Requirements for Growth & Reproduction 2012 Contraception Requirements for Growth & Reproduction 2012

Methods of contraception take 3 forms: Preventing fertilisation Preventing implantation Terminating a pregnancy Methods involve either: Behavioural changes Physically preventing sperm & ova from meeting Chemical methods of prevention

Abstinence: 35% of schools in the USA promote abstinence programmes rather than information on contraception 88% of teenagers who sign the abstinence pledge still have pre-marital sex, but without knowledge of contraception they have high rates of STIs & pregnancies USA has the highest rate of teen pregnancy in the developed world

Withdrawal: Male withdraws before ejaculation No protection from STIs Sperm may be contained in pre-come Relies on male control

Barrier methods Male condom Female condom Diaphragm Cervical cap Also STI prevention Female condom Diaphragm Cervical cap Note: also methods like spermicidal foams or jellies, sponges, rings etc…

Condom:

Note: always use a water based lubricant (e. g Note: always use a water based lubricant (e.g. ‘KY jelly’, ‘wetstuff’), as petroleum based products (vaseline, baby oil) break down latex & increase the number of condom breakages

Femidon:

Dental dam: Latex sheets used to cover the genitals during oral sex Can be improvised by cutting up a condom or by using gladwrap!

Diaphragm:

Cervical cap:

Intra-uterine devices IUDs prevent zygotes from implanting into uterus DON’T prevent fertilisation Device stays in place for several years

IUDs:

Surgical methods Vasectomy- vas deferens is cut & ends are tied off Tubal ligation- fallopian tubes are cut & ends are tied off

Vasectomy:

Tubal ligation:

Chemical methods Synthetic hormones At present, only available for females Male contraceptive pills have two issues: Long time period for spermatogenesis Emasculating side effects

Contraceptive pill: Daily dose of synthetic oestrogen & progesterone Prevents production of pituitary hormones prevents ovulation & makes cervical mucous hostile Also used to regulate difficult periods

Mini pill: Daily dose of progesterone Suitable for breast feeding women Must be taken at exactly the same time each day Does not prevent ovulation, but makes cervical mucous ‘hostile’

Depo-provera: Synthetic hormones which prevent ovulation Can be taken as an injection every 4 months or an implant placed under the skin

Morning after pill: Can be obtained from a pharmacist without a prescription Should be taken within 72 hours Large dose of synthetic hormones Prevents ovulation and/or implantation Causes severe nausea

RU486: The ‘abortion pill’ Chemically terminates a pregnancy, resulting in a miscarriage at home Not currently legal in Australia

Termination: up to 14 weeks gestation in the ACT