Pregnancy Fertility Control

Contraception, Sterilization and Medical Termination of Pregnancy

WHAT ARE CONTRACEPTIVE IMPLANTS?

These are hormonal products which enter the body through a non – oral route as implants in the skin. It causes sustained release of hormones in the blood. These implants are inserted under the skin in he inside of the upper arm or forearm. These become effective with 24 hours. They can also be inserted soon after abortion and 6 weeks after delivery.

The advantage is one time insertion but the disadvantage is that it requires a trained personnel to do the job.

HORMONAL AND INJECTABLE CONTRACEPTIVES ARE NOR PREFERRED OVER OTHERS.

WHAT ARE ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES?

These are the most widely used contraceptives .low doses of hormones are given orally as a daily tablet and on stopping the tablet, the cycle of menstruation starts. After 5 days, one has to start consuming the tablets again.  

I HAVE HAD UNPROTECTED SEX. CAN I DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS?

YES, you can use contraception before missing the period in case of unprotected intercourse or expected failure of contraception.

The chances of getting pregnant with unprotected sex is 2-4 % in any part of  the cycle and nearly 20 – 60 % in mid cycle.

The methods used for emergency contraception includes combined oral contraceptives, progestin only pills, and insertion of an IUD.

COMBINED ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES should be given within 72 hours of intercourse.
AN IUD can be inserted within 5-7 days of intercourse.

HOW CAN MY HUSBAND BE STERILISED?

Male fertilization is the easiest and the most reliable means of fertility control. Bilateral ligation of vas(a tube through which the sperms travels) is done and there is no need for a major operation in this procedure.

CHOICE OF CONTRACEPTION FOR WOMEN WITH MEDICAL DISORDERS

Barrier contraceptives like condoms can be used in any medical disorder.
When the couple does not want any more children, vasectomy is preferable to tubectomy. IUDs with progesterone impregnation are most suitable for couple that does not want permanent methods.

HEART DISORDERS

When the couple feels that the family is complete, he/she should be sterilized.

Oral contraceptives have to be avoided as the chances of embolism are high in these women.

IUDs are also to be avoided to avoid infections.

NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS

In such conditions , injectable contraceptives are preferred.IUDs and tubectomy are methods of choice.

In headaches which can be of tension type or migraine, low dose oral pills can be used. Injectables are also preferred in these conditions and progesterone implants are not contraindicated.

TUBERCULOSIS

In this condition oral contraceptives are contraindicated with rifampicin . natural and barrier methods are the choice of family planning methods.

EPILEPSY

Anticonvulsants reduce the efficacy of OC pills .As such barrier methods and natural methods are preferred.

CARDIOVASCULAR  DISORDERS

IUD is ideal with proper meticulous aseptic precautions.Antibiotic coverge will be needed for the prevention of bacterial endocarditis.

HYPERTENSIVE DISORDERS

LOW DOSE ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES can be used. But the ideal method would be barrier methods. if you have completed your family , it would be better to go for a permanent cure like tubectomy or vasectomy.

Due to the problems of pulmonary edema and thromboembolism, oral contraceptives should be avoided.

ANAEMIA

Mild to moderate anaemia is no contraindication for oral contraceptive pills and for injectable contraceptives.

RENAL DISEASES

If you are suffering from ay renal problems , it is better not to plan pregnancy because the chances of delivering a live fetus is decreased.