1- Contraceptive implant
It is a soft, flexible rod that is incorporated under the skin of your upper arm. It releases hormone progesterone into our blood stream to provide reliable and efficient way of protection against pregnancy.
It is easy to install, provide protection for three years and is a reversible method of contraception making it an excellent choice of birth control.
What are the benefits of using implant?
- It is effective over 99%.
- Ideal choice for women who cannot remember taking pills at the same time every day.
- There would be no harm to your fertility while using the implant.
- The implant is safe for breastfeeding women.
What are drawbacks of implant?
- It may disturb monthly cycle of menstruation.
- It may cause spotting (light bleeding) or heavy periods.
- It may boost the development of acne. But it has also been reported for improving the acne.
- Causes side effects like tenderness of breast, mood swings, headache and nausea.
2- Contraceptive injection
This is long-acting, hormonal birth control method for women. In this method, you receive a shot of progesterone on every three months recurrently, and don’t need to go for any other contraceptive method.
Most popular brand for this birth control shot Depo-Provera® (depot medroxyprogesterone acetate) or simply Depo shot which is injected by a healthcare provider into your buttocks or arms.
It is above 99% effective in off-putting the pregnancy and remains active for more or less 14 weeks in your body.
What are the advantages of contraceptive injections?
- Top of the list is the convenience of use. You don’t have to remember taking it daily and also you are free of any efforts of placing it into vagina or under the skin.
- It may stop your periods or you may experience lighter bleeding during its use.
- It is safe for breastfeeding women
- It is not influenced by the impact of any antibiotic and health issues like vomiting or diarrhoea.
What are drawbacks of contraceptive injections?
- The most common side effect of these injections is disturbance of your regular menstruation cycle. Periods become unpredictable, less frequent and with light bleeding. This condition may be recovered after you stop getting injections, and will take almost one year for your cycle get back to normal routine.
- These injections are often stigmatized for causing weight gain in women. This is because it increases your appetite and causes fluid retention.
- Progesterone is responsible to cause or worsen the acne.
- Mood swings and headaches are also complains associated with these injections.
- You can’t get rid of these side effects until the injected hormones stay in your body i.e. for 8-13 weeks.
In summary, it is of the most convenient method of contraception and can be adopted at any age. It provides effective protection against pregnancy and can be reversed any time for letting you get pregnant.
3- The contraceptive coil
The contraceptive coil may be of two types:
- One is made up of copper and is well-known as intra uterine device (IUD), commonly used for contraception.
- Other is intra uterine system (IUS) which is a rubber coil and possess hormone progestin. It is also called hormonal coil.
Both coils are T-shaped devices placed in your womb, where IUS releases hormone to stop ovulation and thicken cervical mucus. Whereas, IUD releases copper instead of hormone and work exactly like a contraceptive.
The coils remain active for 5-10 years in your body and are over 99% effective in limiting the pregnancy.
How the coil is inserted?
The coil insertion requires expert medical professionals. You can get the service at contraception clinics, GP surgeries and sexual health clinics. The healthcare provider will insert the coil into the uterus through cervix. It may feel little uncomfortable. You may experience period like cramping and light spotting after coil insertion.
Side effects associated with a coil?
- Your monthly cycle may be altered and become unpredictable.
- Problems like headache, breast tenderness, acne and mood swings may happen with hormonal coil.
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