Ways to protect against unwanted pregnancy. Method for observing cervical mucus. Acid douching as a folk remedy of contraception

Protection from unwanted pregnancy is one of the most pressing issues of concern to all women. Everyone understands perfectly well that abortions cause enormous harm to the female body. However, gynecologists are seriously concerned about the current situation: despite the fact that there are now new generation contraceptives, the number of unplanned pregnancies ending in abortions is growing every year.

What makes women refuse to use effective contraceptives of the new generation, take thoughtless risks, and, in the end, go for an abortion? The financial side of the issue? It can hardly be called an objective reason - methods and means of contraception are very diverse. If desired, a woman with absolutely any income can choose suitable means of protection against unwanted pregnancy. In fact, most methods and means of contraception do not cause much harm to a woman’s budget. An abortion will entail much more damage for the woman, both financial and moral.

If the reason for women’s refusal to use contraceptives against unwanted pregnancy is not the financial side, then what is? What makes women risk their health and ignore contraceptive methods? As the results of long-term observation of gynecologists, as well as statistics from sociological surveys show, the most common reasons for refusing to use contraceptive methods are trivial:

• Ordinary laziness. A woman does not want to look for suitable methods to prevent unwanted pregnancy. However, hoping “maybe” will sooner or later lead a woman to an unwanted pregnancy. If you don’t want to spend a long time selecting contraceptive methods, the IUD is exactly what you need. In order to use a contraceptive method such as the IUD, you will only have to spend a few hours visiting a gynecologist once, after which you can forget about the problem of contraception for several years. This is the best method of contraception for those women who do not want to monitor their menstrual cycle or take pills.
• Ignorance of the operating principle of most methods of preventing unwanted pregnancy. Unfortunately, the harm of contraceptives is greatly exaggerated in the minds of many women. Often, entire legends develop around methods of birth control, passed from one woman to another, each time acquiring more and more terrifying details about the dangers of contraceptives. If a woman fears for her health, she needs to see a gynecologist who will help her choose the safest method of contraception, taking into account her particular health characteristics and needs.
• Hope for a rhythmic method of contraception. Many women use rhythmic methods of contraception. However, they do not take into account that in order to successfully use the calendar method of contraception, a woman’s menstrual cycle must be very, very stable. This method is far from the safest method of contraception.
• Women are afraid to use contraceptive methods when breastfeeding. Many mothers believe that this can cause serious harm to the baby’s health. However, in reality this is not the case. The use of contraceptives while breastfeeding is absolutely safe and cannot in any way harm the health of the baby. If a woman is still very afraid, she can always choose non-hormonal contraceptives. What they are will be discussed below.

A lot has been said about the dangers of abortions that women have to undergo due to neglect of modern methods of contraception. Therefore, this article will not focus on this issue. It talks about what modern methods of contraception exist, and also gives a classification of contraceptive methods.

Natural methods of contraception

The physiological method of contraception is one of the favorites of many women, despite its imperfections. There are two types of physiological contraception:

• Temperature method of contraception.
• Calendar method of contraception.

The female body is designed in such a way that a woman can become pregnant not every day, but strictly on certain days of her menstrual cycle. Pregnancy can only occur during ovulation. Ovulation is the process of release of a mature egg from the ovaries.

Any biological method of contraception is based precisely on this feature of the female body. And that is why, for protection with biological methods of contraception, it is very important that a woman has a stable menstrual cycle.

A natural method of contraception, called calendar, allows you to determine the time of ovulation by counting and scheduling days favorable for conception. In order to do this, a woman must know some features of the conception process.

Fertilization of the egg is possible only within one day from the moment it leaves the ovary. The sperm retains the ability to fertilize the egg within three days from the moment of penetration into the vagina. Natural methods of contraception, including calendar methods, are based on this feature.

First, a woman needs to determine the duration of her menstrual cycle. For the first day of the cycle, you need to take the first day of menstruation. Subtract 18 days from the resulting duration - you will get the first day favorable for conception. After this, subtract 11 from the first day of the menstrual cycle - you get the last “dangerous” day. Remember that the reliability of such a biological method of contraception is only possible in the case of a stable cycle for at least a year.

The temperature method of contraception is a more reliable contraceptive, as it is based on constant accurate measurement of basal body temperature. The main places where this temperature is measured are the oral cavity, vagina, and rectum.

In the evening, prepare a notebook, pen and thermometer. It is preferable to use ordinary mercury, since its readings are more accurate, and accuracy is very important for an effective method of contraception. Immediately after waking up, without getting up in bed, measure the temperature in the rectum for 10 minutes. Try to take your temperature at the same time. After this, immediately write down the readings in a notebook; do not rely on your memory.

The temperature must be measured for at least a month. After this, the woman needs to make a schedule, marking calendar dates vertically and basal temperature horizontally. After this, connect the dots. The result will be a chart of your menstrual cycle.

Immediately after the ovulation process has occurred, the basal temperature rises sharply, amounting to approximately 37.3 degrees Celsius. The most favorable days for conception are the times within 4 days before and after the temperature rises.

This method is difficult to classify as the best method of contraception, since it is not reliable enough, but its adherents talk about some of its advantages over traditional methods of contraception. For the sake of objectivity, these advantages are listed below:

• There is no need to introduce foreign substances into the body, as, for example, when using barrier methods of contraception.
• Unlike pills to prevent unwanted pregnancy, such methods fall into the category of safe contraceptives.
• Also, religious women prefer to use these methods, since these are the only church-approved ways to prevent unwanted pregnancy.
• Such methods are non-hormonal methods of contraception.

These methods have only one drawback, but a very significant one - although they are safe contraceptives, they are very unreliable.

Birth control pills

Contraceptive methods for women nowadays are quite wide. Including contraceptives - pills. The pill is a fairly reliable contraceptive that protects against pregnancy in approximately 98% of cases. Such a high degree of protection is achieved thanks to the artificially synthesized sex hormones included in the tablets.

Oral contraceptives inhibit the ovulation process and also change the normal structure of the uterine mucosa, thereby eliminating the possibility of embryo implantation even if fertilization does occur. Thus, pills to prevent unwanted pregnancy provide a multi-level level of protection. This is why the pill is considered the most reliable method of contraception.

Some women worry about whether pregnancy is possible after taking contraceptives, especially hormonal drugs. Such fears are absolutely groundless; absolutely all changes occurring in the female body are completely reversible and disappear after the woman stops taking oral contraceptives. In addition, contraceptives such as pills have a very “pleasant” side effect - almost all women note a significant improvement in the condition of their skin, nails and hair.

