Contraception deliberately prevents or reduces the likelihood of a woman becoming pregnant. Mechanisms which are intended to avoid the fertilisation of an ovum by a spermatozoon are countless, although not equally reliable: sexual abstention, ‘coitus interruptus’ (withdrawal), the calendar method, condoms, intra-uterine devices, the birth control pill and other hormonal methods of contraception.
Birth control is not unusual nowadays. Inspired by important social and moral objections, people used to disapprove of sexual intercourse before marriage and children were only born ‘spontaneously’ after marriage. These days, matrimony is no longer a stipulation for having children: many couples - married or not - delay ‘reproduction’ until they feel ready for it. Others choose voluntarily not to have children.
All this has been made possible thanks to the advancement of medicine and a broad range of birth control methods is available today. While the introduction of the birth control pill in the 60s gave rise to polemic discussions, today this pill and other hormonal methods of contraception are a common aspect of every young and confident woman, who decides to postpone having children.
Unfortunately, not all birth control methods protect you against HIV infection and other sexually transmittable diseases.
Contraception reduces, but does not eliminate, the risk of either pregnancy and/or HIV. Contraceptives that provide the best levels of protection against pregnancy - such as 'the pill' - offer no protection at all against HIV or other STD's. Barrier methods, such as the condom, when used correctly offer increased protection against STD'd, but are relatively less effective at preventing pregnancy. When you are sexually active it is important that you talk with your doctor about possible risks and preventive methods.
A high degree of HIV protection is provided by consistent correct condom use; inconsistent or incorrect use does not protect. Most HIV transmission occurs because condoms are not used at all during sexual intercourse. Other contraceptives are not recommended to prevent HIV or other sexually diseases from being transmitted.
types of contraception>>
