^

How can you prevent unwanted pregnancy?

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
Fact-checked
х

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.

If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.

Of course, the simplest and most reliable method, which excludes pregnancy in 100% of cases, is a complete absence of sex. A little less reliable is the use of a condom. A condom also protects against infection with venereal diseases. But, unlike the first method, it is not so reliable. Firstly, a condom can slip off at the most inopportune moment, secondly, it can break (either "in the process" or when putting it on), and, finally, it can be defective, that is, with a hole. In addition, it somewhat reduces the intensity of sensations, both for men and women (it is not for nothing that there is an aphorism: "Having sex with a condom is like smelling flowers in a gas mask"). Therefore, there is another method of male contraception - interrupted sexual intercourse. But it has its drawbacks. Firstly, for this a man must have good control over his sensations and even better - feel his partner. Otherwise, either he will not have time to "jump out" before ejaculation, or he will leave his partner unsatisfied. Secondly, even before ejaculation, along with the secretion of the Cowper's glands (these glands, like the Bartholin's, secrete a moisturizing secretion), a certain amount of spermatozoa may enter the vagina, which may be enough for fertilization.

This method is not so harmless. If used ineptly but frequently, it can lead to sexual weakness (impotence) in men, dulling of sexual feeling in women. Therefore, this method can be offered only to fairly experienced lovers who know each other well. In this case, the man first brings his partner to orgasm, and then completes his own orgasm with ejaculation outside the partner's vagina. Then the sexual act will at least be quite effective.

The female condom must exactly match the size of the cervix and tightly cover it. Therefore, the cap must be put on and taken off by a gynecologist. And it must be taken off once a month - because of menstruation. Thus, you need to visit a gynecologist twice a month - once to put on the cap, and the second time - to remove it. In addition, the cap increases the risk of cervical erosion.

The female condom consists of two soft rings connected by a polyurethane tube that follows the shape of the vagina. One end is sealed tightly. The smaller ring with a closed bottom is put on the cervix, like a cap, and the wider ring is placed on the outer part of the vagina. This device has not yet gained wide popularity and, apparently, will not gain it anytime soon, because, firstly, it is quite expensive, and secondly, the secretion of the vagina and Bartholin glands is disrupted.

In addition, a female condom requires additional lubrication. And the woman's sensations (or rather their almost complete absence) are not the last argument for refusing this product.

Other known methods of contraception include cervical caps, intrauterine devices, and hormonal contraceptives.

The cervical cap does not interfere with vaginal lubrication and does not require additional lubrication during friction.

Hormonal oral contraceptives are much more preferable. They are similar to the natural female hormones estradiol and progesterone. Oral contraceptives can be single-phase, two-phase and three-phase. They must be taken regularly, without missing a single recommended dose, otherwise the effect will not occur (you can get pregnant). Women sometimes refuse to take hormonal drugs because of the fear of gaining weight. Indeed, the first such drugs had this and some other (nausea, breast enlargement) side effects. Modern oral contraceptives are free of this. However, they also have their own peculiarities. Women who have started taking such drugs should know that during the first month after starting to take oral contraceptives, intermenstrual bleeding and some changes in well-being may occur, but these symptoms are short-lived. Women who smoke, as well as those over thirty-five, should take these drugs with caution, since they slightly increase blood pressure and change the clotting properties of the blood, which increases the risk of stroke or heart attack.

trusted-source[ 1 ], [ 2 ], [ 3 ], [ 4 ]

Use of hormonal pills

Sometimes gynecologists prescribe hormonal contraceptives precisely to give the ovaries a "rest", and then, after their cancellation, pregnancy usually occurs more easily. Moreover, the probability of pregnancy in the first month after the drug is cancelled increases many times! In addition, the probability of having twins increases by 1.5-2 times. So taking birth control pills is a fairly common method of treating some types of infertility.

Many people believe that after taking hormonal pills, hair begins to grow rapidly and acne appears.

Nothing of the sort! Some of these drugs, on the contrary, by changing a woman's hormonal background, normalize metabolic functions - and acne disappears. So sometimes these drugs are prescribed for the purpose of treating acne.

As for hair growth, it is true that the first generations of hormonal contraceptives contained too high a concentration of hormones, which led to increased hairiness. Modern drugs not only do not cause hair growth, but on the contrary, cause hair thinning, which leads to a decrease in "fluffiness". In addition, hormonal contraceptives are a preventive measure that prevents the occurrence of ovarian cancer. When taking them (naturally, recommended by a gynecologist), the risk of this disease is reduced by almost 50%.

An exception are emergency contraception pills (for example, Postinor). They contain much more hormones than regular oral contraceptives, which are intended to be taken for a month. This is understandable! They are used when sex occurs suddenly, and the woman has no time to prepare. But they are intended for a single use, not for daily use! Therefore, if you have "sudden" sex every day or every other day, take a regular oral contraceptive, after consulting with your gynecologist.

You are reporting a typo in the following text:
Simply click the "Send typo report" button to complete the report. You can also include a comment.