Simple misuse of contraception, how a little knowledge goes a long way!

Simple misuse of contraception, how a little knowledge goes a long way!

There are many contraceptive methods around which are misused by couples as a result of a simple misunderstanding.  What many women fail to realize is that the window of time where they're at risk of becoming pregnant is relatively small and therefore, using contraception day in and day out is not entirely necessary.

For example, if a woman is not using a pill, patch, coil or any other type of hormonal contraception, she will actually only be fertile for 18-24 hours per cycle when she ovulates.  Since sperm can survive up to 5 days, intercourse 5 days prior to ovulation could fertilise an egg so we have  a fertility window of  6 days per cycle.  


In order to avoid pregnancy during those 6 days, the woman should either abstain from sex or use a barrier contraceptive.  

Most people who use barrier contraceptive tend to use them on each day of their cycle, even on the 20-22 days when there's no risk of becoming pregnant, when they actually only need to be used during their Fertility Window.

Contraceptive Monitors help you identify your Fertility Window, those 6-8 days per cycle when intercourse could lead to pregnancy. 

Click here to read on and learn how they do it and how they can help you take control of your contraception.  




 

Switching from a Diaphragm to the Femcap

We found a great blog post about one woman's switch from using diaphragms to the FemCap. Like many other women who have made the same switch, this user found the diaphragm to be inconvenient at times, especially when they had to change sizes. Unlike the diaphragm, the size of your femcap is determined by your birth history, so you use the same size until you give birth, then switch to a new size once you've had your baby.

Most FemCap users find it be more user-friendly and comfortable than the diaphragm. It's smaller, more modern and comes in a more conspicuous carrying case. Like the diaphragm, it can be used with ContraGel, the natural alternative to spermicide instead of the more generic, harsher spermicides that contain Nonoxynol-9.

Check out her story!

I've been a diaphragm user for most of my adult life and over the past few years, I've found it increasingly hard to get a hold of. I assume the difficulty can be attributed to the popularity of hormonal birth control and how prevelant it is in our society today. I found my last diaphragm about a year ago from this site:www.buydiaphragms.com. I was really happy with the diaphragm and the process of ordering online (which I was a little apprehensive to do at first). But last week, I went to my gynaecologist and she told me I needed to move up a size. I was a bit bummed because I wasn't planning on having to buy another diaphragm for a while. Then, my gynocologist told me about something called a FemCap, which is a cervical cap for women, which size is only dependent on a woman's birth history, which is more straight forward than the sizing of diaphragms. (it only changes if/after you give birth)

Read her full post here!

Barrier Contraceptives

Barrier contraceptives have been making a comeback in recent years with the use of condoms being promoted to combat HIV and AIDS and also as more women turn their back on the pill and look for non-hormanal alternatives. With the introduction of natural alternatives to spermicide such as Contragel and the replacement of latex with silicone, barrier contraceptives are becoming popular once again.

The widespread use of latex in the 1950's was a huge leap forward in barrier contraception. Condoms became widely available all over the world and women were able to take control of their own contraception using diaphragms. After a while, pharmaceutical companies realised that monthly pills would bring in more revenue than diaphragms, which only have to be purchased once a year.

This reaslisation coupled with more and more people recognizing latex allergies, allergies related to chemical spermicides and Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) brought about the rise in hormonal contraception. As a result, barrier contraception became less popular and experienced a steady decline, now that's all starting to change. Could barrier contraceptives be right for you?

Choosing the right barrier contraceptive is often as difficult as choosing the right contraceptive method in the first place. There are many factors to consider and it’s completely dependent on your individual needs and lifestyle.

Choosing barrier contraception in the first place is actually only one part of your possible fertility strategy. It should be remembered that intercourse only has the risk of pregnancy for about 6 days per cycle during your Fertility Window. A healthy egg is only fertilisable for 18-24 hours and sperm can't survive for more than 5 days inside of you so that span of 6 day (5 days before ovulation and the day of ovulation) are really the only time when barrier contraception needs to be used for pregnancy protection.

Remember, for the purpose of contraception you need only use barrier contraceptives during your Fertility Window, the 6-8 days per cycle when intercourse could lead to pregnancy. Click here to learn more about identifying your Fertility Window for contraception

Read on to learn about the different barrier contraceptives available and learn which one is right for you.

Cervical Caps, Diaphragms, Condoms or Contraceptive Sponges?

