Inserting some type of material into the vagina for blocking the sperm and preventing from pregnancy is the most common method that people are using for many years. Barrier birth control method consists of many materials for blocking the sperm.
Working of barrier birth control methods is very simple. These methods block the sperm from transforming to the uterus and hence you can prevent your pregnancy. Among those methods, the most common ones are given below.
- Female condom
- Diaphragm & Cervical cap
- Contraceptive sponge
- Spermicides
- Lea’s contraceptive
Female condom:
It is a pre-lubricated, non prescription and a pouch-like device that lines the walls of the vagina. Basically female condom is made of polyurethane and it consists of soft rings at both the ends.
The ring at the closed end is placed against the cervix. Open end resides outer side of the vagina and seized in position by the external ring.
Female condom behaves as a barrier for preventing the sperm to meet with the egg. You can insert the condom 6 hours before having sexual intercourse so that it doesn’t decrease impulsiveness.
This barrier birth control method is 79-95% safe and you must use new condom whenever you participate in the intercourse.
There are many advantages of using this barrier birth control method such as:
- It prevents you against sexually transmitted diseases.
- This can also be used by people who have latex allergy.
- The external ring of the condom stimulates your clitoris.
With the female condom there are some disadvantages also, it is hard to insert this, you may feel discomfort or irritation while using the condom and it is very costly when compared with male condom.
Diaphragm & cervical cap:
This is also a method of barrier birth control to prevent your unplanned pregnancies.
This is smaller in size and prevents and sets more tightly when it is placed around your cervix.
Cervical cap is made of silicon rubber. There is a dome that faces your cervix, groove to hold spermicide jelly or cream and brim to hold the cap tightly in place.
There are advantages of using this barrier birth control method such as, there are no health concerns when you use this cap, you can also use it at the time of breast feeding, but you need to replace it for every 6-12 months.
While using the cervical cap, some of you will experience bladder infection, some are allergic to the material and leaving the diaphragm for longer period can cause toxic shock syndrome.
Contraceptive sponge:
This is a small and disposable sponge. This is 5 centimeters in diameter. This is made of polyurethane foam.
The sponge is filled with spermicide. Sponge blocks the sperm from entering into the uterus and also absorbs and kills the sperm.
Before the intercourse, allow the sponge to moist by using water hence it becomes foamy and then you can easily insert into your vagina.
Place the sponge so that it must fit over the cervix. Just like the cervical cap, you can wear the sponge for 12-24 hours.
The contraceptive sponge offers you continuous protection no matter how often you participate in the intercourse. Once you have the sex, you must wait for 6 hours in order to remove the sponge.
There are some disadvantages by using this method of barrier birth control. They include:
- The sponge won’t protect you against sexually transmitted diseases.
- Don’t use the sponge at the time of menstruation.
- You may be allergic to the spermicides in the sponge.
- If you leave the sponge for more than 12 hours, there is a chance to be affected with toxic shock syndrome.
Lea’s contraceptive:
This device can be reusable and is made of soft silicon. This can be inserted into the vagina to cover the cervix.
You can insert this at any time before involving in the sex and it can be left up to 48 hours.
But, you need to leave it for at least 8 hours once after the ejaculation. It is 79-92% effective to use.
But, this device won’t protect you against sexually transmitted diseases. Sometimes you may feel awkward to insert this into the vagina.
Spermicides:
These are the chemicals which help in killing the sperm or leaving it inactive. You can find it in various forms like cream, suppositories, foam, gel, and film. It is advisable to use the spermicides with other birth control methods.
When you use this method there are only 79% of chances in preventing your pregnancy. They won’t give any protection against sexually transmitted diseases.
You can prefer any form of these barrier birth control methods. But, no method is 100% effective. It is up to you to use which type of method in order to prevent your pregnancy.
THIS is very informative thank you