In some cases, gynecologists prescribe hormonal contraceptives for women for therapeutic purposes, for correction. Remember that independent choice of hormonal contraceptives is unacceptable for women. Only a gynecologist should prescribe hormonal contraceptives for women. After all, it is possible to select truly effective methods of contraception only by taking into account all the individual characteristics of the female body.

Doctors highlight several advantages of hormonal contraceptives for women:

• Stabilization of the menstrual cycle in those women for whom it was irregular.
• Also, hormonal methods of female contraception almost completely eliminate premenstrual syndrome and unpleasant physical sensations during menstruation.
• Hormonal methods of contraception for women protect a woman from such a common disease as iron deficiency anemia.
• Women who use hormonal methods of female contraception have a 60% reduced risk of developing all kinds of inflammatory diseases of the reproductive system.
• In addition, the risk of developing all kinds of tumor diseases is significantly reduced. Moreover, a pronounced therapeutic effect is noted. For example, in those women who used hormonal contraceptives for fibroids, doctors noted a significant improvement in their condition, and even a complete cure.
• The risk of developing osteoporosis in those women who use hormonal female contraceptives is reduced significantly, which is also important. Unfortunately, a good half of all women experience osteoporosis. This is also worth paying attention to when choosing contraceptives after 35 years.
• Remarkable prevention of the occurrence in the future of such a formidable complication as an ectopic pregnancy.
• The use of female hormonal contraceptives significantly improves the condition of the skin and treats a large number of skin diseases associated with hormonal disorders.

However, while listing the numerous advantages, it is also worth mentioning the negative aspects that this most effective method of contraception has:

• Women who prefer this method of preventing unwanted pregnancy may experience periodic increases in blood pressure. However, such a side effect is very rare, in no more than 5% of cases and, as a rule, in women who suffer from hypertension.
• Modern hormonal-based contraceptives can cause attacks of cholelithiasis in those women who suffer from it.
• When choosing pills - the most effective contraceptives - you must take into account that in the first months they can cause menstrual irregularities. These disorders can manifest themselves in the form of spotting or, on the contrary, a complete absence of menstrual bleeding. You should not be afraid of this phenomenon, since it is temporary and disappears on its own, two to three months after starting to take the drug. In the same case, if this does not happen, which is extremely rare, the woman needs to consult a doctor who will help you choose another, more optimal drug. After all, the effectiveness of contraceptive methods is ensured precisely through individual selection.
• The main argument against hormonal drugs put forward by women who prefer non-hormonal methods of contraception is gaining excess body weight. In fact, the concentration of hormones in modern contraceptives is so low that it cannot in any way affect body weight. And weight gain occurs due to an improperly balanced diet and insufficient physical activity.
• Some drugs can cause quite unpleasant sensations in the mammary glands, reminiscent of the sensations during pregnancy: the breasts may become full and even ache. As a rule, such sensations disappear a few months after starting to take the drug.
• In very rare cases, severe headaches of a paroxysmal nature may occur. If headaches occur more often than twice a week, the woman should immediately stop taking the medications and consult a doctor.
• Women using hormonal contraceptives after 40 years of age often complain of occasional feelings of nausea, which almost never progress to vomiting. Doctors explain this by age-related hormonal changes in the woman’s body.
• Some women complain that after starting to take the pills they experience emotional instability. However, doctors deny any connection with contraceptives.
• Quite often, in the first few months, a woman may notice a change in sexual desire. In some women it increases; this is partly facilitated by the fact that the woman stops being afraid of an unwanted pregnancy. Other women, on the contrary, complain of decreased sexual desire. However, this is also a temporary phenomenon, and a woman should not worry about this.
• In rare cases, when taking hormonal drugs, age spots may appear, especially on those areas of the skin that are exposed to direct sunlight. If such a complication occurs, the woman should notify her doctor. As a rule, after a couple of months the problem goes away on its own.

Barrier contraception

New methods of contraception provide women with a wide range of choices. If a woman does not want, for some reason, to take birth control pills, she can choose topical contraceptives. The principle by which vaginal contraceptives work is very simple: they use chemicals that are inserted into a woman's vagina. When sperm enters, these chemicals, called spermicides, instantly destroy them. In addition, spermicides create a thin protective film on the vaginal mucosa, and thickening of cervical secretions also occurs. Thus, an additional barrier for sperm appears.

There are two chemicals used in vaginal contraceptives: benzalkonium chloride and nonoxynol. It is on their basis that a local contraceptive, beloved by many women, called “Pharmatex”, was created. Another very important advantage that such contraceptives have when breastfeeding is complete safety for the baby, since the active ingredients do not pass into breast milk. The following describes the main types of contraceptives in this group.

Contraceptin belongs to the group of “chemical contraceptives”; it disinfects, has an antibacterial effect and kills sperm. This is the best contraceptive for those women whose sex life is irregular. This remedy does not require systematic use; it is enough to insert vaginal suppositories into the vagina once, immediately before sexual intercourse.

Nonoxylol also belongs to the group of “chemical contraceptives”. It also has a pronounced spermicidal effect, leading to immobilization and death of sperm. In addition, this drug has a pronounced antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal effect, which ensures a fairly high level of protection against many sexually transmitted diseases. Patentex Oval has exactly the same effect. The form in which these contraceptives are produced is suppositories.

Gramicidin paste continues the list of contraceptives. The active ingredient in this chemical contraceptive is the antibiotic gramicidin. It is a powerful bactericidal and contraceptive agent. In addition, its use is often recommended for those women who suffer from inflammatory diseases of the cervix or vagina.

Chemical methods of contraception also offer such an effective remedy as Traceptin. This is a very effective remedy that has a contraceptive effect. Available in the form of tablets that must be inserted into the vagina immediately before sexual intercourse. However, such a chemical method of contraception can cause side effects such as severe burning in the vagina. If you are faced with such a problem, you should turn your attention to other local contraceptives.

The latest methods of contraception offer women a remedy such as Pharmatex. It is a contraceptive drug and reliably protects against unwanted pregnancy. In terms of its effectiveness, it can be placed on a par with such contraceptives as suppositories, IUDs and tablets. The risk of pregnancy is no more than 1%. In addition, this chemical means of preventing pregnancy has a high ability to protect a woman from many sexually transmitted diseases. It has an inhibitory effect on pathogenic flora such as candida, chlamydia, herpes, gonococci and chlamydia.

This remedy is one of the optimal methods of contraception during breastfeeding, also for those women for whom intrauterine contraceptives - the spiral - are contraindicated. Pharmatex does not have any contraindications or side effects and can be safely used even as a contraceptive after 40 years.

