Prevention of pregnancy (contraception) is understood to be all methods aimed at preventing fertilization of the egg (oocyte) by the sperm after sexual intercourse (cohabitation) has taken place.
The types of contraception
There are currently various methods of contraception (contraceptives) on the market that can either: prevent the onset of pregnancy (gravidity) An example of a hormonal contraceptive would be the pill. Chemical contraceptives are for example contraceptive sprays or contraceptive jellies. Mechanical contraception refers to condoms or diaphragms.
There are also so-called natural contraception, such as the calendar method, and sterilization, which can prevent fertilization. The “morning after pill” is also used.
- On hormonal
- On chemical or but
- On mechanical basis
How safe are the individual contraceptive methods?
How safe the individual methods of contraception are is tested in clinical studies. The reliability of a particular contraceptive method can be assessed according to the Pearl Index (PI). The Pearl Index indicates how many out of 100 women have become pregnant in a given period of time using a single specific contraceptive method.
A Pearl Index of 5, for example, means that 5 out of 100 women have become pregnant using a particular contraceptive method. The higher the Pearl Index is, the less reliable the contraceptive is. When the Pearl Index is given, however, it is usually not stated whether the number of pregnancies was due to the uncertainty of the contraceptive method itself or whether improper use of the contraceptive had an additional influence on the pregnancies. The Pearl Index should therefore be viewed critically and only as an approximate guide. Here are some Pearl Indices of the most common contraceptives listed:
- Anti- baby pill: 0,1 – 0,9
- Minipill: 0.14 – 3
- Hormone coil: 0,16
- Three-month injection: 0.3 – 1.4
- Vaginal ring: 0,65 – 1,18
- Hormone patches: 0.72 – 0.9
- Temperature method: 0.8 – 3
- Copper spiral: 0,9 – 3
- Condom: 2 – 14
- Diaphragm: 1 -20
- Spermicide: 3 – 21
- Cervical cap: 6 -30
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