If you have used spermicide in the past, you know that it is most effective when used in conjunction with contraceptive barriers. Spermicide can be used with cervical caps, diaphragms, and condoms. These types of barrier contraceptives are usually made with latex or more recently silicon, which works well for people who experience adverse reactions to latex based products.

About Cervical Caps

The cervical cap is a form of barrier contraception that fits snugly over the cervix and blocks sperm from entering the uterus through the external orifice of the uterus. The external orifice of the uterus is called the os. One of the most popular types of cervical caps is Fempcap. Femcap is made with medical grade silicon rubber, which is perfect for users who experience adverse reactions to latex. As of February 2009, after Prentif Cap was discontinued, FemCap was the only FDA approved cervical cap available in the United States.

Lea's Shield was a cervical barrier device which was discontinued in 2008. Some sources use ‘cervical cap’ to refer to FemcCap and Lea’s Shield while others classify Lea’s Sheild as a distinct type of device. Terminology on different sites can be confusing, so make sure you understand which device is being referred to in your research.

All cervical caps must be used in conjunction with a spermicide in order to be effective. Because of it's chemical-free, all natural ingredients, Ethical Family Planning recommends the use of ContraGel Green, the natural alternative to spermicide.

About Diaphragms

The diaphragm is shaped like a dome with a spring molded into the rim and is made of silicone or soft latex. The spring creates a seal against the walls of the vagina. As is the case with cervical caps, many women prefer silicon based diaphragms because of allergic or adverse reactions to latex.

According to contraceptive technology, the method failure rate of the diaphragm used with spermicide is 6% per year. Annual pregnancy rates of 10 to 39% of diaphragm users have also been reported. These however vary greatly between the populations being studied. One of the most interesting things to consider about diaphragms is that they are as equally effective for women who have given birth as they are for women who have not. This is a characteristic unique to diaphragms when compared to other forms of cervical barriers.

Using diaphragms has been known to increase the risk of contracting urinary tract infections (UTIs). Urinating before inserting the diaphragm and also after intercourse may reduce this risk. The increased risk of UTIs may be due to the diaphragm applying pressure to the urethra, which is common if the diaphragm is too large. This causes irritation by preventing the bladder from emptying completely. However, the spermicide nonoxynol-9 is itself associated with an increased risk of UTI, yeast infection, and bacterial vaginosis. For this reason, some advocate the use of lactic acid based spermicides, which may have fewer side effects.

For women who experience side effects from nonoxynol-9, some sources have suggested using diaphragms without spermicide. One study reported a 24% rate of actual pregnancy per year among women using the diaphragm without spermicide. The women in this study were not fitted individually by a clinician and were instead all given a 60mm diaphragm. There haven’t been enough studies to recommend using diaphragms without spermicide, so you should still use both products together for maximum protection. We suggest the use of ContraGen Green, especially for women who experience irritation as a result of nonoxynol-9.

Diaphragms also come with the risk of experiencing toxic shock syndrome (TSS) however the actual chance of this happening is quite low. Out of 100,000 diaphragm users, 2.4 will experience TSS. This happens almost exclusively when the diaphragm is left inside the vagina for over 24 hours.

Those allergic to latex are advised against using latex diaphragms. There are only a few non-latex diaphragms available on the market. One of the most popular silicon based diaphragm brands is Milex.

About Condoms

A condom is one of the most popular barrier devices on the market. It is a contraceptive used during intercourse, most often by males, to avoid pregnancy. A condom can also be used to reduce the risk of spreading or contracting sexual transmitted diseases (STDs) such as HIV, chlamydia and syphillis. Condoms are placed over a man’s erect penis and act as a physical barricade, preventing ejaculated semen from entering the body of the man’s sexual partner.

Male condoms are user-friendly, inexpensive, have few side effects and can reduce the risk of transmitting STDs. When used properly during each act of intercourse, the pregnancy rate of users is only 2% per year.
Because of their elasticity, durability, and waterproof quality, condoms can be used for other things unrelated to contraception. For example, condoms can be used to create waterproof microphones and also to collect semen for use in an infertility treatment. They can even prevent rifle barrels from clogging.

Some male condoms are made with materials such as polyurethane, polyisoprene or lamb intestine, but the vast majority are made from latex. Female condoms on the other hand, are most often made with polyurethane.

Some condoms come pre-lubricated with a small amount of nonoxynol-9 spermicide chemical. Consumer Reports have concluded that these spermicide-lubricated condoms don’t actually offer any additional benefits when it comes to preventing pregnancy. They also have a shorter lifespan than regular condoms and are believed to cause urinary-tract infections in women. On the other hand, applying separately packaged spermicide to condoms is believed to increase a condom’s efficiency.