Pharmatex is available in several forms:

• Vaginal balls. They are inserted 3 minutes before sexual intercourse, deep into the vagina.
• The second form is cream. The cream must also be injected deep into the vagina immediately before sexual intercourse.
• Tampons. Inserted into the vagina before sexual intercourse, the protective effect lasts 24 hours, whereas similar contraceptives are one-time use. And before each new sexual intercourse, a new dose of the drug must be administered.

If you use candle contraceptive methods, make sure that they are at hand at the right time, so that you don’t start frantically rushing around in search of the treasured box.

Some women prefer rather exotic contraceptives, the patch, for example. The patch is glued to the woman’s skin for a certain period of time, during which protection against unwanted pregnancy occurs. What is the basis of the action of such a contraceptive as a patch? Under its influence, the level of hormones in the female body changes, which, in fact, has a contraceptive effect. It is worth keeping in mind that this method is quite young, so the effectiveness of this method of contraception is not yet reliably known.

When listing barrier contraceptives, the ring also cannot be ignored. In fact, the idea that the ring is a non-hormonal contraceptive is wrong. The principle of its action is the same as that of tablets. However, its advantage is that a woman does not need to constantly monitor timely consumption. A contraceptive such as a ring is enough to be placed in the vagina once - and for three weeks you can forget about the issue of contraception. The hormones contained in the vaginal ring penetrate into the blood and provide protection against pregnancy.

Due to the action of hormones, the uterine mucosa changes - it thickens and loses its ability to implant a fertilized egg. This remedy reliably protects against unwanted pregnancy in 97% of cases, but do not forget that it does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. That is why its use is justified only if you have a regular sexual partner.

Spiral

Very often, in response to her question about which contraceptives are best, a woman hears about the IUD. An IUD is an intrauterine device. Is this really the most reliable method of contraception? In order to understand this, you need to know by what principle protection against unwanted pregnancy occurs.

An intrauterine device is a special flexible device designed for insertion into the uterine cavity for a long time, and provides protection against unwanted pregnancy. There are two types of IUDs:

• Non-drug spiral.
• Medication. Such a spiral may contain substances such as copper, silver, gold, progesterone and other drugs.

The shape of the intrauterine device can also be very diverse: in the form of a ring, and in the form of a spiral, in other modifications. Plastic is most often used as a material for the manufacture of intrauterine devices. The spiral combines the advantages of barrier and hormonal methods of contraception.

Protection against pregnancy occurs due to the fact that the spiral:

• Causes thickening of the mucus of the cervical canal of the uterus.
• Significantly reduces the speed of movement of the egg into the uterine cavity.
• Reduces the ability of sperm to penetrate the uterine cavity.
• Causes changes in the structure of the uterine mucosa.

The intrauterine device is currently the most effective method of contraception; it provides 99% guarantee of protection against unwanted pregnancy. In addition, if you compare contraceptives for breastfeeding women, the comparison will be in favor of the IUD. It is completely safe for the baby, since even when using a medicated spiral, not a drop of the drug will penetrate into breast milk.

A woman can have an IUD inserted at any time convenient for her, regardless of the day of her menstrual cycle, which allows the woman to choose the day that is convenient for her to go to the doctor. In addition, if you choose contraception after childbirth, the IUD is the best option for you, since it can be inserted immediately after childbirth, as well as after an uncomplicated abortion.

The intrauterine device is the best contraceptive for women who want to achieve long-term and effective protection against pregnancy. However, when choosing contraceptives for girls, you need to know that the use of the IUD in nulliparous women is not recommended.

It is not recommended to leave the device in the uterine cavity longer than indicated in the instructions. Also, in no case is it permissible to independently remove the spiral. To summarize, I would like to once again draw attention to some facts:

• A contraceptive such as the IUD can be used as a method of contraception after childbirth. Make sure to purchase the IUD in advance and notify your doctor of your desire.
• The intrauterine device is an absolutely safe contraceptive for breastfeeding women, since the device does not cause any harm to the baby.
• Those women who are contraindicated in using hormonal contraceptives after 35 years of age can use the IUD without fear of worsening their health.
• I would like to draw the attention of women to the fact that the intrauterine device does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. That is why the use of a spiral is justified only if a woman has a regular sexual partner.

Contraception for men

Very often, girls are interested in what contraceptives exist for men, and do they exist at all? Despite their limited choice, contraceptive methods for men still exist. All currently existing male contraceptives are described below.

Coitus interruptus is one of the most favorite methods of contraception for men. The essence of this method is as follows: the penis is removed from the woman’s vagina before ejaculation occurs. However, the reliability of this method of male contraception is very low.

Very often, at the very beginning of sexual intercourse, a small amount of sperm is released, but quite sufficient to fertilize the egg. As statistics show, every third sexual intercourse using interruption as a male contraceptive leads to an unwanted pregnancy. Also, with constant use of interrupted sexual intercourse, a significant decrease in male potency is possible.

When talking about what male methods of contraception there are, the condom also cannot be ignored. As everyone knows, a condom is a latex elastic sheath that is placed on the erect penis. The method of contraception using a condom has several clear advantages over other male methods.

A condom prevents sperm from entering the vagina, thereby completely eliminating the risk of unwanted pregnancy. Direct contact between the penis and vagina is also eliminated, thereby eliminating the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases. In addition, a condom is a one-time use contraceptive, ideal for those men and women whose sex life is irregular. In addition, it can be used by those married couples for whom other methods of contraception after childbirth are not suitable for some reason.

The use of condoms has no contraindications and does not require large financial costs. However, it also has a disadvantage - the condom may break. In this case, the woman will be forced to pay attention to emergency contraception methods.

There are also less common methods of male contraception, such as sterilization and hormonal drugs. Since birth control pills for men are still in the testing stage, they will not be discussed in this article, but read on to find out what sterilization is.

Male sterilization is called a vasectomy. Its principle lies in the intersection of the vas deferens. The operation is performed under local anesthesia and lasts about 10 minutes. About a month after the procedure, the man completely loses the ability to have children. However, this process is completely reversible if a man wants to have children in the future.

This procedure has absolutely no negative impact on the man’s health: his normal hormonal levels do not change, and sexual desire and potency do not decrease.

Today, this is a complete list of known contraceptives for men.

Emergency contraception methods

Unfortunately, unforeseen situations periodically arise in life and unprotected sexual intercourse occurs. In order to prevent an unwanted pregnancy, there are methods of emergency contraception. I would also like to remind women that if they need emergency contraception, traditional methods will not help them.

There are certain post-intercourse contraceptives that prevent pregnancy even if the intercourse was unprotected. Contraception after sex comes in the form of pills containing large amounts of hormones.

