Birth control

From MysteryWiki

Birth control, variously called contraceptives, contraception methods, inhibition of fertilization, contraception, or fertility control, refers to a class of methods, devices, and medications which are used to prevent pregnancy, birth, or reproductive faculty.

History

Ancient Era

Medieval Era

Modern Era

Methods

Many different methods of modern birth control exist and are extremely varied in terms of resulting side-effects as well as effectiveness. Further, different individuals may respond differently to different methods, culminating in different ideal methods for different individuals.

Barrier Contraception

Barrier contraceptives are methods which prevent sperm from reaching the fertilizable ovum via either physical, chemical, or biological means. Often, these methods are devices which prevent sperm from entering the uterus at all.

Cervical Caps

Cervical caps are devices which fit over the cervix, blocking sperm from entering the uterus through the external orifice of the uterus (the os).

Condoms

Female Condoms
Male Condoms

Contraceptive Sponges

Diaphragms

Coitus Interruptus

Coitus interruptus, also known as the withdrawal method or colloquially as "pulling out," refers to the ending of intercourse before male ejaculation.

Hormonal Contraception

Hormonal contraception refers to any number of forms of birth control which function by affecting an individual's hormone levels.

Contraceptive Implants

Contraceptive implants are implantable medical devices which act as birth control via either timed release of hormones, the use of copper, or physical blocking mechanisms[1].

Etonogestrel Contraceptive Implants

Etonogestrel contraceptive implants are devices made up of a single rod which contains etonogestrel.

Hormonal Intrauterine Devices
Levonorgestrel Implants

Levonorgestrel contraceptive implants are devices made up of two rods which utilize levonorgestrel as birth control.

Contraceptive Patches

Injectable Contraceptives

Intravaginal Rings

Oral Contraceptives

Oral contraceptive pills (OCPs), variously referred to as birth control pills or oral contraceptives, are pills taken orally, typically to prevent pregnancy. Two basic types of OCP are widely available: combined OCPs (which contain the hormones estogen and progestin) and progestogen-only OCPs.

Combined Oral Contraceptives

Combined oral contraceptive pills (COCPs) are a type of oral birth control which are so named because they contain a combination of the hormones estrogen (usually in the form of ethinylestadiol) and progestogen (specifically progestin).

Monophasic OCPs

Monophasic OCPs deliver the same amount of estrogen and progestin every day.

Biphasic OCPs

Biphasic OCPs deliver the same amount of estrogen every day for the first 21 days of the given cycle. Within the first half of the cycle, the progestin/estrogen ratio is lower, which allows the lining of the uterus to thicken as it does during a normal menstrual cycle. During the second half of the cycle, the progestin/estrogen ratio is heightened, allowing the normal shedding of the lining of the uterus to occur.

Triphasic OCPs

Triphasic OCPs either have constant or changing estrogen concentrations and varying progestin concentrations throughout the cycle.

Progestogen Oral Contraceptives

Immunologic Contraception

Postcoital Contraception

Postcoital Oral Contraceptives

Reproductive Sterilization

Tubal Ligation

Vasectomy

Notes

  1. Technically, this would be a barrier contraceptive.

External Links

References

No adequate sources have been found so far.