Once a month: the contraceptive ring.

A flexible plastic ring that the woman places in the vagina as if it were a hygienic tampon.

In the vagina the ring releases the contraceptive hormones in a very low and constant dose (without blood hormone spikes).

You have to wear the ring for 3 weeks in a row, remove it and rest 1 week in which the rule will appear.

During use, the ring:

• It doesn't show
• Does not fall

Its effectiveness does not depend on the position that the ring adopts in the vagina.

What are the advantages of the contraceptive ring?

• Efficacy, same as the pill.
• Monthly method
• No effects on weight
• Easy to use
• Comfortable, it doesn't show, it doesn't fall
• Discreet, it doesn't look
• Less chance of forgetting
• Exceptional cycle control (regular cycles)
• No first liver passage

What inconveniences do you have?

• Being a breakthrough in contraception, some women may find it difficult to get used to genital manipulation.
• Women with intolerance or contraindications to the use of hormones

Once a week: the contraceptive patch.

The transdermal patch is a contraceptive method that you can use on the skin of the belly, arms, buttocks or back. You must place a new patch every week, for 3 weeks. It releases hormones that protect against pregnancy. Then, you have a week off before repeating the cycle.

It is important to monitor every day that the patch is well pasted.

What are the advantages of this contraceptive method?

• Efficacy same as the pill
• Avoid the need for daily intake
• Less chance of forgetting
• Easy to use
• No first liver passage
• Same non-contraceptive benefits as the pill

What inconveniences do you have?

• Bit discreet
• It can take off and cause handling problems
• It has to be monitored every day that the patch is well pasted
• Women with intolerance or contraindications to the use of hormones

Once a day: birth control pill.

The pill contains contraceptive hormones that prevent ovulation, and that is why it is very effective.

Depending on the type of pill, a different pattern must be followed:

What advantages does this method have?

• Easy to use
• Decrease menstrual cramps
• Regularize the cycle
• Non-contraceptive benefits of the pill

What are the inconveniences?

• You can't forget any shots
• Risk of bleeding between rules during the first months of use
• Women with intolerance or contraindications to the use of hormones

Once a day: Mini pill with only gestagen.

• It is as effective as the combined pill.
• A daily intake without a rest week.
• As it does not contain estrogens, it is indicated for women who are breastfeeding and women with intolerance or contraindications to estrogen.

What are its advantages?

• Easy to use. Continuous intake (every day, without rest periods)
• Non-contraceptive benefits of the pill
• Useful for estrogen intolerant women

What inconveniences do you have?

• You can't forget any pills
• Variable and unpredictable bleeding pattern (tendency to decrease frequency and number of days of bleeding)
• Women with intolerance or contraindications to the use of hormones

Effective long-term contraceptive

In the long term, there are 3 contraceptives that you can use:

1 Hormonal implant It is a long-term contraceptive method (3 years) very effective and convenient to use. It consists of the insertion under the skin of the arm of a small flexible plastic rod, which releases progestogen constantly.

Who is it for?

• Women seeking long-term contraception (3 years), even for women who have not had a pregnancy.
• Women with estrogen intolerance or contraindication
• Women with contraindication to pregnancy by medical indication
• Women seeking an alternative to tubal ligation

What are its advantages?

• Long-term contraception
• Decrease menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea)
• Comfort of use
• Non-contraceptive benefits
• No risk of forgetting
• Useful for women who have not had a pregnancy

What inconveniences do you have?

• Insertion and removal should be done by a trained doctor
• Variable and unpredictable bleeding pattern (overall tendency to show less bleeding)
• Women with intolerance or contraindications to the use of hormones

2 Copper IUD It works by preventing the passage of sperm in its intrauterine pathway, thus preventing fertilization and also, the implantation of the ovum in the uterus if fertilization had occurred. It is a very effective method.

What are its advantages?

• It can be used for several years
• There is no risk of forgetting

What inconveniences do you have?

• In certain cases it gives rise to abundant and painful rules
• It can be expelled spontaneously
• Copper intolerant

3 IUD releasing hormones. It combines the effects of the IUD with the hormonal effects of progestogens.

What are its advantages?

• It can be used for several years
• It is used for the treatment of heavy periods

What inconveniences do you have?

• Alterations in the pattern of menstrual bleeding may occur
• Some women may run out of rule
• Women with intolerance or contraindications to the use of hormones

PERMANENT SITUATION

And if you also look for a situation PERMANENT, you have these options:

1 Ligation of the fallopian tubes. This method is irreversible. It involves a surgical intervention whereby the fallopian tubes are cut and ligated.

What advantages does it have?

• A single intervention and no further precautionary measures are needed
• It does not alter the menstrual cycle

What are its drawbacks?

• Precise surgical intervention
• It is practically irreversible.

2 Vasectomy (for the man). It consists of a surgical intervention by which the vas deferens through which the sperm pass, are cut and ligated, preventing their exit into ejaculation.

What are its advantages? It is a relatively simple intervention that does not require subsequent precautionary measures.

What inconveniences do you have? It is only safe after a few weeks after the intervention (spermiogram control)

Effective contraception and protection against sexually transmitted diseases

If you (or your partner) have variable contacts or do not maintain a stable relationship, you can use a barrier method of contraception, such as:

• The condom: Latex sheath that covers the erect penis during intercourse and retains ejaculated semen
• The transparent plastic sheath, with two rings at its ends, which conforms to the walls of the vagina and retains the ejaculated semen

Double protection method

Although the condom is effective against pregnancy, it is not as safe as a hormonal contraceptive method. Therefore, a combination of methods is used, known as double protection. It consists of using a barrier method (condom) together with a hormonal contraceptive (either in the form of a pill, ring or patch), the former to protect against STDs and the latter to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

Diaphragm

It is a flexible rubber cap and circular shape that covers the cervix, preventing the passage of sperm.

*Instructions for use:

• Apply spermicidal cream on the diaphragm.
• Insert the diaphragm perpendicularly.
• It should be checked after its introduction that the cervix is ​​covered.

What inconveniences do you have?

• You need a training by a healthcare professional
• You must get the right size for each woman
• It should always be combined with a spermicide
• It cannot be removed immediately (you have to wait 8 hours for the spermicide to take effect)

Progesterone Injection

A progestogen injection prevents ovulation for 3 months.

    What are its drawbacks?

• Irregular rules during the first months
• (menses may disappear completely)
• Weight gain risk
• Need for an injection every 3 months
• After the last injection the normal cycle may take a long time to restore
• It is contraindicated in the case of young women who wish to become pregnant within a short period of time
• Women with intolerance or contraindications to the use of hormones