Contraceptives after the act, according to the principle of their action and chemical composition, are divided into two types:

• Contraceptives after sex, the main active ingredient of which is levonorgestrel. The most well-known methods of emergency contraception belonging to this group are drugs such as Escapelle and Postinor. They belong to the group of hormonal drugs and can be purchased at the pharmacy without a prescription.
• Contraceptives after sexual intercourse, related to non-hormonal drugs, based on an active substance such as mifepristone. The most well-known post-coital contraceptive belonging to this group is Postinor. Non-hormonal drugs can be used as emergency contraception for adolescents.

The principle on which the emergency contraception method works is that the process of blocking ovulation occurs, which eliminates the possibility of fertilization. In the same case, if fertilization occurred earlier than the drug was taken, the drug eliminates the possibility of implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterine cavity.

Despite the fact that such products can help prevent an unwanted pregnancy, a woman should remember that these are disposable contraceptives that cannot be abused. It is also necessary to take into account the fact that this type of contraception does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

Teenage contraception

No matter how indignant older people may be about the moral laxity of modern society and the obscene, in their opinion, behavior of teenagers, teenage sex has been, is, and will be. And it is extremely unwise for adults to try to bury their heads in the sand - denying the existence of a problem will not go away. It makes much more sense to help children and tell them about contraceptive methods for teenagers. This will help avoid problems associated with sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancy.

The latest methods of contraception allow you to choose the most optimal method that will not have a negative impact on the growing body. In order to understand how to choose contraceptives, it is necessary to take into account some characteristics characteristic of teenage sexual intercourse.

• In most cases, sexual intercourse among adolescents is not regular, so using new planned methods of contraception is absolutely impractical.
• Unfortunately, during adolescence, casual sex very often occurs, which significantly increases the chances of contracting sexually transmitted diseases. Therefore, contraceptives for adolescents face not only the task of eliminating unwanted pregnancy, but also protecting against sexually transmitted infections.
• Contraception methods for girls must be very reliable, since an abortion performed at such a young age can lead to serious consequences.

Taking into account all the above-mentioned features of the sexual life of adolescents, we can draw the following conclusion about how to choose contraceptives and what you should pay attention to if a teenager categorically refuses to go to the doctor:

• A contraceptive method for girls must be reliable in preventing sexually transmitted diseases. And also protect against unwanted pregnancy.
• Contraception for girls should not harm their health.
• In addition, a contraceptive method for adolescents should be affordable.

Condoms or non-hormonal birth control pills most ideally meet all of the above requirements. But their use is only possible if the girl has one permanent and reliable sexual partner

Traditional contraceptives

So, you have learned about what contraceptives are. However, before summing up, I would like to mention folk contraceptives.

Unfortunately, even in our time, many women rely on traditional methods of contraception. And they completely ignore effective traditional methods of contraception. There are various contraceptives at home:

• Douching the vagina with a powerful stream of water immediately after intercourse.
• Douching the vagina after sexual intercourse with water in which a certain amount of citric acid has been previously dissolved.
• Inserting a piece of lemon into the vagina before sexual intercourse.
• Inserting a piece of laundry soap into the vagina before sexual intercourse.

Supporters of traditional methods of contraception argue that a sharp change in the alkaline balance in the vagina leads to the death of sperm and eliminates the possibility of pregnancy. In fact, such folk contraceptives will lead to the occurrence of a disease such as cervical erosion. But preventing pregnancy using folk remedies is impossible.

This article describes all methods and methods of contraception. Any woman who takes a responsible approach to the issue of family planning can give preference to the most effective contraceptives that are suitable specifically for her. However, before making the final choice, it is still better to consult with your gynecologist, who knows about all your diseases and individual characteristics of the body. We sincerely wish that your test will become “striped” only when you really want it!

Sexual intercourse is not always protected. If a woman does not plan to become pregnant and is afraid that sex will lead to conception, she should use emergency contraception. These include birth control pills after intercourse, which must be taken on the first or third day to minimize the likelihood of pregnancy.

Mechanism of action

Anti-pregnancy pills contain hormones that force the reproductive system to work under their control. Since conception occurs within several days after sex, the mechanism needs to be influenced in the early stages (maximum effectiveness appears within 72 hours, then sharply decreases). It is optimal to take the product within 12-24 hours.

Once in a woman’s body, the drugs suppress ovulation, some cause a mini-abortion, and menstruation begins. The sperm does not have time to fertilize the egg, and pregnancy does not occur. The advantages of using tablets include:

• low chance of pregnancy;
• relatively easy portability of funds;
• restoration of reproductive function in the next cycle;
• there is no effect on hormonal levels in general.

Disadvantages of using tablets:

• do not protect against infections, viruses, bacteria;
• this method cannot be used constantly;
• Complications may occur (vomiting, vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, dizziness);
• The method is not suitable for women who smoke or have increased blood clotting.

What pills to take to avoid getting pregnant

All emergency contraceptives are divided into progestational and antigestagenic. Their features:

1. Progestins - high doses of progesterone are used, the hormone affects the change in the inner layer of the uterus - the endometrium. The drugs block ovulation, leaving sperm with nothing to fertilize. Progesterone contains Postinor and Escapelle tablets. Their constant use can disrupt the functioning of the ovaries.
2. Antigestagens - they use small doses of antiprogesterone, which is more effective in preventing unwanted pregnancy. They inhibit ovulation. Such tablets include Ginepriston, Agest.
3. Combined - combine both groups, contain estrogens and gestagens that suppress ovulation. These include Triquilar, Rigevidon.

Mifepristone-based drugs

Mifepristone-based drugs are used to terminate early pregnancy. They cause miscarriage and change hormonal levels. Compared to a real abortion, taking pills is simple, safe, and causes minimal complications and side effects. Group representatives:

• Mifegin;
• Mifepristone;
• Pencrofton;
• Mytholian;
• Mifeprex.

Levonorgestrel-based drugs

The most common drugs in Russia are those based on levonorgestrel. They suppress ovulation, prevent the development of pregnancy, cause less nausea compared to combined drugs, but more often disrupt the menstrual cycle. Representatives of the group include:

• Postinor;
• Danazol.

Combined

As emergency contraception, you can use combined contraceptive pills with estrogens and gestagens. They suppress ovulation, do not cause bleeding, but can lead to heavy menstruation or cause it to be late. Group representatives:

• Ovidon, Rigevidon, Microgynon, Miniziston - single-phase;
• Triziston, Tri-regol, Triquilar - three-phase.

