Contraception

Unlike many years ago there are many types of birth control options offered today. They range from ones that need to be prescribed by a health care provider to condoms that can be purchased over the counter. To get the best type of method one should talk to their health care provider about the options of contraception. Most of the methods of contraception offered today are highly effective and easy to use. This paper discusses five methods out of the many options provided: Depo-Provera, Ortho-Evra, the Pill, Ortho-Novum, and condoms.

The first method discussed is Depo. It is an injectable form of contraception that protects against pregnancy for three months, giving a long lasting form of contraception. The shot is given intramuscularly either in the buttocks or the upper arm. Its main active ingredient is a chemical similar to the hormone progesterone. Depo acts by preventing the egg cells from ripening. If an egg is not released from the ovaries during the menstrual cycle, it cannot become fertilized by sperm and result in pregnancy. (Health Information for Women) It also causes changes in the lining of the uterus that makes it less likely for pregnancy to occur. During the first year one may have changes in the menstrual bleeding pattern. One may notice: Irregular or unpredictable bleeding or spotting, menstrual bleeding that is slightly heavier or lighter than normal or no menstrual bleeding at all. It is important to note that any unusually heavy or continuous bleeding should be reported to one's health care provider. (Health Information for Woman) More than half of all women who use Depo for one year have no menstrual bleeding. Once off the shot the woman's period will usually, in time, return to its normal pattern. Some women may gain a few pounds while on the shot during the first year. After the first year, weight gain depends on the individual person. Also in some women, Depo may cause some thinning of the bones during the first few years used. Other side effects that may occur include: headache, tiredness, breast swelling or tenderness, nervousness, dizziness, upset stomach, depression, decreased sex drive. (Health Information for Women) Many women who experience side effects during the first few months report that these side effects decrease. Women who used hormone-based contraceptives may have an increased chance of a stroke or blood clots. Studies have found that women who used Depo had no increased overall risk of breast, ovary, uterus, cervix, or liver cancer. But women under 35 years old, whose first exposure to Depo was with in the previous four years, may have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer similar to that seen with other oral contraception.(Health Information for Women) There are also a few benefits that come along with using Depo. First of all it does not contain estrogen. It is also long lasting rather than taking a pill every day, there is no packets to keep track of and it cannot be seen or felt. It is very convenient and more private than barrier methods. Depo can also be used by nursing mothers. And a benefit to some is no menstrual period. Depo is over 99% effective, making it one of the most reliable methods of birth control available. (Health Information for Women) The average annual pregnancy rate is less than one for every 100 women who use the shot. The effectiveness of most contraceptive methods depends, in part, on how reliably each woman uses the method. (midwife.org) The effectiveness of Depo depends only on the woman returning every three months for her next injection.

The next method covered is the recently approved (2001) Patch. The contraceptive patch (Ortho-Evra) is a weekly hormonal birth control method. (The Contraception Report: The Contraception Skin Patch) The product is an adhesive patch that is placed on the skin to prevent pregnancy. The patch itself is roughly 1 Ð'Ñ* inches square. It is thin, smooth and a tan color. It has three layers: (1) a protective outer layer, (2) a middle layer that contains the hormones and adhesive, and (3) a clear liner that is removed to expose the sticky layer. There are four places the patch can be worn: (1) the abdomen, (2) the upper outer arm, (3) the upper torso and (4) the buttocks. The patch contains the hormones estrogen and progestin which are released daily. Wearing the patch keeps a woman from ovulating. It also thickens the cervical mucus which makes it harder for sperm to enter the womb. The patch is used on a weekly cycle (28 days). A patch is worn for seven days, then removed, and replaced with a new patch. The new patch should be applied on the same day of the week. After using three patches in a row, no patch is worn on the fourth week. This week allows the woman to get her menstrual period. After this "hormone free" week the cycle begins again. To prevent skin irritation one should not place a new patch where an old one was. The adhesive is designed to stay in place even under water. If it becomes loose or detached try and reattach it. If it will not reattach simply replace it with a new one. This new patch should only be worn until the next "patch change day", and then replaced. (The Contraceptive Skin Patch) There are also some benefits that go along with using the patch. First, one only has to think about using the patch once a week. It also is easy to use, simply attach to the skin. And there are several spots one can attach it. The side effects of the patch are similar to the ones of Depo. Some of them include: spotting or breakthrough bleeding, headache, nausea, skin irritation (at the site of application), breast discomfort, problems wearing contract lenses, fluid retention, raised blood pressure, melasma (spotty darkening of the skin), menstrual cramps, abdominal pain, change of appetite, nervousness, depression, loss of scalp hair, and vaginal infections. (4women.gov) The effectiveness of the patch is similar to the shot and the pill. When used correctly, there is a 99% chance of not getting pregnant. The effectiveness of the patch depends on the woman replacing the patch on the given day all month. Also the effectiveness of the patch is less effective in women who weigh more than one hundred ninety eight pounds.

Then there is the pill. The pill has been around for 40 years. Some women are unsure about taking the pill. But today's pill has been improved many times. The pill is taken in a 21 or 28 day cycle. In the 21 day cycle, there are 21 "active" pills, which contain the hormones that the woman takes for three weeks. On the fourth week the woman does not take any pills. On this week the woman gets her menstrual period. In the 28 day cycle the woman takes 21 "active" pills for three weeks, followed by one week of hormone free pills. Then the cycle is started over. In the week of hormone free pills the woman receives her menstrual period. The pill should