Contraception In Women: Methods, Mechanisms, And Health Benefits

Contraception In Women: Methods, Mechanisms, And Health Benefits

Family planning methods in females. (or) Oral contraceptives. (or) Contraceptive methods in women. (or) Write short notes on physiological basis of contraceptive pills. (or) List any four methods of contraceptives in females.

Answer:

Contraceptive measures are used to prevent pregnancy.

• It include temporary as well as permanent measures.
• Following are methods used in females.

1. Conventional methods:

1. Use of diaphragm on the cervix.
   • Diaphragm covers the cervix and prevents entry of sperm into uterus.
   • But it may cause local infection if left in the vagina.
2. Use of douches, spermicidal jellies and creams.
   • It consists of a small polyurethane foam sponges saturated with spermicide. It causes destruction of sperms.
   • It is applied in female genital tract before coitus.
     Disadvantges:
   • Causes burning sensation locally.
3. Rhythm method or calendar method.
   • Pregnancy can be avoided if there is no sexual intercourse during the safe priod.
   • But because of the practical difficulties, this method is not popular.

2. Tubetomy:

• It is a procedure of bilateral ligation of the fallopian tubes.
• It prevents entry of ovum into uterus.
• The operation is done through vaginal orifice by abdominal incision.

Advantage:

• Safe, convenient and permanent means of preventing pregnancy.

3. Intrauterine device (IUD):

• Implantation of a foreign body into the uterine cavity for contraceptive purposes is called intrauterine device.

Mechanism:

• It accelerates the passage of the fertilized ovum through the uterus and thus prevents its implantation.
• It disturbs the changes occurring in endometrium during menstrual cycle.

Types:

1. Non-medicated IUD – Example: Lippes 1000.
   • It is non-toxic, non-tissue reactive.
2. Copper IUD.
   • Example: Copper T.
   • Decreases sperm motility.
3. Hormone releasing IUD.
   • Filled with progesterone.
   • Make endometrium unfavourable for implantation.

4. Contraceptive pills:

• They are used to prevent maturation of follicles and ovulation.
• It acts by suppressing the secretion of gonadotropins from pituitary.
• The commonly employed contraceptive pills are.
  1. Classical or combined pills:
     Composition:
     • Orally active progesterone mild dose
     • Estrogen – in moderate dose
     • Sechedule of medication:
     • From 5th to 25th day of menstrual cycle.
     • Mechanism:
     • Intake of pills causes increase in the amount of estrogen and progesterone.
     • This inhibits the secretion of LH.
     • Which in turn inhibits ovulation.
     • Moreover, progesterone increases the thickness of cervix which is unfavourable for sperm penetration.
  2. Sequential pills:
     • It contains.
       • High dose of estrogen.
       • Moderate dose of progesterone.
     • Schedule:
     • From 5th to 20th day of menstrual cycle then from 23rd to 28th day.
     • Mechanism:
     • Inhibits ovulation by suppressing the release of FSH and LH.
  3. Mini or micropill:
     • Contains low dose of progesterone
     • Taken throughout menstrual cycle.
     • Mechanism:
     • Progesterone increases thickness of cervix.
     • Inhibits transport of sperms.
     • Decreases motility of fallopian tubes.
  4. Morning after piles:
     • Schedule:
     • Within 48 hours of unprotected intercourse.
     • 2 pills immediately.
     • Followed by another 2 pills afte 12 hours.
     • Disadvantages of contraceptive pills:
     • Risk of thrombo-emboli formation.
     • Precipitate diabetes mellitus.
     • Increases systemic arterial BP.
     • Needs regular intake.
     • Inhibits anticogulants production in liver.
     • May develop carcinoma of endometrium in long-term.