Side effects

Taking anti-pregnancy pills may result in the development of side effects:

• vomiting, nausea;
• headache, dizziness;
• discomfort in the lower abdomen, weakness;
• itching, urticaria, hyperthermia;
• uterine bleeding;
• emotional lability;
• menstrual irregularities.

Contraindications

Taking emergency contraceptive pills has its own contraindications:

• lactose intolerance;
• liver diseases;
• Crohn's disease;
• breast-feeding;
• pathologies of the biliary tract;
• tumors;
• anemia;
• porphyria;
• thromboembolism;
• history of uterine bleeding;
• migraine attacks;
• age over 35 years and smoking;
• adrenal insufficiency;
• severe extragenital pathologies.

Video

Contraception is an important part of sexual life. It has a serious impact on the health of partners and the amount of pleasure they receive, especially in women. It's no secret that an unwanted pregnancy brings physical problems in the form of a vacuum or abortion, but also psychological ones, when a woman suffers from having to end the life of her own child. Although for many, abortion is like going to the toilet. In fact, it is strange that many women are not even ashamed of the fact that they regularly have abortions, because in our time a wide range of contraception is offered to them.

So, contraceptive methods can be medicinal, barrier and natural. There is also a whole group of folk methods, the reliability of which is so great that they can be used only in the most extreme cases.

Abstinence.

Abstaining from sex is the most reliable method of protection, the only one that provides 100% protection. However, for many reasons it is the most unpopular.

Inability to create offspring.

In fact, some women and men do not need to fear an unwanted pregnancy due to their physiological characteristics that make them incapable of it. Therefore, it makes sense to undergo an examination to identify such pathologies.

Condom.

Condoms allow you to protect yourself on several fronts at once: from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and from pregnancy. All other means do not provide protection against STIs! They are very convenient in cases when there is no regular sex life(due to sex a couple of times a month or less, as a rule, a woman does not want to use other methods of protection against pregnancy), and also in the absence of a permanent reliable sexual partner.

Every time you have sex, you should understand that you may receive a “gift” from your partner in the form of thrush, gonorrhea, syphilis or HIV. And if advanced gonorrhea or syphilis can still be noticed, then HIV may not appear at all for up to a year. And men don’t get thrush at all, but they easily transfer it from one partner to another.

This method is a favorite among teenagers. Many families understand that teenage sex has been, is and will be, so they consider it their duty to provide their child with condoms. Yes, just in case. Firstly, teenagers prefer to spend their pocket money on things that are more “important” to them - cigarettes and alcohol, and secondly, many teenagers are embarrassed to buy condoms themselves.

But the condom has two very significant drawbacks:

firstly, they can easily break at the most inopportune moment, especially if partners change positions during sexual intercourse and allow the condom to dry out. And this is already fraught with pregnancy. Therefore, a woman should always remember about such a method of birth control as the calendar method and such means of birth control as postcoital contraceptives (emergency contraception), which are discussed below. If an emergency occurs during “dangerous days,” then immediately go to the pharmacy for magic pills!

secondly, the sensitivity of the process decreases for both women and men. In addition, some women get special pleasure from the moment of ejaculation from a man, which she cannot feel when using a condom during sex.

Vasectomy and female sterilization.

Very radical, but reliable methods of preventing unwanted pregnancy (the chance of becoming a mother or father is a tiny fraction of a percent).

Vasectomy is a modern method of male sterilization. Under local anesthesia, the surgeon makes a small incision in the scrotum and ligates or removes part of the vas deferens. As a result, sperm can no longer enter the ejaculate. At the same time, with a vasectomy, sexual desire, the amount of ejaculate, erection, and the production of male hormones are preserved. A man remains a man in terms of sex and everyday life, but now he can no longer reproduce. The operation is not reversible, so there are not many people willing to do it yet. Although in some countries in the West and in America it has already gained its adherents.

Female sterilization is also not reversible. In this case, obstruction of the fallopian tubes is created surgically. As a result, sperm cannot penetrate the egg. In addition to the irreversibility of the process, there is another drawback to this method - albeit small, but the likelihood of an ectopic pregnancy.

In Russia there are restrictions on vasectomy and female sterilization. It will not be given to you if you are under 35 years old or do not already have two children. As an exception, sterilization may be performed if there are significant medical contraindications to pregnancy.

Hormonal agents.

Hormonal treatments include oral contraceptives (birth control pills), patches, injections, implants, ring. The essence of them all is the same - to deliver into the female body such an amount of special hormones that will make it impossible for a mature egg and sperm to meet - does not allow the egg to mature, makes the cervical mucus too thick, does not allow the endometrium to attach to the wall of the uterus.

Plasters must be applied once a week during the cycle.

Implants allow you to forget about contraception for several cycles and even years. In this case, special implants with hormones are sewn under the skin. Hormones are released gradually and change the functioning of a woman's reproductive system.

Hormone injections – hormone injections, which must be done regularly, but not often.

Hormonal ring - a ring placed in a woman's vagina for one cycle. During this time, hormones are gradually released from it, which protect against pregnancy.

Hormonal oral contraceptives (birth control pills) must be used regularly throughout the cycle. If you forgot to take one pill, you are not protected for several days. By the way, be sure to read in the instructions what to do if you suddenly forgot to take a pill. This happens very often and you need to be prepared for it. In such a case, it would be good to have a condom with you.

It is the pills that are most widespread among contraceptives. They provide high (more than 99%) reliability, are relatively inexpensive, the dosages and types of hormones are different, which allows you to choose the best option for a particular woman. They are often prescribed to women who have a number of diseases for treatment. At the same time, the controversy surrounding birth control pills still continues: in fact, one can only guess about their negative impact on our body, because no independent research has been conducted on this topic, and manufacturers will always claim that their products are absolutely safe and even useful.

But no matter how harmful they are, abortion or a vacuum are many times more harmful!

Intrauterine contraception.

Quite reliable means of contraception, which are especially popular among nursing mothers.

At the moment, they are represented by two main types: the intrauterine device and the intrauterine hormonal system.

Action intrauterine device based on the fact that it does not allow a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus. A kind of abortifacient that causes miscarriage at the very beginning. The spiral can work in your body for 5 years. One of its disadvantages is that it forces the cervix to remain slightly open all the time so that the spiral thread peeks out. In addition, it is not suitable for nulliparous women whose cervix is ​​still closed.

Modern coils are made from very soft materials, so the risk of uterine bleeding is minimal. What’s especially convenient is that the uterine device is one of those set-it-and-forget-it products. It can reliably protect a woman for many cycles.

