Contraceptive pills contain estrogen and progestogens in diffrent proprtions. Pills work by making the body think that pregnancy exists and stop ovulation.

The Nuvaring is a novel delivery system which contains similar hormones like the pills but in a ring form which is inserted in the vagina on the first day of the menstruation.

The pills have to be taken daily at a fixed time preferably at night for 21 days, without missing any days to avoid failures. 

As against this, the Nuvaring has to be fitted only once and removed at the end of 21 days to get the withdrawal period so that again a new one can be fitted on the first day of the menstrual flow. Hear, the advantage against the Pill is not to have to remember to take a pill every day.

Sometimes the hormones given through the pills are not absorbed properly in the body especially with vomiting or diarrhoea, in such cases there is a risk of pregnancy. This will not happen with the ring, since there is a direct absorption of the hormone through the vagina.

A general health check up by your doctor is recommended before its prescription, followed by every six monthly checkup even if there are no side effects. The first time Nuvaring should be inserted in the presence of your gynaecologist to show you the correct way of insertion so that next time can be done on your own.

Just like pills, this is not recommended for women having high Blood Pressure, those who are overweight, or over 35 years of age; for the risk of cardiac problems.

It does not interfere or affect sexual performance or cause any addiction.

Nuvaring does not protect from Sexually Transmitted Diseases or Infections.

The Contraceptive Pills are taken only by women and have no effect whatsoever on male reproductive systems.

Although available in different brand names, pills contain female hormones oestrogen and progesterone in different proportions & combinations.

Pills work by making the body think that pregnancy exists and stop ovulation.

This false state of pregnancy may lead to symptoms of early pregnancy like nausea, weight gain, breast tenderness, fatigue, moodiness.

They have to be taken daily at a fixed time preferably at night, without missing any days to avoid failures.  Pills should be taken only under medical supervision.  And, general health check up by your doctor is recommended before its prescription, followed by every 6 monthly checkups even if there are no side effects.

Sometimes the hormones given through the pills are not absorbed properly in the body especially with vomiting or diarrhoea, in such cases there is a risk of pregnancy.  Certain medicines (antibiotics) also interfere with the effective maintenance of hormone level in the blood, nullifying the effect of the Pill.

Pills are not recommended for women having high Blood Pressure, those who are overweight, or those over 35 years of age for the risk of cardiac problems.

Contraceptive pills do not interfere or affect sexual performance or cause any addiction.

Contraceptives are also available in the form of hormone injections and implants but are less commonly used.

The Mini Pill is an oral contraceptive that contains only one hormone i.e. progesterone.  It works by producing a thick mucus plug in the cervix, so that sperms cannot get into the cervix and are prevented from entering into the uterus.

Pills do not protect from Sexually Transmitted Diseases or Infections.

Intra-Uterine Devices (IUD) now available are in T shape or inverted U shape and are made of plastic or copper.

IUD is inserted by retracting the vagina under strict aseotic precautions with the help of a special instrument. A non-soluble thread present at the end of the IUD is kept outside the uterus which remains floating in the vaginal space.

Although, its exact function in contraception is not established but mere presence of a foreign object prevents implantation of a fertilised ovum into the lining of the uterus.

IUD can be kept in the uterus for a couple of years depending upon its acceptance by the body.

Although it is a good contraceptive many girls and women who have not carried a baby, experience strong muscular contractions like labour pains to expel the IUD.  This is because their uterus is not used to having something inside. In some, the device is totally rejected

Doctor should be consulted at once in case of fever, chills, unusual vaginal discharge, persistent pain, abdominal cramps, backache, excessive spotting or bleeding, longer or heavier periods.  This happens either because the body has failed to accept the IUD or in presence of infection.

Since IUD is placed inside the uterus the vaginal canal remains free for intercourse or for inserting Tampon during Menstruation.

IUD facilitates spontaneous and uninterrupted lovemaking.

