho Evra
The implant – Nexplanon
The shot - Depo-subQ Provera 104 (a newer less painful shot)
Hormonal IUDs – Mirena / Skyla
Copper IUDs:
Copper 380T –
ParaGard and similar designsGyneFix frameless copper IUD
Cervical
barriers, condoms etc:
Ortho All-Flex silicone Arching spring diaphragmMilex wide seal silicone Arcing spring diaphragm
Milex Omniflex silicone coil spring diaphragm
Reflexions latex flat spring diaphragm
FemCap silicone cervical cap
Male condoms latex & polyurethane
FC2 nitrile female condom
Today sponge
Fertility awareness:
FAM Fertility Awareness Method Symptothermal (using a
barrier when fertile)NFP - Natural Family Planning (abstaining while fertile)
Other:
Cycle beads –Standard days method / Rhythm methodRussian roulette – Withdrawal (Pull and Pray)
Has the GyneFix been cleared by the FDA yet for use in the U.S.?
ReplyDeleteHi Eric, No, GyneFix is still in clinical trials and probably will be for several more years.
DeleteA worthy acknowledgement! Thanks, Jill. Although history has shown that women in many cultures have managed their fertility quite admirably when they wanted to, the modern techniques certainly yield convenience and a wide choice. Perhaps women outside the U.S. should also be aware that "plain" (no copper; no hormones) IUDs are also available. Also, a foaming tablet is still quite popular in South Asia after losing market in Europe. It needs be inserted fifteen minutes early and some woman report feeling a warm, fizzing sensation as it fills the vagina with foam. Never tried them myself.
ReplyDeleteWhilst still in med school, a few decades ago, we were all thrilled that a "male pill" was only a few years off. The one being tested had a side effect of even a sip of alcohol turning the whites of his eyes bright red! Some thought that a good liar check but, alas, there were more serious side effects. A male pill is still only a few years off. Do not keep your legs crossed until it happens.
I must report an flashback last night. As I was preparing for bed, alone, and inserted my diaphragm I had a vivid flashback to a night in an ER with a male colleague. Although I prefer women lovers, my masturbatory fantasies are always men whom I really wanted or with whom close, unsuccessful encounters had occurred. As an ER resident there was a male colleague whom I really wanted. He shared the feelings but something always got in the way. One quiet night I passed behind him at the reception desk and whispered that I was going to Room 3 to insert my diaphragm. I was sitting the bidet having washed and about to insert my diaphragm when he came in, locked the door, peed and we washed our hands together. We were then each bare from the waist down. I pushed him onto the exam table and the mass casualty alarm sounded. A tour coach had rolled off a bridge onto the autobahn and we were the closest hospital, actually line of sight. We get the worst cases and spent the next eight or nine hours working with horrible injuries. I went home, removed the diaphragm and decided we were just not meant to be.
Last night, I began reenacting the scene with the intent of finally getting closure. I could not get off! Out came the Magic Wand and we took care of that with no fantasy, just vibrations. That relationship was just not meant to be if it still does not work in fantasy after more than twenty years! I slept better with security of the diaphragm holding my cervix and standing guard against the incubus in my box of menstrual pads. No other reason for it.
Have you any experience with SoftCups?
ReplyDeleteInstead Softcup is not a contraceptive. However, A year or more ago there was an announcement that there was going to be a trial in Russia using Instead as a contraceptive barrier. I have seen nothing more about that.
DeleteMy experience is that the rim of Instead is thick and hard and can be felt far more easily by the man during intercourse than can a correctly fitted and properly positioned diaphragm. If I’m going to use a menstrual cup I prefer a silicone Diva cup. Or a Milex wide seal diaphragm for flow control during penetrative sex when I’m menstrual.