Intrauterine hormonal system is placed inside the uterus and throughout the entire period of use releases minimal doses of hormones that control the cycle. Hormones do not need to be taken orally, which means there is no need to increase doses to distribute them throughout the body, as is the case with pills, patches and other hormonal products. Therefore, they are fearlessly used even by many nursing mothers who do not risk taking other types of hormonal contraceptives.

Female barrier methods.

Very inconvenient contraceptives to use. Not only do they need to be inserted shortly before sex, but it is also not very convenient and requires serious skills. You can forget about spontaneous sex! If you spend a few seconds to put on a condom, then in order to insert the cap, sponge or diaphragm you will have to sweat for about five minutes.

Again, reliability is reduced due to the fact that it is not always possible to aim accurately at the cervix. There is also a possibility that this contraceptive device will move during sex. And then, hello, pregnancy!

Spermicides.

The group of spermicides includes a wide range of products: vaginal suppositories, creams, tablets, capsules. In addition, spermicides are often added to sexual lubricants and lubricants used in condoms. Their effect is that they destroy sperm, preventing them from reaching their target - the egg.

This method is quite popular, but the likelihood of getting pregnant when using it is quite high. Their use is many times more convenient than female barrier methods, because placing a suppository or pill in the vagina is easier than putting a cap on the cervix. But you can also forget about spontaneous sex.

Interrupted sexual intercourse.

One of the most common methods of preventing unwanted pregnancy. Its advantage is that when using it, partners do not depend on other means, a woman does not have to worry about the harmful effects of hormonal drugs on her health, and this method is completely free.

But it also has disadvantages:

A woman depends on the responsibility and conscience of her partner.

A man must constantly think about how not to miss that very moment.

Due to certain circumstances, a man may miss the moment of ejaculation.

Both men and women cannot completely relax and concentrate on the process, because there is a constant fear of missing the moment of ejaculation.

The moment of ejaculation is the highlight of sex for both men and many women, so interrupting it prevents both partners from getting the most out of sex.

A small amount of ejaculate is released throughout sex, so sperm can enter the vagina before ejaculation.

For all these reasons, coitus interruptus cannot be used without taking into account the calendar method of contraception. Those. on the most dangerous days it is better to abstain from sex.

Calendar method.

The calendar method of birth control is only possible if the woman has a regular cycle. Based on the cyclical nature of processes occurring in the female reproductive system. So, ovulation (the moment the egg matures, about two days when a woman can become pregnant) usually occurs in the middle of the cycle. For example, if your cycle is 28 days, then the likelihood of getting pregnant is greatest on days 14-15.

But the cycle can sometimes vary. And sperm can live peacefully in your body for several more days. Therefore, choose the shortest and longest cycle. Subtract 18 from the short one and get the serial number of the first dangerous day. And subtract 11 from the long one - you get the serial number of the last dangerous day. For example, your shortest cycle is 27 days, and your longest is 33 days. Then: 27-18=9, 33-11=22. Those. From days 9 to 22 of your cycle, you must either abstain from sex or use reliable methods of protection: condoms, spermicides, female barrier methods.

Methods based on determining ovulation.

Sperm can live inside a woman for up to 7 days, so 7 days before expected ovulation and a couple of days after it, it is necessary to either abstain from sex or use reliable methods of contraception.

Method for measuring basal temperature.

Basal temperature is measured rectally (through the anus). The measurement is taken right in the morning, before you get out of bed and start to move. This must be done every day and all data must be recorded. The resulting graph will show the days when ovulation occurs. 3-4 days before ovulation, the basal temperature will decrease slightly, and on the day of ovulation it will rise to 37.2 - 37.4 degrees.

Method for observing cervical mucus.

Throughout the cycle, the appearance of mucous discharge from the vagina changes. If there is no mucus immediately after menstruation, then the closer you get to ovulation, the more cloudy and sticky it becomes. After ovulation, its secretion decreases.

Ovulation tests.

The method is expensive, so it is not of particular interest to Russian consumers. The ovulation test must be used in accordance with the instructions.

Sympto-thermal method of fertility recognition (STMRP).

This is a symbiosis of the rectal method and the method of observing cervical mucus. Using several directions of observation at once allows you to increase the accuracy of determining ovulation.

Emergency contraception.

As an emergency contraception, an IUD can be urgently installed.

Postcoital contraceptive medications must be used with extreme caution, because they shock all of a woman’s organ systems. And yet, in situations where the risk of getting pregnant is too great, such a shock is better than an abortion later.

You need to take the pill as soon as possible - the sooner, the better. But no later than 3 days after sex.

In fact, in pharmacies, as a rule, there are not many products that allow you to avoid getting pregnant after sex, so you will have to choose from what is available and what is affordable. But let’s still consider the most common ones.

Postinor or Eskinor-F. A product of the previous generation. It consists of two tablets that must be taken 12 hours apart. If you feel sick after taking it, you will have to go to the pharmacy again and take the pill again. The main active ingredient is levonorgestrel 750 mcg per tablet. These drugs are blamed for a very large number of side effects.

Escapelle. An analogue of Postinor, but with a double dosage of levonorgestrel in one tablet. Therefore, it is enough to take only one tablet.

Ginepriston or Zhenale. Contains mifeprestone 10 mg. Dose – 1 tablet within 72 hours. Positioned as a product that does not contain hormones, because Mifeprestone is a steroid.

If the pharmacy does not find emergency contraception, then you can take a closer look at commercially available monophasic birth control pills for use during the cycle. Many of them can be used as a post-coital remedy if several tablets are swallowed at once. See the table below for the list and doses.

Means for medical abortion. Antigestagenic drugs that increase the tone and contractile activity of the myometrium. Used for medical abortion in early pregnancy - up to 42 days of amenorrhea. For example, Mifepristone, Miropreston, Agesta contains 200 mg of mifeprestone.

Video on how not to get pregnant:

For various reasons, women often encounter the phenomenon of unwanted pregnancy. After the test gives a positive result, the girl begins to think about how to get rid of the embryo. Let's look at the situation in detail and list the methods and medications used in such cases.

Unwanted pregnancy in the early stages - what to do?

First, a woman must think things through. You should not make hasty decisions or look for ways to get rid of an unwanted pregnancy. There is a need for a repeat test (after 5-6 days). In this case, the girl will be able to completely exclude a false positive result. According to statistics, it occurs in approximately 3-5% of cases. To be completely sure, you can undergo a blood test to check your hormone levels. The presence of hCG will indicate pregnancy.