Although it incurs initial expenditure and periodical changing, it gives excellent protection and requires no regular attention other than the checking of string.

IUD does not protect from Sexually Transmitted Diseases or Infections.

Natural Birth Control may be a safer and morally acceptable technique with a scientific background for those having religious restrictions over use of contraceptives.

In all the methods of natural birth control, the intercourse is avoided around the time of ovulation when chances of fertilization are maximum.

Ovulation can be predicted by charting out the regular pattern of menstrual cycle.

Or,

By Body temperature method in which ovulation is marked by sudden increase in Basal Body Temperature.

Self examination of vaginal discharge can reveal the ovulation when the cervical mucous becomes clear, stretchy and feel slippery.

Intercourse should be avoided 4 or 5 days before and after ovulation to prevent conception.

Natural Birth Control has high failure rate as it depends on individual’s judgement and also because of change in ovulation time due to stress, illness, medications or breast feeding.

Abstinence or avoiding intercourse is the best way for Birth Control, but may cause psychological pressure on either or both the partners.

Qualified doctor’s guidance is therefore recommended in selecting the method of Birth Control.

Natural Birth Control does not protect from Sexually Transmitted Diseases or Infections.

Mirena is an intra-uterine system for contraception with the added advantage of hormones in the system which make the lining of the uterus thin. This in turn reduces the menstrual flow to a substantial degree which is an advantage to prevent anemia and unnecessary blood loss in patients. This is in contrast to the commonly used intra uterine copper devices which cause excessive menstruation.

This device is a special T shaped device, which is fitted in the uterus either under anaesthesia or without it. A special training is required to insert this device in the uterine cavity.

It has a hormone realising system within it; which releases small amount of a progestogen inside the uterine cavity daily. This hormone makes the cervical secretions very thick and impermeable to the passge of sperms,  keeps the lining of the uterus thin thus prevent implantation of the fertilized egg with the added advantage of reducing the bleeding and also acts as a physical barrier and a foreign body inside the uterus to prevent pregnancy.

It has a life of five years at the end of which  or anytime before that it can be removed and a new one inserted or an alternate method of contraception used.

The removal is very simple and easily done in the OPD of a gynaecologist.

It can be used in between two pregnancies as a spacing method or after deliveries to prevent further pregnancies.

Spermicides kill sperms thus prevent Pregnancy.

The several forms of Spermicides which are available are all to be used inside the vagina.

Spermicidal jelly is used inside the Diaphragm.

Spermicidal foams can be used with Condoms.

Certain foams, pessaries and creams are also available which are claimed to be spermicidal and used on their own and inserted in vagina to get dissolved.

However, Spermicides do not offer adequate protection.

Spermicides do not protect from Sexually Transmitted Diseases or Infections.

Cervical Cap is filled with spermicide and can be easily inserted into the vagina to fit tightly on the cervix. It can be kept in place for up to 48 hours without reapplications of Spermicides.

Spermicides can be inserted directly before each intercourse.

Cervical caps are less popular because of its lower effective rate

They are available without prescription.

Cervical Cap does not protect from Sexually Transmitted Diseases or Infections

The Diaphragm is less commonly used contraceptive made of soft dome shaped rubber with a thick rim of wire coil.

Sufficient quantity of spermicidal cream is applied on the inner surface of the diaphragm and rolled up inside the vagina over the cervix by pinching its edges together.

The rubber dome holds the Spermicides against the cervix thereby blocking the path of sperms.

Diaphragm should be inserted 2 hours before intercourse and kept for at least 6 hours after intercourse to make sure that all the sperms are killed.

Its effect lasts for about 3 hours and should never be kept for more than 24 hours to avoid the toxic effects of the rubber.

Diaphragms are available in different sizes for comfortable fitting.  The suitable size can be prescribed by your doctor.

Diaphragm can be cleaned and dried and reused.

Diaphragm does not protect from Sexually Transmitted Diseases or Infections