Contraceptives
I could find 15 types of contraceptives, which work in different ways.
Here are the 4 most common ways:
1. Prevents an egg from being released every month
2. Prevents sperm cells from reaching the egg
3. Blocks the reproductive function
4. Prevents an egg from implanting in the uterus
The pill
The Pill is one of the most used contraceptives.
The Pill was developed in the year 1960.
It protects 95% of the time, but when used daily it protects for almost 99%!
The pill has 2 types: the combined contraceptive pill (it has estrogen and progestin in it) and the mini-pill (it has only progestin in it). If you use the mini-pill you should take it every day on the same time (not more than 3 hours difference). You need a doctor'''s prescription to buy it.
The male condom
The Male condom is the most common contraception method. It is not very expensive and it'''s easy to use. It also has the best protection against STD'''s. They are mostly made from latex but there are also other types made from a substance called Polyurethane or made from lambskin (this one doesn'''t protect against STD'''s). These types of male condoms are for people that are allergic to latex. You can'''t use the condom more than once.
The female condom
The female condom is (together with the male condom) for sale at the pharmacy without a prescription. It was introduced about 20 years ago. It gives 95% protection. It also gives some protection against STD'''s. Female condoms are more expensive than male condoms but don'''t break that easily. They can be inserted until 8 hours before sex.
The Diaphragm
The diaphragm is placed inside the vagina to stop the sperm from getting in the uterus. Unfortunately it doesn'''t protect against STD'''s. It needs to be covered in spermicide (a substance that destroys sperm) every time you use it. It needs to be inserted at least 6 hours before sex and it needs to be removed after 24 hours to clean it. It depends on the material and the type of the Diaphragm how many times it can be re-used. Mostly it can be re-used a lot of times.
The Cervical Cap – Femcap
The Cervical cap is also known as Femcap. It is a bowl-shaped latex cup. It is like a small diaphragm. It also needs to be covered in spermicide. The Cervical Cap needs to stay in the vagina for at least 6 hours after sex but has to be removed within 48 hours after the sex. Some women get cystitis (it is a bladder infection) from a diaphragm, the cervical cap is a great replacement because it only touches a small area of the vagina, it only touches the cervix. Sadly it protects less against a pregnancy than other contraceptives. It gives 92-95% protection, other contraceptives protect for 98-99%. They only protect against STD'''s for a part.
The Intrauterine Device (IUD)
There are 2 types of Intrauterine Devices/IUD'''s: one hormonal and one copper-based. These contraceptives are part of the few long-term contraceptives, this means that they stay in the vagina for 5-10 years. The IUD'''s give more than 99% protection against a Pregnancy. They don'''t protect against STD'''s. You need to visit a doctor to be able to get it.
The Contraceptive implant
The implant is also one of the long term contraceptives. It can last for about 3 years but doesn'''t protect against STD'''s, just like the IUD'''s. The implant contains progestin, just like the pill. The implant is placed inside the arm, it has to be placed/removed every 3 years by a healthcare specialist. It is more effective than the pill, it is around 99.99%.
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The Contraceptive sponge
The spong is a small circle made out of foam (polyurethane). It is placed deep in the vagina and contains spermicide. This holds the sperm away from the foam. The sponge has to remain in the vagina for a minimum amount of 6 hours. It has to be removed within 24 hours after the sex. The sponge doesn'''t protect against a pregnancy after those 24 hours and it also doesn'''t protect against STD'''s. It is used as backup for other contraceptives. You can get it at the pharmacy without a prescription.
Spermicide
Spermicide is a '''ingredient''' in some contraceptives. It is very effective when you use it together with other methods like the diaphragm or the sponge. It isn'''t a good way to prevent a pregnancy because it is used inconsistent and it also doesn'''t protect against STD'''s. You can buy it without a prescription because it only has a few side-effects.
Contraceptive Injections
Injections have an effectiveness rate of 99%. Every time you get a bit of progesterone in your body it can'''t be reversed, you will be infertile for the next 3 months. Just like the pill it doesn'''t protect against STD'''s.
The Vaginal Ring
The Vaginal Ring is a transparent plastic ring. It is small as well. It has to be inserted in the vagina and it has to stay there for 3 weeks. You should remove it during your periods and you have to put a new one in after removing it. The ring contains progesterone and estrogen. You need a doctor'''s prescription to be able to get it. Again, this one also doesn'''t protect against STD'''s.
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The Contraceptive Patch
The contraceptive patch is the same as the pill but it is a patch. It has the same amount of protection and the same side effects as the pill. This one also doesn'''t protect against STD'''s. You have to wear the patch 3 weeks and take it off for 1 week. This allows your menstrual cycle to go on. Then after that has happened you use another one. The patch is easier to use than the pill because you don'''t have to take the pill every day. Sometimes you can get a skin irritation, or the patch accidentally comes off.
Emergency Contraception
Emergency contraception is a contraceptive that is used after you have had unprotected sex. The most famous emergency contraceptive is the morning after pill. You should take it within 24 hours after the unprotected sex (then it gives over 95% protection). When you use it later the effectiveness will drop. After 3 days the effectiveness is less than 50%. If you have taken one and you vomit within 3 hours after you took it, you will have to take another one.
Sterilization
Sterilization is for men and women. For males they will try tying off, or cutting the tubes that carry sperm without a scalpel. The man can go home the same day. There is a small chance that the tubes grow back and the women still gets pregnant, but this chance is less than 1%. Of course it doesn'''t protect against STD'''s.
