How safe are the common contraceptive methods?

How safe are the common contraceptive methods?

© pixabay.com, Bru-nO (CC0 Creative Commons)

Safe contraception is an essential part of a fulfilling sex life. It protects against unplanned pregnancy and in some cases also against sexually transmitted diseases. Contraception should be safe in its function and at the same time put as little strain on the body as possible.

When it comes to contraceptive methods, a distinction must first be made between three methods:

  • hormonal
  • mechanically
  • naturally

The safety of all methods is shown with the Pearl Index. The Pearl Index shows how many women out of 100 childbearing age become pregnant within a year of regular sexual intercourse despite the contraceptive method chosen. In other words: the smaller the number, the safer the method is when preventing pregnancy.

Pearl index

Natural contraception

NFP 0.4

Hormonal contraceptive methods

vaginal ring 0.4-0.65
mini pill 0.5-3
pill 0.1-0.9
hormone spiral 0.16
three-month injection 0.2-4

mechanical methods

condom 2-12
copper spiral 0.3-0.8
contraceptive sponge 17-25
Femidon 5-25

Natural Family Planning (NFP)

More and more women want contraception without hormones and quickly end up with NFP. This method can be used safely both as contraception and in the case of a desire to have children. There are different methods of NFP. The Sensiplan method presented here is considered one of the safest methods for natural family planning. In order for it to function safely, the woman observes several points on her body:

  • Measurement of basal body temperature
  • Observation of the cervical mucus
  • palpation of the cervix

These results are presented in a so-called cycle sheet – here is a completed example data sheet. This data shows when ovulation occurs in women. Important: Before the method works reliably, the data from at least three cycles must be evaluated. If sexual intercourse is avoided during the fertile days, this contraceptive method has a Pearl Index of 0.4. Other NFP methods only observe one or two traits. However, this loses the validity of the method. Unlike other contraceptive methods, NFP supports the woman’s relationship with her body and promotes an understanding of what is happening in her body during the monthly cycle.

What happens with cervical mucus?

On the fertile days, the cervical mucus becomes more liquid. Shortly before ovulation, threads appear in it. During the infertile half of the cycle, cervical mucus decreases in volume and becomes thicker.

What does the temperature indicate?

On the day of ovulation, the body temperature increases by several tenths. In the second sterile half it stays higher.

Why watch the cervix?

In order to feel the cervix, it is ideal to squat down or put one leg up on the bathtub. One or two clean fingers can feel the cervix in the vagina. In order to be able to compare the data, it is important to take the same position and the same fingers.

While the vagina feels rough and wavy, the cervix has a smooth surface. A closed cervix feels like a slight bump. If you feel a depression in the middle with your fingertip, you will encounter an open cervix. In addition, the hardness of the cervix can be assessed. This can be hard like the tip of your nose or soft like an earlobe. The cervix opens and softens towards ovulation. This is where it takes some time for a secure feeling for your own cervix to develop.

The contraceptive effect of this method depends heavily on the woman and how she feels about her body. However, over time and with increasing data, women are getting to know their bodies better and can say very precisely where they are in their cycle.

Hormonal contraceptive methods

Hormonal contraception is also one of the most common methods. The pill was considered a revolution when it was launched in the USA in 1960 and in Germany a year later. For some it was the beginning of the end and for others the beginning of female self-determination. Today, far from ideology, people are concerned with the physical advantages and disadvantages of hormonal methods. Hormonal contraception can now be used with the following means:

  • mini pill
  • pill
  • vaginal ring
  • contraceptive sticks
  • hormone spiral
  • contraceptive patch
  • three-month injection

What happens with hormonal contraception?

The hormones contained are very similar to the body’s own hormones estrogen and progestin. Through this similarity, they affect the monthly cycle. The following applies to all hormonal methods: medication such as antibiotics can impair the effect in the short term. Means such as the mini-pill or the pill depend on safe intake for their safety. With the three-month injection, on the other hand, a depot preparation with progestin is injected into the muscles by a doctor. This remedy prevents ovulation and the build-up of the mucous membrane, so that in the event of fertilization the egg could not implant. The progestin also thickens the mucus in the cervix, making it difficult for sperm to penetrate.

Depending on age and family illnesses, hormonal contraceptive methods are not recommended for all women. A comprehensive explanation by the specialists and a weighing is always useful here. Hormonal methods, for example, can show side effects such as weight gain, osteoporosis, circulatory disorders and depression. At the same time, some preparations can bring relief, especially for women with problems due to heavy menstrual bleeding.

Mechanical contraceptive methods

In the so-called barrier methods, this barrier prevents the sperm from penetrating the egg cell. The possible methods are here:

  • condom
  • diaphragm
  • spiral
  • contraceptive sponge
  • Femidon (female condom)

The best known here is the condom, which also protects against the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases. Means such as the copper spiral and the diaphragm require precise adjustment by a specialist so that they offer reliable protection against pregnancy. The contraceptive sponge is less popular in Germany and has a pearl index between 17 and 25. It acts as a mechanical barrier and also kills the sperm with the chemical additive. The application is similar to the diaphragm. The femidon is very similar to the condom and is “inserted” in the vagina. In addition, it can be combined with spermicidal lubricants. In addition to pregnancy, Femidon also prevents the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases. Anyone who uses it frequently becomes safer in use and thus increases protection.

Choosing the “right” contraception

In order to reliably prevent pregnancy, the method chosen should be safe according to the Pearl Index. At the same time, the woman must feel physically comfortable with her and not experience any disadvantages as a result of her. Depending on the phase of life, physical health and marital status, the “right” contraception can change for every woman over the course of her life. Comprehensive information gives you the opportunity to make the right decision for you.

02/14/2022

Recent Articles

Related Stories