The failure rate of condoms varies depending on the population being studied and has been reported to be around 10-18% per year. The pregnancy rate of condoms used perfectly is 2% per year. For maximum protection, condoms may be used with other forms of contraception, such as spermicide.

About Contraceptive Sponges

Contraceptive sponges prevent contraception by combining barrier and spermicidal methods. These sponges cannot be reused or refilled and must be disposed of after use. The leading brands of contraceptive sponges on the market today are Pharmatex, Protectaid and Today sponge. Pharmax is available in France and Quebec; Protectaid in Canada and Europe; while Today is sold in the United States.

The Today sponge manufacturer reports a success rate of 89% to 91% for users who practice contraception with the sponge consistently and correctly. The success rate of users who do not follow the directions on the package prior to intercourse drop to 84% to 89%. Other sources report lower effectiveness for women who have given birth in comparison with those who have not (74% for perfect use and 68% during typical use).

The effectiveness of typical use of Protectaid has been reported at 77% to 91%, while perfect use has rates of over 99% per year. Studies of Pharmatex have shown typical use success rates of 81% per year. To further increase the effectiveness of condoms, implementing another method of birth control such as condoms could be beneficial.

Unlike Protectaid and Pharmatex sponges which come ready to use, you must run the Today sponge under water until it´s completely wet before insertion. Each sponge may be inserted 24 hours before intercourse. In order to be effective, it must be left in place for at least six hours after intercourse. Contraceptive sponges should not be worn for more than 30 hours straight.

The contraceptive sponge acts as a physical barrier that prevents sperm from entering the cervix and going into the female reproductive system. Spermicide is an essential component of practicing contraception with sponges and each brand is manufactured using a different kind of spermicide.

The Today sponge contains 1,000 milligrams of nonoxynol-9. Protectaid contains 5,000 mg of F-5 gel, which contains three active ingredients (6.25 mg of nonoxynol-9, 6.25 mg of benzalkonium chloride, and 25 mg of sodium cholate). Pharmatex contains 60 mg of benzalkonium chloride. The abundance of nonxynol-9 is often a concern of potential users. If you've experienced any adverse reactions to nonoxynol-9 spermicide before, you will most likely be irritated by sponges and should therefore consider an alternative form of barrier contraceptives such as the cervical cap in conjunction with ContraGel.

Women who use the sponge have an increased risk of contracting yeast and urinary tract infections. Leaving the sponge in for over thirty hours can cause toxic shock syndrome, therefore it´s extremely important to use sponges with proper care and attention. If you experience any averse reactions to the sponge, you may be allergic to spermicide and should seek medical attention before continuing use.

Have a look at our video below and articles on Fertility Awareness, the Sypto-Thermal method of contraception and Contraceptive Monitors like Cyclotest to learn more about natural contraception and fertility.

Choosing a Contraceptive Method

There is no single form of birth control that is ideal for all women of all ages. The best form of birth control really depends on the individual.

For example, the priorities of women in their late teens vary greatly from women in their thirties. Women in stable relationships are usually less likely to be at risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in contrast to younger, single women, therefore their preferred method of birth control may differ.

When choosing a method of contraception, the most important aspect to be sure of is that it works well for you and your lifestyle. If your chosen form of birth control is easily integrated into your life, the risk of complications or inconveniences is greatly reduced. Often, women practice several forms of birth control throughout their fertile lives because their lifestyles change.

It is always recommended to speak with your doctor, family planning consultant and partner before starting any new form of contraception.

Barrier Methods of Contraception

Barrier methods of contraception refer to objects which put a physical impediment between the sperm and the female reproductive track. Of all the barrier methods available, male condoms are most popular. Condoms are latex or polyurethane sheaths which are placed over the penis prior to intercourse. The less popular female version of the condom is also made of polyurethane and has one flexible ring at each end. One of these secure behind the pubic bone to hold the condom in place and the other stays outside the vagina.

Other forms of female barrier contraceptives are cervical barriers, contraceptive sponges and cervical caps. Cervical barriers are contained within the vagina and contraceptive sponges are kept in place over the cervix.

The smallest cervical barrier is the cervical cap. Normally, the cap stays in place by attaching itself to the cervix or vaginal walls using suction. Diaphragms fit behind a woman’s pubic bone. They have a flexible ring which helps keep it in place against the vaginal walls. For extra protection, spermicide may be placed inside the vagina before intercourse when using diaphragms. Spermicide may also be used alone, without a diaphragm, to create a chemical barrier or in conjunction with another physical barrier.