For females they will be given them a choice: surgical or non-surgical. Surgical means that there are small cuts in the belly to be able to access the Fallopian tubes, they cut and tie them so they can'''t link the ovaries with the uterus anymore. Non-surgical sterilization means that they put a coil in both of the Fallopian tubes. That way scars appear and start blocking the tubes. It may take up to 3 months to block the tubes entirely, so you have to use another contraceptive in the meantime. Both of the options for the females give more than 99% protection (in some cases the blocked tubes grow back: 1 out of the 200 females). The sterilization is for the rest of your life for both men as woman.
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STD'''s
Chancroid
Chancroid is an infection. You can get the infection by sexual contacts or even by touching the skin of an infected person. Most people that feel sores are men. They feel the sores on the penis and other genital areas. You can easily cure it by using some antibiotics. In order to not get the infection you should use a condom. You should still keep in mind that only the touching of an infected person can be enough to get the infection.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is one of the most spread STD'''s. If you don'''t treat it in time or don'''t treat it efficiently, it might lead to serious complications. This infection is most found on woman. At some females the infection causes difficulties with peeing, while at other females there are no symptoms at all. It is important to treat Chlamydia in time, because it can damage the uterus, fallopian tubes and the rest of the reproductive system. It may even cause infertility. Just like other STD'''s Chlamydia can be prevented by using condoms and having only 1 partner.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is mostly found in people that are (less than) 24 years old. Gonorrhea is difficult to diagnose. Men feel like their pee is burning, and have pain in the testicles. Most woman don'''t feel any symptoms. Gonorrhea needs to be treated as fast as possiblem. It can lead to genital,rectal or throat infections. Woman can also get infertile. It is easy to treat Gonorrhea while it is only in yout body for a short period of time.
Hepatitis
Hepatitis B & C lead to a liver disease that may end up in death. It is transferred throught body fluids and blood. This makes it easy to get during unprotected sex or while sharing injection needles with an infected person. The first symptoms are: general sickness, nausea, vomiting, fever and dark urine. If you don'''t do anything about it it is possible for the Hepatitis to turn into Chronic hepatitis. The people that are most likely to get this disease are: Unvaccinated people, gay men, drug users and people that live together with an infected person.
Herpes
Herpes is one of the most seen diseases. It is transmitted through sexual contact, as well as just touching. Oral herpes can cause blisters or cold sores inside the mouth or on the lips.
Most of the time, the virus gives no symptoms at all. When you have it in your body there is no cure to get rid of it.
HIV/AIDS
HIV stands for: Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is the most dangerous STD. The syndrome you get from HIV is called AIDS which means: Acquired ImmunoDefiency Syndrome. The virus damages your immune system. That is why you can eventually die from any other disease. You can get AIDS from blood, body fluids and even breast milk. The people that have the lol biggest chance of getting infected are the male gay couples and drug users sharing needles. You can avoid getting the disease by using condoms and having a permanent partner.
HPV
HPV stands for: Human PapillomaVirus. They can lead to (genital)warts but don'''t cause much damage. They disappear in a short period of time without medicines. Mostly they remain unnoticed.
Molluscum Contagiosum
Molluscum Contagiosum is a virus. It attacks the skin and is transmitted through sexually and casual skin contacts. And it is also transmitted through clothing and towels. The symptoms include itching and small round bumps around the genital area. The infection is not dangerous and goes away in a few years without having to take medicines.
NGU
NGU stands for: NonGonococcal Urethritis. It is an urethra infection that is caused by several bacteria. Some symptoms are: a milky substance from the penis and '''burning pee'''. Sometimes there are no symptoms at all.if you don'''t do anything about it it may spread to the testicles and cause pain or even infertility. The best you can do to protect yourself for this infection is protected sex and only having 1 partner.
PID
PID stands for: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. It is a serious infection. You can get it from not treating Gonorrhea or Chlamydia (Read in the beginning of the STD'''s what they are). It affects the reproductive organs of a woman such as the: fallopian tubes, uterus or ovaries. In early stages it doesn'''t show any symptoms but, when not treated it may cause infertility, ectopic pregnancy
(which means that the fertilized egg cell doesn'''t settle in the uterus but in the fallopian tubes), abnormal periods, painful feelings around the vagina, vomiting and nausea. It is smart to have yourself examined by a doctor on regular basis to prevent this disease.
Public Lice
Public Lice is also known as crabs, they are small parasites living in (genital) hair and skin. They can cause itching, irritation, a mild fever or may have no symptoms at all. It is often easy to see white eggs from the lice or the lice themselves by only using the eye. Most of the time they are spread during sex or other close skin contacts. You can easily get rid of them by using medicines.
Scabies
Scabies is a condition of the skin. It involves: intense itching, rash or small bumps. It is caused by tiny parasites that are digging into the skin. The person that is infected can be unaware of his/her problem. A visit to the doctor is needed to notice the infection. Scabies are transmitted during sexual contacts and other contacts where the skin of the infected person touches the skin of a healthy person or just sharing bedding or towels.
Syphilis
Syphilis is a very dangerous STD. it is caused by the Treponema Pallidum bacterium. It is transmitted during sexual contacts and is difficult to notice. Some symptoms are: small sores, cuts or bumps on your mouth or genitals. After that rash on your palms, feet, and other parts of your body can appear. If you don'''t treat it for a long time it will start destroying some body functions. It can lead to mental, neurological problems, hart diseases, blindness and even death. Protected sex is the best way to prevent getting it.
Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis is an extremely widespread infection. It is hard to notice because it doesn'''t show many symptoms, especially in men. In woman they might feel weird vaginal discharge, itching or swelling in the genital area or painful urinating. It is easy to treat and also easy to prevent from getting by the use of condoms.
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