A diaphragm (a type of physical barrier method) in its case, with a quarter added for scale.
Condom (rolled-up).

Contraceptives are devices, techniques and methods used to prevent human fertilization. Contraceptives are used for birth control purposes either to prevent fertilisation or to interrupt a pregnancy.

Barrier contraception attempts to prevent pregnancy by using devices to physically prevent sperm from entering the uterus. Devices in common use include condoms, female condoms, cervical caps, diaphragms, and SILCS diaphragm (still in clinical testing). Intrauterine device (IUD) 'coil' with or without hormones or copper can be used as emergency contraception or long term contraception [1] Hormonal emergency contraception can be both contraceptive and contragestive.

Non-barrier methods are hormonal contraceptives intended to inhibit female fertility. These include injectable[2] and oral contraceptives. The most common hormonal contraceptives are the combined oral contraceptive pill, commonly referred as "The Pill", which includes a combination of an estrogen and a progestin (progestogen), and the minipill that contains only synthetic progestogens and do not contain estrogen.

Contragestion, which occurs when an agent prevents or interrupts implantation of the embryo or causes the uterine lining to shed during the implantation period, is a form of contraception.[3][4] Depending upon when it is used, a contraceptive device can alo act as a contragestive agent.[5] For example, the IUD can be used as a contraceptive or a contragestive depending upon when it is inserted.[6]

Some regard an abortion, which is the removal or expulsion of a fetus or embryo from the uterus, to be a form of contraception.[7]

Ortho Tri-cyclen, a brand of oral contraceptive, in a dial dispenser.

All contraception methods, other than the use of a condom, are applied by the female.

See also

References

  1. ^ Ammer, Christine (2009). The Encyclopaedia of Women’s Health. Infobase Publishing. p. 312. ISBN 9780816074075. ((cite book)): Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ Hendrick, Judith (1997). Legal aspects of child health care. Nelson Thomas. p. 102. ISBN 9780412583209.
  3. ^ [1]. The Chambers Dictionary, Allied Publishers; 1998. page 355.
  4. ^ [2] Human Life Before Birth: Introductory Embryology By Frank Dye; Published by CRC Press, p 234.
  5. ^ [3] Etienne-Emile Baulieu, ibid.
  6. ^ [4] Emergency: Emergency Contraception Bobbi J. Morris, Cathy Young, Kathleen Kearney, The American Journal of Nursing, Vol. 100, No. 9 (Sep., 2000), pp. 47 Published by: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Retrieved May 26, 2009.
  7. ^ Hadley, Mac E. (2000). Endocrinology. Prentice Hall. p. 467. ISBN 9780130803566.
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