WHAT ARE MECHANICAL BIRTH CONTROL METHODS? - GEOGRAFÍA - 2024

The barrier contraception, also known as barrier contraceptives, are devices that create a physical barrier between the sperm and ovum. These types of contraceptives are used to prevent pregnancy and certain sexually transmitted diseases.

This type of contraceptive method is a good option if you do not want to use hormones or do not want to insert an intrauterine device. Unlike other methods, mechanical contraceptives do not restrict when sexual intercourse occurs.

Contraceptive methods are the tools you have to prevent pregnancy. There are several types of birth control, including condoms, the rhythm method, birth control pills, and intrauterine devices, among others.

When talking about the effectiveness of a contraceptive method, sometimes there are different values ​​when they are used "ideally"; this means exactly the way they were designed against how a person commonly uses it.

One of the advantages of mechanical contraceptives is that they do not affect the future fertility of men and women. These methods are only used in the sexual act and do not interfere with the lifestyle of those involved.

Additionally, they do not affect health conditions and many are available without the need for a prescription. The main disadvantage is that the failures in effectiveness of these contraceptives are usually higher than for other contraceptive methods.

List of mechanical contraceptives

Male condoms

The male condom is probably the most popular mechanical contraceptive method in the world. A condom is a covering designed to cover an erect penis.

It works by providing a barrier between the individuals involved in a sexual relationship; This means that bodily fluids, such as semen or blood, are not shared.

As a result, pregnancy and reproductive tract infections, including HIV and AIDS, can be prevented.

Most condoms are made of latex. Some condoms are covered with a dry lubricant or spermicide. There is also a great variety in sizes, shapes, colors and textures.

When used consistently and correctly, condoms can be quite effective in preventing pregnancy. The frequency of pregnancies for couples who use a condom in each sexual relationship is around 3% for the first year of use.

Condoms that have expired or are damaged in their packaging should never be used as they are not effective.

When the package is opened, care should be taken not to tear or cause any opening in the condom. One of the advantages of this method is that fertility returns as soon as the condom is removed.

For condoms to be effective, they must be placed before the first genital contact and must be used until the end of the sexual act. Additionally, they must be replaced after each intercourse.

Female condoms

A female condom is a thin, flexible plastic tube that is placed inside the vagina. A soft ring on the closed part of the tube covers the cervix during sexual intercourse and keeps it inside the vagina.

Another ring on the open part of the tube stays outside the vagina and partially covers the labia area.

The female condom helps protect people from pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections; it is the only female contraceptive method that includes protection against sexually transmitted diseases.

Male and female condoms should not be used at the same time. The friction generated can cause breakage or slippage, eliminating the contraceptive effect of both methods.

Like the male condom, the female condom provides a barrier between individuals during sex, so that body fluids are not shared. This makes it possible for you to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

Female condoms can be inserted up to eight hours before intercourse and are only effective when placed before intercourse. It must be ensured that the condom is not turned over and that the closed ring covers the cervix.

This method is a good alternative for people allergic to latex, since female condoms are almost always made of plastic.

Diaphragm

This barrier method is a small, dome-shaped, latex cup that has a flexible ring that fits over the cervix.

This tool acts as a physical barrier against the entry of sperm into the uterus. Diaphragms are commonly used with spermicides.

Although diaphragms have a relatively high failure of effectiveness, they are a good contraceptive option for women who cannot use other methods due to their health or lifestyle.

It should be washed with soap and water after each use and can remain in the vagina for up to 24 hours after insertion. It is recommended to replace the diaphragm every two years for greater effectiveness.

Intrauterine device

Intrauterine devices are contraceptive objects, usually T-shaped, that are inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. They are quite effective and safe; once removed, even after long-term use, fertility returns to normal.

They can be hormonal as well as non-hormonal. Copper devices prevent fertilization. Copper acts as a spermicide inside the uterus; its presence increases the levels of copper ions, prostaglandin, and white cells within the uterus and tubal fluids.

Sponge

It is a sponge that blocks the cervix so that semen cannot enter; it is usually used with a spermicide. It can be inserted immediately before intercourse or up to 24 hours before. It is left inserted into the vagina for about 6 hours after intercourse.

The sponge is less effective in women who have given birth vaginally. For women who have never given birth vaginally, the degree of effectiveness is around 9-12 women out of 100 who become pregnant in the first year of sponge use.

Instead, after giving birth this number increases to 20-24 women. This is due to changes in the cervix after a vaginal delivery.

References

1. Birth control. Recovered from webmd.com.
2. Barrier contraceptive methods. Recovered from open.edu.
3. Intrauterine device. Recovered from wikipedia.org.
4. Barrier methods of birth control. Recovered from webmd.com.
5. Iud with cooper. Recovered from wikipedia.org.
6. Sponge. Recovered from webmd.com.