The choice of a modern contraceptive is a very difficult task, not only for a woman, but also for a man who cares about the health and psychological comfort of a loved one.
You may ask: which method will be better for me and my lifestyle? Which method protects against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?
What about usability? Possible side effects? Cost? How effective will it be?
To answer these questions, we have compiled a selection of effective modern contraceptives. We hope that she will help you make the right choice.
Important: all of the following popular contraceptives listed below (except, perhaps, condoms) require consultation with a gynecologist.
10. Interrupted sexual intercourse
This is one of the oldest methods to prevent unwanted pregnancy. The idea of PAP is that the man has time to remove the penis from the partner's vagina before ejaculation.
pros: free, can be used without special training.
Minuses: low reliability (5 out of 20 women can become pregnant using this method), reduces the quality of orgasm for men, keeps both partners in constant psychological tension, does not protect against STDs.
9. Sterilization
The average cost of such a service is 15,000 rubles
A similar operation can be done by both men and women who already have children. The operation for a woman can be performed both in a minimally invasive way (through small incisions in the abdomen), and by colpotomy access (through the vagina) or hysteroscopic - through the uterine cavity, by introducing special substances into the tubes that violate their patency.
A male operation is called a vasectomy and involves ligation or removal of a fragment of the vas deferens, through which spermatozoa “travel” from the testes directly to the male seed. A vasectomy does not affect the quality of the orgasm, erectile function, or the quality of sexual life of either the man or his partner.
pros: efficiency - 99 percent, the effect is permanent, does not affect the menstrual cycle, libido does not suffer.
Minuses: high price, many contraindications, performed under general anesthesia.
8. The contraceptive injection of Depo Provera
A similar injection costs 227 rubles
Depo Provera is an injection of medroxyprogesterone, a synthetic long-acting hormone. A woman needs to be injected every 12 weeks for a good contraceptive effect.
pros: can be used when breastfeeding, do not need to apply every day.
Minuses: used only as directed by a doctor, some women may experience severe side effects, such as mood changes, abdominal discomfort, and headaches.
7. Condoms
The average packaging price is 80 rubles.
Reliability - 98% for the male condom, 95% - for the female.
A condom is the only form of contraception for women and men that protects against most STDs and also reliably prevents pregnancy.
There are both male and female versions of condoms.
- Male condom - a thin rubber or synthetic shell that is worn on a rigid (erect) genital organ. He collects sperm and stops its entry into the vagina and uterus. You can buy condoms at the pharmacy or supermarket.
- Female condom - a soft silicone cap that is placed in the vagina before sex to close the entrance to the cervix. The cap can be used at any time, even during menstruation, and it can be washed and used again and again.
pros: This is the best protection against STDs, without hormones, you can buy not only in the pharmacy.
Minuses: May break during sex if not used properly, some people are allergic to latex condoms.
6. Birth control pills
Cost - from 500 rubles and above
Although we use the term “pill,” there are actually two main types of oral contraceptives.
- Combined
These tablets contain two hormones that prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg every month. In this case, withdrawal bleeding will begin if you stop taking the drug, but will not be as strong as regular menstruation.
A combination pill can have a beneficial effect on the body - reduce acne and relieve premenstrual syndrome.
- Progestogen-only tablets
Such tablets contain only one hormone, which acts by increasing the viscosity of the mucus at the entrance to the uterus so that sperm cells can not pass through it and fertilize the egg.
A tablet containing only a progestogen differs from a combination tablet in that it does not stop ovulation.
Gynecologists and endocrinologists will help you choose hormonal birth control pills that are perfect for you. In Russian pharmacies, they are dispensed with a prescription.
Pros of taking pills: Highly effective when used properly.
The cons include: many contraindications and side effects, you need to take pills daily, otherwise this contraceptive will not be so effective.
5. Intrauterine device
It costs from 400 to 13 696 rubles, depending on the type
This small T-shaped device fits into a woman’s uterus. There are two types of IUDs:
- copper Navy - the action lasts from five to ten years, is effective at 99.4%
- Hormonal IUD (for example, Mirena with the active substance levonorgestrel) - the effect lasts five years, is effective at 99.8%.
The IUD affects the movement and survival of sperm in the uterus, so that they cannot reach the egg for fertilization.
This is a very effective long-term contraception. However, before the introduction of the spiral, it is necessary to undergo a general and gynecological examination, conduct an examination of the pelvic organs and mammary glands, and also pass a smear from the cervix. If a woman is afraid that installing an IUD can cause discomfort, you can perform the procedure under local anesthesia.
pros: when inserted correctly, it is not felt inside, in fact - “set and forget” for a long time.
