Pregnancies and the transmission of diseases through sexual intercourse can be specifically prevented by contraception. There is an abundance of different contraceptives, which have different active principles and advantages and disadvantages. Enjoy reading!

Principles of action and contraceptives

Contraceptives are divided into mechanical, hormonal, chemical, natural and surgical contraceptives.

Mechanical contraceptives include:

• Condom
• Female condom (femidom)
• Copper IUD
• Caya diaphragm
• FemCap

Mechanical contraceptives prevent semen from entering the vagina or sperm from reaching the egg.

Hormonal contraceptives include:

• Pill
• Mini pill
• Morning-after pill
• Three-month injection
• Vaginal ring
• Hormone IUD
• Hormone implant
• Contraceptive patch

Hormonal contraceptives contain artificially produced hormones that have a high degree of similarity to the body’s own hormones estrogen and progestin. As a result, hormonal contraceptives not only suppress ovulation, but can also prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in the lining of the uterus. They also thicken the mucus in the cervix, which makes sperm more immobile and blocks their path to the egg.

Chemical contraceptives include:

• Suppositories
• Contraceptive cream
• Contraceptive tablets
• IUD

Chemical contraceptives contain substances that kill sperm. A combination with mechanical contraceptives is recommended, as the chemical ones are not very safe.

Operative contraceptives include:

• Sterilization of the woman
• Sterilization of the man

Sterilization is a contraceptive method that cannot be reversed. It involves a surgical procedure to cut the fallopian tubes in women and the vas deferens in men. This method should only be performed after thorough consideration.

Natural contraceptives include:

• Temperature method
• Contraceptive computer
• Natural family planning
• Coitus Interruptus

Natural contraceptives are among the least safe methods, but do not affect the human body in any way.

The Pearl Index

The Pearl Index describes the degree of safety of a contraceptive. It indicates how many women out of 100 will become pregnant unintentionally if they use a particular contraceptive method for one year.

The lower the value, the safer the contraceptive method. Thus, a Pearl Index of 4 means that 4 out of 100 women became pregnant within one year if they used contraception in the specified way. However, this value can vary due to incorrect use or different attempts.

The two most common contraceptive methods

Condom

The condom is the only common contraceptive that protects not only against pregnancy but also against the transmission of STDs. The condom is a sheath made of latex that is rolled over the penis to prevent sperm from entering the vagina.

When putting it on, it is important to hold the small cavity in the tip with your thumb and forefinger so that no air is trapped there. If air is trapped, there is a risk that there will be no room for the sperm and the condom will tear. The condom offers very high protection when used correctly.

Anti Baby Pill

The Anti Baby Pill is a hormonal contraceptive and can only be taken by women. It is one of the most common and safest contraceptives. The pill must be taken daily and regularly for it to work.

Through the Anti Baby Pill, hormones are absorbed that affect the woman’s cycle. The hormones prevent the maturation of an egg or ovulation.

The Anti Baby Pill only protects you from pregnancy and does not provide protection against sexually transmitted diseases.