Contraception

You can protect yourself against pregnancy with barrier methods or hormones. The barrier methods consist of a condom, diaphragm and coil. You get the hormones as a pill, mini pill, IUD, p-rod implant, injection, and vaginal ring. Finally, there is emergency contraception for use after unprotected intercourse. Barrier methods have the fewest side effects and is safe if you use it right, but not quite as safe as hormones. Condom for the man and the diaphragm or IUD to the woman is the most common barrier methods. The condom is a rubber sleeve, which you draw over the penis before sexual intercourse.

When deployed it gathers the semen in the condom. The method is safe if used properly, protect against STDs and is without serious side effects. The diaphragm is placed deep in the vagina before intercourse and prevents the sperm to penetrate into the uterus. The method is rather uncertain but without the side effects. A IUD in the womb is a very safe method. The most frequent side effects are severe and painful menstrual periods, which you can avoid by the use of an IUD. Hormones are used properly 100% effective contraception.

The hormones comes as pills, a ring in the vagina, a rod placed under the skin or as a spray. Side effects such as bleeding disorders, mood swings and weight gain may occur while thrombosis is a rare but serious side effect. The risk of getting a blood clot is highest in the first year. Since the effects are different depending on the type of hormone doctors should only initiate contraception with hormones associated with a consultation.

Emergency contraception used in contraceptive failure - such a burst condom, forgotten pill or mini-pill. Emergency contraception consists of pills, preferably consumed within the first 24 hours after intercourse. Emergency contraception, however, no effect up to 5 days after intercourse.