Devices for birth control

Contraception (birth control) refers to any technique, drug, or technology used to prevent conception. Women can select from a variety of birth control methods. Some are more successful than others when it comes to avoiding pregnancy. The method of birth control a person takes is determined by a person’s health, desire to have children now or in the future, and desire to avoid sexually transmitted illnesses.

What is birth control?

The use of different devices, medications, agents, sexual behaviours or surgical operations to prevent conception or pregnancy is referred to as birth control. It allows people to choose when they wish to have a child. There are a variety of devices and therapies available for both men and women to prevent pregnancy. Some procedures are more trustworthy than others. The effectiveness of a procedure is frequently determined by how attentively it is applied. The contraceptive pill, for example, is almost 99 percent effective when taken appropriately. However, because individuals make mistakes, as many as 9 out of every 100 women fall pregnant while taking it each year.

Functions of birth control methods

Contraception, sometimes referred to as birth control, is a method of preventing pregnancy. Birth control techniques can function in a variety of ways:

• Preventing sperm from entering the eggs.
• Keeping the ovaries from generating eggs that may be fertilised.
• IUDs are uterine devices that are inserted. They can be left in the uterus for many years.
• Sterilisation is a procedure that permanently prohibits a person from becoming pregnant or from having the ability to get pregnant in the future.

Methods for birth control 

There is currently a large variety of contraceptive devices available, which may be generally classified into the following categories: Barrier, IUDs, Oral contraceptives, Injectables, Implants, and Surgical procedures.

• Barrier method- The use of barriers prevents ovum and sperm from directly contacting in barrier procedures. These procedures are available to both men and women. Condoms are thin rubber/latex sheath barriers that are used to cover the penis in the male or the vagina and cervix in the female, right before coitus, to prevent ejaculated semen from entering the female reproductive system. This can help to avoid conception.

Condom use has grown in recent years due to the added advantage of preventing the user from developing STIs and AIDS. Condoms are disposable,  self-inserted, and provide the user with privacy. Rubber barriers such as diaphragms, cervical caps, and vaults are also put into the female reproductive system to cover the cervix during coitus. 

• IUDs – The use of intrauterine devices (IUDs) is another successful and popular strategy. These devices are implanted into the uterus through the vaginal canal by physicians or experienced nurses. These IUDs are currently available as non-medicated IUDs, copper releasing IUDs, and hormone-releasing IUDs.

IUDs promote sperm phagocytosis within the uterus, and the Cu ions produced reduce sperm motility and fertility. Hormone-releasing IUDs render the uterus unsuitable for implantation and make the cervix hostile to sperms. IUDs are excellent contraception for women who desire to postpone pregnancy and/or spacing children.

• Oral contraceptive – Females also take oral administration of tiny dosages of progestogens or progestogen–oestrogen combos as a contraceptive technique. They are commonly referred to as pills since they are administered in the shape of tablets. Pills must be taken daily for 21 days, beginning preferably within the first five days of the menstrual cycle. After a 7-day break (during which menstruation occurs), the process must be repeated until the female chooses to avoid pregnancy. Pills are quite effective, have few adverse effects, and are widely accepted by women.
• Injectables or Implants – Females can utilise progestogens alone or in conjunction with oestrogen as injections or implants under the skin. Their mechanism of action is similar to that of tablets, but their duration of action is significantly longer. Progestogens, progestogen-estrogen combos, or IUDs administered within 72 hours following coitus have been demonstrated to be particularly successful as emergency contraceptives since they can be used to avoid pregnancy
• Surgical method – Surgical methods, also known as sterilisation, are often indicated as a last resort for the male/female connection to avoid more pregnancies. Surgical procedures impede gamete transport and so conception. Male sterilisation is referred to as a ‘vasectomy,’ whereas female sterilisation is referred to as a ‘tubectomy.’ In a vasectomy, a little bit of the vas deferens is removed or tied up through a small incision in the scrotum, whereas, in tubectomy, a section of the fallopian tube is removed or tied up by a small incision in the belly or through the vagina. These techniques are exceedingly effective, but their reversibility is quite low.

Conclusion

It should be emphasised that choosing a proper contraceptive technique and using it should always be done in conjunction with trained medical specialists. It is also important to realise that contraception is not a regular need for maintaining reproductive health. Without a doubt, the widespread adoption of these technologies plays an important part in preventing unrestrained population increase. However, while the risks of nausea, stomach discomfort, breakthrough bleeding, irregular monthly flow, and potentially breast cancer are minor, they should not be overlooked.Birth control is important due to rape or casual unprotected intercourse.