Lesson 7: The Physical and Sexual Self (Natural and Artificial Methods of Contraception)

Abstinence – this natural method involves refraining from sexual intercourse and is the most effective natural birth
control method with ideally 0% fail rate.
Calendar Method – this method is also called as the rhythm method. It entails withholding from coitus during the days
that the woman fertile.

Basal Body Temperature - indicates the woman’s temperature at rest. Before the day of ovulation and during ovulation,
BBT falls at 0.5F; it increases to a full degree because of progesterone and maintains its level throughout the menstrual
cycle.

Cervical Mucus Method - he change in the cervical mucus during ovulation is the basis for this method. During ovulation,
the cervical mucus is copious, thin, and watery.

Symptothermal Method - basically a combination of the BBT method and the cervical mucus method. The woman
records her temperature every morning and also takes note of changes in her cervical mucus.

Ovulation Detection - uses an over-the-counter kit that requires the urine sample of the woman. The kit can predict
ovulation through the surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) that happens 12 to 24 hours before ovulation.

Coitus Interrupts - one of the oldest methods that prevents conception. A couple still goes in with coitus, but the man
withdraws the moment he ejaculates to emit the spermatozoa outside of the female reproductive organ.

ARTIFICIAL METHOD

Oral Contraceptives – also known as the pill, oral contraceptives contain

synthetic estrogen and progestone.

Transdermal Patch – contains both estrogen and progestone. The woman should
apply one patch every week for three weeks on the following areas: upper arm,
upper torso, abdomen, or buttocks.

Vaginal Ring – releases a combination

of estrogen and progestone and it
surrounds the cervix. This silicon ring
is inserted into the female reproductive
organ and remains there for three weeks
and then removed on the fourth week, as
menstrual flow would occur.
Subdermal Implants – are two
rod-like implants inserted under the
skin of the female during her menses
or on the seventh day of her
menstruation to make sure that she
will not get pregnant.

Hormonal Injections – contains medroxyprogestone, a progestone, and is

usually given once every 12 weeks intramuscularly. The injection causes charges
in the endometrium and cervical mucus and can help prevent ovulation.

Intrauterine Device – a small, T-shaped object containing progestone that is

inserted into the uterus via the female reproductive organ. It prevents
fertilization by creating a local sterile inflammatory condition to prevent
implantation of the zygote.

Chemical Barriers – such as spermicides, vaginal gels and creams, and glycerin
films are used to cause the death of sperm before they can enter the cervix and
to lower the pH level of the female reproductive organ so it will not become
conducive for the sperm.

Diaphragm – it is a circular, rubber

disk that fits the cervix and
should be replaced before coitus.
It works by inhibiting the entrance
of the sperm into the female
reproductive organ and it works
better when used together with
a spermicide.

Cervical Cap – is made of soft rubber

and fitted on the rim of the cervix. It is
shaped like a thimble with a thin rim,
and could stay in place for not more
than 48 hours.
Male Condoms – is a latex like rubber sheath that is placed on the erect male
reproductive organ before penetration into the female reproductive organ to
trap the sperm during ejaculation.

Female Condoms – are made up of latex rubber sheaths that are pre-
lubricated with spermicide. They are usually bound by two rings. The
outer ring is first inserted against the opening of the female
reproductive organ and the inner ring covers the cervix.

Surgical Methods – during Vasectomy, a small incision is

made on each side of the scrotum. The vas deferens is
then tied, cauterized, cut, or plugged to block the
passage of the sperm. In women, tubal ligation is
performed after menstruation and before ovulation.