Pills for unwanted pregnancy in the early stages

Termination of the gestation period with the help of medications is called medical abortion. Most of these products are not available freely in pharmacies. They are used exclusively by qualified specialists in a clinical setting. The following pills are used for medical abortion:

1. Pencrofton. Used in the initial stages of gestation. The active ingredient is mifepristone. It is prescribed mainly to young women who do not have children, due to the absence of the risk of developing secondary infertility.
2. Mytholian. Like all similar drugs, it is used up to 42 days from the moment of fertilization. The active substance leads to the separation of the embryo from the inner wall of the uterus and expulsion outward.
3. Mifepristone. A common drug often used for medical abortion. Leads to detachment of the fertilized egg.
4. Mifegin. The high effectiveness of the drug and its excellent tolerability, the absence of side effects determine its widespread use when it is necessary to terminate gestation.

Folk remedies for unwanted pregnancy

Doctors do not recommend using traditional recipes to terminate a pregnancy. At home, there is a high risk of developing uterine bleeding, as the main complication of the procedure. Such a violation is fraught with a sharp deterioration of the condition and can be fatal. An unwanted pregnancy interrupted in the early stages using folk remedies can affect the state of the reproductive system, which will subsequently cause problems with conception. But even knowing this, young girls often resort to the help of traditional medicine, using:

1. Decoction of unripe walnut peel. Dilute with water, take half a glass after meals, several times a day.
2. St. John's wort decoction - 4 tablespoons of dried herb per 1.5-2 liters of boiling water. Wait half an hour, filter and douche against unwanted pregnancy.

How to protect yourself from unwanted pregnancy after intercourse?

In this case, it is worth considering that it may not be possible to completely eliminate an unwanted pregnancy, but it is quite possible to reduce the likelihood of its occurrence. When talking about how to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse at home, the following methods should be noted:

• careful hygiene procedures immediately after sex;
• taking a hot bath;
• douching with herbs and solutions;
• use of emergency contraceptives.

Pills for unwanted pregnancy after intercourse

To protect against possible conception after sex, so that an unwanted pregnancy does not occur, post-coital contraception is used. Their action is based on increasing the contractility of the muscular structures of the uterus. As a result, the fertilized egg is released outside. At the same time, a spermicidal effect is observed - all sperm present in the woman’s genital tract die. The following emergency pills for unwanted pregnancy are often used:

• Gynepristone;
• Arrest;
• Postinor;
• Escapelle.

It must be said that such funds have a limited period of effectiveness and must be used at certain time intervals. The same pill for unwanted pregnancy is given to a woman for 72 hours to take. Otherwise, the effect of use is sharply reduced. Using the product later than the specified period may result in problems for the reproductive system - causing bleeding.

Traditional contraceptives after intercourse

When choosing remedies and thinking about how to protect yourself after an unprotected act, folk remedies are the first thing that comes to a girl’s mind. Young women are not afraid of the consequences of such procedures. In such cases, they often resort to douching:

• 2 tablespoons of vinegar are diluted in 1 liter of boiled, cooled water. The resulting solution is used for douching;
• Dried yellow lily root (50 g) is finely crushed, poured 1 liter of boiling water, and placed on the stove for a quarter of an hour. The filtered and cooled solution is used for washing.

Prevention of unwanted pregnancy

Unplanned conception is much easier to prevent than to then get rid of the resulting gestation. There are many ways to do this. The most common methods of preventing unwanted pregnancy are the following:

1. Occurs when the partner is able to fully control the ejaculation process.
2. Involves establishing the time of the ovulatory process. Subsequently, the woman tries to avoid sexual, unprotected relationships at this time.

Means of protection against unwanted pregnancy

Contraceptives help to exclude unplanned gestation. A woman can choose methods of contraception that suit her. Thinking about how to avoid unwanted pregnancy, girls decide to use:

1. Intrauterine devices. With individual selection of such a device and proper installation, the product is highly effective, and unwanted pregnancy does not occur in 98% of cases.
2. Oral contraceptives. They are a common form of protection. Taken daily, at the same time. After six months of use, you should take a break.
3. Condoms. The barrier method is the oldest in existence. Has relatively high efficiency.
4. Implants and injectable contraceptives. A capsule with a hormonal component is injected under the woman’s skin. It lasts for several years, releasing a certain concentration of the hormone. Due to the high risk of infertility and migration to neighboring tissues and organs, it is rarely used.

Safe days for sex

By avoiding intimate relationships on certain days of the menstrual cycle, a woman can exclude conception. It should be borne in mind that the method is not 100% effective, since there is a possibility of changing the time of ovulation in the body. The process itself is influenced by external factors, and this must be taken into account when using the method. To determine which days are safe to have sex, a girl needs to know her ovulation time.

In order to determine the ovulatory process, basal temperature is measured over several months and a schedule is drawn up. On those days when there is an increase in values ​​by 0.5-1 degrees, ovulation is noted. To quickly determine this process in the body, you can use special tests. When establishing safe days, the possibility of shifting the process of egg release from the follicle by 1-2 days is taken into account. The specified number of days is added and subtracted to the set date. The result is a corridor of time during which unprotected sex should be avoided.

If pregnancy is currently unwanted, its occurrence must be prevented. And for this, various methods of contraception are used. Conventionally, they can be divided into barrier, hormonal, intrauterine and for local use. How to make the right choice? What is more convenient and in what cases?

The choice of how to protect yourself from unwanted pregnancy depends on many factors:

• the age of the woman (an intrauterine device will not suit a young girl);
• does she have one sexual partner (if you frequently change sexual partners, there is a high risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection, so barrier contraceptives are used);
• whether there have been pregnancies and childbirth in the past (pregnant and healthy women under 35 years of age are allowed any type of contraception);
• material possibilities (some contraceptives are quite expensive);
• personal convenience (for some it is more convenient to have an IUD installed for 5 years, even if they suffer a little pain during its installation and for several days after, while others prefer to take pills every day at a certain time).

Barrier contraception

These include, first of all, the regular male condom. This simplest thing will help not only to avoid pregnancy, thanks to the retention of sperm in it, but also sexually transmitted infections. True, not all infections. For example, genital herpes can also be transmitted using a condom if the rash is not on the head of the penis.

Important: a condom is a disposable item. Even if after sexual intercourse no sperm gets into it, you must wear a new one the next time you have sexual intercourse. Condoms are a strong, reliable thing, but you shouldn’t test it...
What to do if this contraceptive breaks? You need to take a hormonal contraceptive, but an emergency one.

Big plus barrier contraception the fact that it is inexpensive and sold without a prescription. Plus the assortment is pleasing. By the way, female condoms have already appeared in Russia. But this is rather exotic for us for now and you can’t buy them in ordinary pharmacies or supermarkets.

