A woman can become pregnant during intercourse if a man’s sperm reaches and fertilises one of her eggs. Contraception tries to prevent this by stopping egg production, keeping the sperm and egg apart or stopping the fertilised egg from getting implanted in the womb.
Want to know how to avoid pregnancy naturally or artificially? Here are various ways of contraception to choose from.
Temporary Methods
Cap: This circular dome of soft, thin silicone is inserted into the vagina before intercourse. The cap covers the cervix to prevent the sperm from entering the womb.
Condoms: These are made of polyurethane, polyisoprene or very thin latex. A male condom is a barrier worn on the penis to prevent sperm from entering the uterus. Female condoms are worn inside the vagina to stop semen from reaching the womb.
Contraceptive implant: It’s a small flexible plastic rod put under your skin in the upper arm to release progesterone into the bloodstream that stops pregnancy.
Contraceptive injection: It releases the hormone progestogen into the bloodstream to stop pregnancy.
Contraceptive patch: It is a small sticky patch that releases the hormones oestrogen and progesterone through the skin into the bloodstream to prevent ovulation.
Natural family planning: This is how you can avoid pregnancy naturally. It involves noticing the signs of fertility during your menses and planning to avoid pregnancy based on those symptoms.
Intrauterine Device (IUD): It’s a small T-shaped copper and plastic device that a nurse/doctor inserts into your uterus. The device releases copper to prevent pregnancy for 5-10 years.
Intrauterine System (IUS): It’s another miniature T-shaped plastic device that’s inserted into your womb. The device releases the hormone progesterone to keep away pregnancy for 3-5 years.
Progesterone-only pill: It traditionally thickens the mucus in the cervix to prevent sperms from reaching the egg to check pregnancy. The pill must be taken daily to let it work.
Combined pill: It contains artificial forms of female hormones progesterone and oestrogen (produced by ovaries naturally). They primarily prevent ovulation (the monthly release of eggs from ovaries).
Vaginal ring: It’s a tiny soft plastic ring that is inserted inside the vagina. The ring constantly releases a dose of the hormones progesterone and oestrogen into your bloodstream to keep away pregnancy.
Permanent Methods
Female sterilisation (Tubectomy): If you wonder how to avoid pregnancy surgically, not naturally, this is an option for women. The fallopian tubes are sealed or blocked to stop the eggs from reaching the sperm or getting fertilised.
Male sterilisation (Vasectomy): It’s a surgery to seal or cut the tubes that carry sperms to permanently do away with the possibility of pregnancy.
Ensure to undergo surgeries like tubectomy and vasectomy at the best maternity hospital in Delhi.
Surgical procedures like female and male sterilisation can sometimes be reversed. However, a successful conception may not be guaranteed. So, rather think carefully about whether you want to be pregnant. If yes, take suitable steps like visiting a dietician and learning about the fruits to avoid during pregnancy and opting for foetal medicine.