Hormonal Contraceptives

Hormonal contraceptives come in many forms and are generally made up of of synthetic oestrogens and progestins (synthetic progestogens). The most common of these include oral contraceptive pill (‘the pill’), the patch, the contraceptive vaginal ring (‘NuvaRing’) and a monthly injection such as Lunelle, which is not currently available for use in the USA.

Other forms of hormonal birth control only contain a progestin (synthetic progestogen). The progesterone only pill (also know as POP or ‘minipill’) is one of the most popular among these types of birth control. The progesterone pill differs from the ‘the pill’ in that it must be taken at much more precise times in order to be effective. Other common forms of progestin contraceptives include tri-monthly injections (Depo Provera, which is a depot formulation of medroxyprogesterone acetate adminstered as an intramuscular injection), Noristerat (Norethindrone acetate administered as an intramuscular injection every 8 weeks) and contraceptive implants. These forms of progestin-only contraception may cause irregular bleeding.

Intrauterin Methods - The Coil

Intrauterin methods refer to contraceptive devices which are placed inside the uterus and are usually shaped like the letter ‘T’. The arms on of the ‘T’ hold the device in place. Frame-less intrauterin devices (IUDs), such as GyneFix, are also available and are less likely to cause complications. The two main types of IUDs are those that release progestin (a synthetic progestogen) and those that contain copper.

Because there are ten types of copper IUDs in the UK and only one in the US, the terminology to describe these devices differ between the two countries. In the United States, all devices placed in the uterus to prevent pregnancy are referred to as intrauterine devices (IUDs) or intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCDs). In the UK, only copper containing devices are referred to as IUDs (or IUCDs). Hormonal intrauterine contraceptives are called Intra-Uterine System (IUS).

Coitus Interruptus

'Coitus Interruptus’ literally translates to ‘interrupted sexual intercourse’ and is also referred to as the withdrawal or pull-out method. Coitus Interruptus is accomplished by ending sexual intercourse (pulling out) before ejaculation and involves certain risks. First, the man may not complete the maneuver on time or he may do it incorrectly. Concern has been raised in the past concerning the risk of pregnancy from pre-ejaculate sperm, but several small studies have failed to find any viable sperm in the fluid.

Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM)

The Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) can only be practiced by new mothers who are currently lactating. In order to save the strength of a new mother, the body was designed to switch off fertility after birth so the new mother could breast feed the child without the added stress of periods.

According to a Planned Parenthood study conducted in 2005, for women who meet the following criteria, LAM is 98% - 99.5% effective during the first six months after pregnancy.

The infant must obtain all of its nutrients (or almost all) from breastfeeding.

Pumping instead of nursing and feeding formula to infants reduce the effectiveness of LAM.

The infant must be breastfeed every four hours during the day and every six hours at night.

The infant must be less than 6 years old.

The mother must not have had a period for 56 days after giving birth (when determining fertility, bleeding prior to 56 days postpartum can be ignored).

Fertility Awareness for Contraception

Like LAMs, Symptoms-based Fertility Awareness Methods (FAM) are natural ways to practice contraception. FAMs involve a woman observing and monitoring her body’s fertility symptoms in order to determine the fertile and infertile days of her cycle. In order to monitor correctly, a women must record the fertility signs manually or by using software.

When a women measures her basal body temperature in combination with an additional indicator of fertility, she is implementing what is known as the ‘symptothermal’ method of contraception.

Many women choose to employ the assistance of contraceptive monitors when practicing this form of contraception. Contraceptive monitors are tiny computers which identify the fertile and non-fertile phase of a woman’s cycle by measuring body temperature or analysing urine.

Contraception is also practiced using calender-based methods such as the standard days method and the rhythm method. These practices use the length of past menstrual cycles to predict the likelihood of fertility.

In order for FAM to work as an effective form of contraception, many people choose to abstain from unprotected sex or use physical barrier methods of contraception, such as condoms, during their fertile periods.

Natural Family Planning (NFP) is often associated with FAM, and specifically refers to forms of contraception permitted by the Roman Catholic Church.

FAMs are often used by those practicing NFP in order to identify their fertile and non fertile phases of their cycle.

Conclusion

Now that you have a better understanding of all the different forms of contraception available, choosing the one that’s right for you should be less challenging. Remember that there are many things to consider before choosing a method of contraception and you should always consult your doctor before starting any kind of regime.