Hormonal contraceptives

Protecting yourself with pills is very convenient. True, many women are still afraid of this type of contraception. They believe that since the pills are hormonal, they will definitely gain weight, or even become infertile. In fact, oral contraceptives are absolutely safe if they are taken by a woman who has no contraindications and follows the instructions. And the first generation tablets had many side effects. Fortunately, they are no longer on sale now.

Currently, the most common complications are caused by emergency contraception after intercourse, that is, the so-called postcoital contraceptives. These are pills that are taken within 1-2 days after unprotected intercourse. They almost always, when taken in a timely manner, help avoid unwanted pregnancy. But they are not suitable for regular contraception, as they contain a loading dose of hormones. You should not take them even twice in one menstrual cycle, as there is a high probability of uterine bleeding. For regular contraception, drugs of a different composition and effect are sold.

What problems may arise when taking modern oral contraceptives? The most common problem is intermenstrual bleeding. Most often occur in the first three months of taking the drug. They disappear on their own as soon as the body gets used to the pills. Other possible problems - decreased libido, headaches, swelling of the legs are usually also temporary and do not require discontinuation of hormonal contraception. The maximum is drug replacement.

How to choose the right drug? In fact, this issue is not important if a woman wants to take pills specifically for the purpose of contraception, and not treatment, since hormonal contraceptive drugs are also prescribed as a medicine. Usually, young girls are recommended drugs with minimal content of the hormones progesterone and estrogen. Women who are breastfeeding are advised to take medications with progestins, without estrogen. The same recommendation is given to women over 35 years of age who smoke more than 8-10 cigarettes per day, since they are already at risk for cardiovascular diseases. There are drugs designed to get rid of acne, oily hair, this is all in addition to contraception.
But the main sign that the drug is suitable is its good tolerability. You can find out what your tolerance will be when taking a particular hormonal contraceptive, but only by starting to take it.

In addition to pills, hormonal methods of regular protection against unwanted pregnancy include NuvaRing contraceptive ring. It is installed once a month in the vagina and reliably protects against conception. During sexual intercourse the ring is not felt. And the woman herself does not feel it if she installs it correctly, that is, deeply enough. The big advantage of this type of contraception is that there is no need to take a contraceptive every day, as is the case with pills. That is, there is no risk of getting pregnant even for an unprepared woman.

Such a contraceptive - contraceptive patch Evra. It is glued once a week to the area of ​​the buttock, shoulder or other area that is comfortable for the woman. Of course, there is always a risk of peeling off. But in this case, the manufacturer gives clear instructions. If you get used to it, you can use it.

For those who want to forget about contraception for a long time, while being reliably protected from pregnancy, there is contraceptive implants, which are implanted by the doctor into the patient’s forearm for 3 years. If significant side effects occur, or a woman suddenly decides to become pregnant, the implant is removed (always by a doctor who knows how to do this), and you can plan a child.

Fertility after taking oral and other hormonal contraceptives is restored immediately or after a maximum of 6 months. It is rare that the process of “launching” the ovaries takes longer.

Chemical contraceptives

Hormonal contraceptives, described earlier, have a systemic effect on the body. That is, their intake affects in one way or another many organs and processes in the body, and can cause harm. But there are local contraceptives that do not enter the bloodstream, are not carried throughout the body, and have a maximum effect on the vaginal mucosa.

These are drugs that are inserted into the vagina a few minutes before sex. During this time, they manage to form a reliable film there, “deadly” for sperm. The main point is that protection from unwanted pregnancy after intercourse with their help is absolutely ineffective. The fact is that sperm are very fast. And protection against them needs to be created in the vagina before sex, and not after.

Drugs chemical contraception sold in different forms. But suppositories (candles) are the most popular among women. Commercial names: Pharmatex, Patentex Oval, Benatex, etc. There are two types of chemical components contained in these contraceptives. Thus, suppositories containing nonoxynol also have antibacterial activity. But candles containing benzalkonium chloride do not have such an effect, and even lose their effectiveness when in contact with soap. Therefore, you should not wash yourself with soap shortly before using them and immediately after sexual intercourse.

But even with the correct use of chemical contraceptives, their reliability is far from 100% and is very inferior to hormonal, intrauterine and barrier contraception. It is more suitable for women who have an irregular sex life, but with one healthy partner.

Intrauterine contraception

Intrauterine devices (IUD)- a well-known anti-pregnancy remedy. Our mothers and grandmothers used it. The simplest spirals, which do not contain precious metals, cost from 200 rubles. And they can stay in the uterus for up to 5 years. That is, for 200 rubles you can buy 5 years of a quiet life! Moreover, if pregnancy is planned earlier than in 5 years, the IUD can be easily removed by the doctor.

But the IUD has two big disadvantages:

• provoke heavy periods;
• contribute to the development of the inflammatory process in the uterus.

The IUD can be installed in a woman who is about to enter menopause. She still needs contraception, but she no longer plans to have children. The IUD is also ideal for mothers with many children.

There are spirals that are also used for medicinal purposes (to control the growth of uterine fibroids, prevent and stop the spread of endometriosis), but they are hormonal. And they cost from 10 thousand rubles.

Folk remedies for preventing pregnancy

Yes, despite the abundance of contraceptives in pharmacies, some women are confident in the power of non-medical methods to avoid unwanted conception. For example, it is considered effective calendar method of birth control when a woman calculates the days that are safe for sex. That is, days on which ovulation will not occur. This is done very simply - the days in the middle of the menstrual cycle are calculated. For example, if the menstrual cycle consists of 30 days, then ovulation will occur around the 15th day. We add a couple of days in one direction or the other and get a time period when you need to either use protection or avoid sex.

Another popular method that is usually “advertised” by men is interrupted coitus. Its purpose is to prevent sperm from entering the partner’s vagina. This method is often criticized. Many people got pregnant using it.

And these are two more or less effective methods. And there are generally ineffective and, rather, harmful. For example, douching after sexual intercourse. Neither water nor antiseptic solutions can stop sperm. But if you douche frequently, it is easy to provoke thrush.

How did women protect themselves from unwanted pregnancy in ancient times, what did they take? But indeed, contraception existed in the Middle Ages. For example, in harems. The sultans' favorites sprinkled special herbs into their drinks or food for the sultan's other concubines, and they became sterile. But the recipes from those herbs are not reliably known. Yes, they are not particularly needed, because there are hormonal birth control pills.

In general, folk and modern means of contraception are not comparable in terms of effectiveness. And if a woman does not want to have an abortion (and who wants that!), it is better not to take risks and use contraception recommended by doctors. Finding out how and what is the best way to protect yourself from unwanted pregnancy in the 21st century is not a problem at all.