Chemical contraceptive methods

Chemical contraception is the prevention of pregnancy through chemical killing of sperm. This is done by using so-called spermicides. They are available in different dosage forms:

Gel
Ointment
Suppositories
Foam
Spray

The spermicide should be applied at least 10 minutes before intercourse.

Some agents kill sperm completely, while others only restrict motility or stop sperm from entering the cervix. This contraceptive method is considered relatively unsafe with a Pearl Index of 3 -21. Therefore, combination with other contraceptives is recommended. Find out more about this under: natural contraceptive methods

Hormonal contraceptive methods

There are different methods of contraception with the help of hormones. Usually the hormones estrogen and/or progestin are used. These play an important role in ovulation.

If their concentration in the blood remains constantly high due to the contraceptive, ovulation usually does not occur and the secretion of the uterus changes in such a way that the sperm are restricted in their movement. The conventional birth control pill is the most popular hormonal contraceptive. It contains the hormones estrogen and progestin, the waste products of which are important for ovulation.

By taking it regularly, however, the level remains constantly high and ovulation does not occur. The Pearl Index is about 0.1 – 0.9, depending on the preparation, which speaks for a very safe method of contraception. Similar preparations such as the minipill, which contains only the hormone progestin, are also very safe with a Pearl Index of 0.14 – 3.

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Mini pill

Here, the woman is injected every three months a hormonal fluid into the muscles which suppresses ovulation. The method is very safe and only needs to be refreshed four times a year. However, it is also relatively difficult to discontinue, so that in some cases a desired pregnancy can only occur after years, which is why family planning should ideally already be completed.

The hormone coil consists of a T-shaped plastic coil with a hormone depot from which progestin is continuously released. It is inserted by a gynaecologist and can remain in the body for several years if it is not previously released during menstruation. It can thicken the mucus of the female genitals, which significantly limits the motility of the sperm.

The vaginal ring is a plastic ring enriched with estrogen and progestin, which is inserted vaginally. Its mode of action is similar to the pill, although here tablets are not taken daily. However, the ring should be changed very regularly to ensure reliable protection.

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Shift your period without the pill

Contraception with natural methods of contraception is on the one hand the method with the fewest side effects, but on the other hand it is also the most risky method with regard to the safety of contraception. There are various methods of natural contraception available. The calendar method, also known as the Knaus- Ogino- contraceptive method, monitors the menstrual cycle in order to approximately predict the fertile days.

For a cycle of 28 days, an average of 5 fertile days is assumed. However, the method is considered very uncertain with a Pearl Index of 9 -30. This method is based on the change in basal body temperature during the cycle.

The basal body temperature represents the temperature when you wake up and shows fluctuations. In the first half of the cycle, the temperature is slightly lower and increases by at least 0.2°C in the second half. When ovulation occurs, the temperature rises within 48 hours.

The temperature method is reasonably safe when used correctly. However, there are factors that also influence the basal body temperature and thus lead to measurement errors. In this method, the mucus of the cervix is checked daily.

In an infertile phase, the mucus is rather thick. The secretion becomes more and more liquid as the event of ovulation approaches. After ovulation it becomes more viscous again or disappears.

However, there are also other factors that can influence the composition of the mucus, which can lead to misjudgements. Therefore the method is not necessarily safe. This method, which is also called the reddening method, takes several measurement results into account to determine the most fertile days.

The temperature on waking, the composition of the cervical mucus and changes in the cervix and cervical os are evaluated. The temperature and cervical mucus are evaluated in the same way as in the Temperature Method and Billings Method. Furthermore, the firmness of the cervix can be determined, which is rather hard and closed in the infertile days to increase safety.

When used correctly, the method offers good safety, but it should be practiced! The coitus interruptus describes a sexual act that is interrupted before ejaculation. However, the time when the male member has to be removed from the female genital depends strongly on the body control and self-assessment of the man and is therefore very uncertain with a Pearl Index of 4 – 27.