Method Of Birth control
Grade 11
Biology
Teacher: Mr. Smith
Methods of birth control (contraception)
A variety of methods are available to prevent pregnancy from occurring.
They are designed to prevent fertilization or to prevent implantation, and they can be natural,
barrier, hormonal or surgical.
Two methods, abstinence and the condom, also protect against the spread of sexually transmitted
infections (STIs), e.g. HIV.
When choosing a method, its reliability, availability, side effects and whether both partners are
comfortable using it, must be considered.
Natural methods
Abstention is not having sexual intercourse
For the rhythm method a woman can work out when her fertile period is each month by taking her
body temperature and noticing changes in the mucus in her cervix.
• The couple have intercourse only during the five days after the woman’s period has ended or once five
days have elapsed from the estimated day of ovulation to avoid fertilization.
Natural methods
The withdrawal method has the man withdrawing his penis from the woman’s vagina
before he ejaculates.
As the man ejaculates, the first ‘spurt’ contains far more sperm than subsequent spurts.
This is why the withdrawal method of contraception is not very effective.
Barrier methods
Barrier methods prevent sperm and eggs coming into contact.
The condom is a thin latex covering which is rolled over the man’s penis before
intercourse in order to trap sperm, so they do not enter the vagina.
An additional advantage of the condom is that it provides protection against sexually
transmitted diseases (STIs).
Disadvantages are that it interrupts the spontaneity of love making and condoms can split.
Barrier methods
Diagrams to show how to put on a condom
Barrier methods
The femidom is the female condom which women can insert into the vagina.
The diaphragm (cap) is a dome-shaped piece of rubber which covers the entrance to the
cervix and prevents sperm from reaching the egg.
Women are advised to use a spermicidal cream to kill the sperm.
Chemical methods
1. The combined pill
The pill contains the hormones oestrogen and progestogen (an artificial form of
progesterone) and is often known as the combined pill.
Oestrogen inhibits FSH production from the pituitary gland so that no eggs mature
2. The pill (progestogen-only pill)
contains progestogen, but no oestrogen. It works partly by making the woman’s mucus in
the cervix thicker, so that the man’s sperm cannot get through.
It also works by preventing a fertilized egg from implanting.
Chemical methods
3. Hormone contraceptives
These do not have to be taken in the form of pills. They can also be supplied as a long-term implant which
releases the hormone into the blood. E.g. Jadelle implants.
A hormonal implant has just been fitted to this woman’s arm. The implant will release hormones into the
blood
Chemical methods
4. Spermicide
This is a cream, jelly or foam which is placed into the vagina before intercourse in order to
kill sperm.
It should be used together with another method, e.g. a diaphragm, as on its own it is not
very reliable
Applying a spermicide
Chemical methods
5. The intra-uterine device (IUD coil)
This is a small piece of plastic that fits in the uterus and prevents sperm passing through
and prevents a fertilized egg from implanting
A midwife shows one of her patients an intra- An example of an intra-uterine device, showing its position in
uterine device the uterus once it has been inserted by a doctor
Surgical methods
For male sterilization a vasectomy (male sterilization) is a simple surgical procedure in which the two
sperm ducts are cut and tied
For female sterilisation a surgical procedure takes place in which the two oviducts are cut and tied
Female sterilisation(tubal liga
Vasectomy
Emergency contraception
Emergency contraception is also available from a doctor or a pharmacist if action is taken
quickly.
One option is the morning-after pill, also known as the emergency pill.
This must be taken within three days of unprotected intercourse.
Method of birth control
Method of birth control
Method of birth control
Method of birth control
Family planning
Family planning is making decisions about the number and timing of children in a family.
Contraception plays a major role in family planning. Family planning is important because:
It is less expensive to have a smaller family.
Both parents may wish to pursue a career.
It decreases health risks to women and maternal deaths caused by unintended pregnancies
and unsafe abortions
More time can be devoted to each child if the family is small.
There may not be any suitable housing available for a family.
Family planning
People may not want children later in life as older parents have a higher risk of having
babies with birth defects, e.g. Down’s syndrome.
Women can plan their careers and make decisions when to start a family.
Women can take advantage of education opportunities and their education is not
interrupted by starting a family.
