Notes

Wednesday, 17th of January 2024

contraception

IUD (coil): inserted into the uterus by a nurse to prevent pregnancy, copper is toxic to sperm.

oral contraception: a tiny pill orally taken everyday to prevent pregnancy.

implant: a small flexible plastic rod placed under the skin in the upper arm by a nurse, releases a hormone called progestogen into the bloodstream to stop pregnancy and is effective for up to 3 years.

condom: a latex sheath-shaped barrier device that is rolled onto the erect penis before sexual intercourse, prevents STIs and pregnancy, however they can rip.


side effects:
many women who take the pill or have an IUD (coil) as a form of contraception do struggle with the effects, statistically 23% of women have stated that they felt side effects regarding their contraception, 45% had experienced anxiety, 45% had experienced depression, 46% reported that taking the oral pill had reduced their sex drive and 58% believed that the pill had a negative impact on their mental health overall. the most common side effects that are reported are a hormonal imbalance, which 40% of women had reported with their experience of the pill. 39% stated that they suffered with mood swings, 24% safety, 19% effectiveness, 19% lower libido, and 11% reported reduced infertility. another side effect of the pill is weight gain, however that usually occurs if you are on the progestogen only pill, yet is possible on what we call the combined pill.

difference between progestogen and the combined pill?

progestogen:
- can be used if you cannot take contraception containing oestrogen.
- is usually prescribed to females who experience migraines, have a history of cancer in their bloodline, and other health conditions such as diabetes.
- people with diabetes cannot take the combined pill as it could cause a decrease in glucose.
- you HAVE to take this daily, at the same time each day, however if you do miss a pill you have between 3-12 hours to take one.
- side effects may include breast tenderness and acne.
- there is no break between a pack of pills. you must start your next pack the next day.

combined pill:
- standard way of taking is consumption of it for 21 days, 1 a day, then taking a break for 7 days, during said break you will experience a period-like bleed, then after 7 days, you can take the pill again.
- if you do not take pill at the same time everyday you may experience vomiting/nausea and diarrhoea.
- minor side effects include nausea, breast tenderness, mood swings, and headaches - which normally settle within the space of a few months.
- very low risk of severe effects such as cervical cancer and/or blood clots.