The disadvantages of the Navy include: high price, many contraindications for the hormonal spiral, frequent irregular bleeding in the first six months of use, a qualified doctor is required to install and remove.
4. The vaginal ring "NovaRing" (NuvaRing)
It costs from 1410 rubles
One of the most effective contraceptives not only in Russia, but also in other countries. The simplicity and ease of installing Novaring will be appreciated by those women who can use hormonal drugs, but do not want to take birth control pills daily.
The vaginal ring contains 15 micrograms of ethinyl estradiol and 120 micrograms of etonogestrel - the same two hormones that are found in some types of tablets. It works just like pills - it prevents ovulation. The ring is placed in the vagina and remains in place for three weeks. It is removed for one week, so that the woman has regular monthly bleeding.
If used incorrectly, NovaRinga 1 in 10 women may become pregnant.
pros: you need to enter only 1 time per month, the likelihood of side effects is lower than that of hormonal tablets, hormones do not pass through the digestive tract.
Minuses: like any hormonal contraceptive has many contraindications and side effects, it is available on prescription.
3. Birth control patch "Evra" (Evra)
Reliability - 99%
Like the vaginal ring, the Evra patch is one of the best modern methods of contraception. It contains 6 mg of norelgestromine and 600 μg of ethinyl estradiol, however, these hormones do not pass through the digestive tract, but directly into the bloodstream.
The patch should be glued to the body (on the stomach, shoulder blade, shoulder or buttocks), so that its edges are in good contact with the skin. To do this, select a site with minimal hair growth. The hormones contained in Evra interfere with the ovulation process, as well as increase the viscosity of cervical mucus and reduce the susceptibility of the endometrium to embryo formation (blastocyte).
pros: comfortable, high reliability (Pearl index - 0.90), can have a beneficial effect on the skin (less acne).
Minuses: the edges of the patch get dirty very quickly, there are many contraindications and side effects, like with any hormonal drug, it is dispensed by prescription.
2. Vaginal suppositories (suppositories) and napkins with nonoxynol
Price - from 369 rubles
Non-hormonal birth control drugs with nonoxynol are a good choice for women who for some reason cannot take hormonal drugs.
Nonoxynol inhibits sperm motility. It is necessary to use a candle 10 minutes before sexual intercourse, and after it, you can not wash your genitals with soap for 6 hours so that the contraceptive effect of nonoxynol does not decrease.
Nonoxynol wipes are also available. They are called Nonoxinol Pellicles or commonly used as “tulips” (due to the colors on the packaging). The principle of operation and the method of using napkins is the same as for vaginal suppositories. However, this contraceptive cannot be found in Russian pharmacies; you will have to search in online stores selling goods from China. It was from there that Nonoxinol Pellicles came to Russia.
pros: the product is easy to use, available without a prescription, suitable for breast-feeding women, it has bactericidal activity against chlamydia and gonococci.
Minuses: the remedy often causes a sensation of itching or burning, and both the woman and her sexual partner are not suitable for spontaneous sexual intercourse, before each new act you need to use a new suppository.
1. Contraceptive subcutaneous implant
Cost (without the services of a doctor for installation) - 11 184 rubles and above
This is not the most popular method of female contraception in Russia, but it is definitely one of the most reliable. The implant is a small plastic rod that is inserted under the skin on the inside of the shoulder.
It slowly releases a synthetic hormone that prevents ovulation. For most women, menstrual bleeding will continue, but the discharge will be scarce, and for some, menstruation will stop at all.
Some women who decide to install an implant will notice skin changes, moods, or slight weight gain.
There are two types of birth control implants:
- "Implanon" - contains 68 mg of etonogestrel. The wearing period for this product is 3 years. The length of the "Implanon" does not exceed 4.2 cm, and a diameter of about 2 mm. With the introduction, it is not necessary to make an incision, the implant gets under the skin by injection.
- Norplant - contains 36 mg of levonorgestrel. In addition to the contraceptive effect, this implant has a therapeutic effect on the body of women suffering from endometrial hyperplasia, endometriosis and uterine myoma, up to 8 weeks in size. However, the installation of Norplant requires a small incision on the skin. The contraceptive effect lasts 5 years.
pros: long duration, high reliability, may have an additional therapeutic effect.
Minuses: high price, you must consult a doctor who has experience installing and removing such implants, there are contraindications and side effects.
