Contraception is a crucial aspect of reproductive health, offering various methods to prevent unintended pregnancies and manage family planning. It empowers individuals and couples to make informed decisions about when and if they want to have children. From hormonal options like birth control pills to barrier methods such as condoms and long-term solutions like IUDs, there is a diverse range of choices to suit different needs and lifestyles. Understanding these methods and their effectiveness ensures safe and effective use, contributing to better health outcomes and greater control over reproductive choices. Hyderabad-based gynaecologist Niharica Sharma discusses the dos and don’ts of using contraception that everyone should be aware of:
Dos
Understand different methods
Do: Educate yourself about various contraception methods such as birth control pills, condoms, intrauterine devices (IUDs), implants, patches, and injections.
Why: Understanding how each method works helps you make an informed choice about what fits best with your lifestyle and health needs.
Follow instructions carefully
Do: Adhere strictly to the usage instructions for your chosen contraception method. For example, take birth control pills at the same time every day or use condoms correctly.
Why: Proper use maximises the effectiveness of the method and reduces the risk of unintended pregnancy.
Consider non-hormonal options if needed
Do: Explore non-hormonal contraception options if you have health concerns or side effects related to hormonal methods.
Why: Non-hormonal methods, like condoms or copper IUDs, can be effective alternatives without the hormonal side effects.
Monitor for side effects
Do: Keep track of any side effects or changes in your health and report them to your healthcare provider.
Why: Monitoring helps manage potential side effects early and ensures the chosen method remains suitable for you.
Use Barrier methods for STI protection
Do: Use condoms or other barrier methods to protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) if you are not in a monogamous relationship or unsure of your partner’s STI status.
Why: Barrier methods reduce the risk of STIs and provide additional protection against unintended pregnancies.
Also see | Sexually transmitted infections: Watch out for unusual bleeding, pain during intercourse
Review and adjust as needed
Do: Regularly review your contraceptive method with your healthcare provider and adjust as needed based on changes in your health, lifestyle, or family planning goals.
Why: Life circumstances and health conditions change, and periodic reviews ensure your contraception remains effective and appropriate.
Don'ts
Don’t skip doses or use them incorrectly
Don’t: Skip doses of hormonal contraceptives or use barrier methods incorrectly (e.g., not using a condom throughout intercourse).
Why: Inconsistent use significantly reduces effectiveness and increases the risk of unintended pregnancy.
Don’t rely solely on one method for STI protection
Don’t: Assume that all contraception methods protect against STIs. For example, hormonal contraceptives do not protect against STIs.
Why: Using methods that do not protect against STIs increases your risk of infection.
Don’t use expired products
Don’t: Use expired contraceptive products, such as condoms or birth control pills.
Why: Expired products may be less effective and increase the risk of pregnancy and STIs.
Don’t ignore personal health conditions
Don’t: Choose a contraceptive method that may not be compatible with your health conditions or medications.
Why: Some methods can interact with other medications or exacerbate health conditions, leading to complications.
Don’t forget to consider future plans
Don’t: Neglect long-term family planning goals. For example, if you plan to conceive soon, some methods may not be ideal.
Why: Understanding your future plans helps in choosing a method that aligns with your reproductive goals and lifestyle.
Don’t self-diagnose or self-treat
Don’t: Make decisions about contraception based solely on online information or self-diagnosis.
Why: Self-diagnosis and treatment may not account for individual health factors and can lead to ineffective or inappropriate use of contraception.
Don’t avoid regular check-ups
Don’t: Skip regular check-ups and follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider.
Why: Regular check-ups ensure that your chosen method remains effective and allow for timely management of any side effects or issues.
Choosing and using contraception involves careful consideration and adherence to guidelines to ensure safety and effectiveness. Regular reviews and monitoring can help adapt your choices to your changing needs and health status.
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