CONTRACEPTION
TECHNIQUES
The
word "contraception" roughly translates into "avoiding conception"
of a child. Some contraceptive methods work by preventing
the man's sperm from penetrating the woman's egg (e.g.,
barrier methods such as condoms and diaphram), while other
hormone-based contraceptives work by preventing the woman's
ovary from releasing an egg at all during her menstrual
cycle (e.g., the Pill). Of course,
the only contraceptive method which provides fool-proof
protection against pregnancy AND all sexually transmitted
diseases is abstinence.
The
goal of most contraceptive techniques is to
prevent sperm from fertilizing an egg. This event
can be prevented by:
-
not
engaging in sex practices where semen could contact
the vagina in any way.
-
preventing
the ovary from releasing an egg by hormonal treatment
(e.g., The Pill, Norplant, Depo-Provera)
-
preventing
sperm from entering the vagina (e.g., condom, vasectomy)
-
preventing
sperm from entering the cervix (e.g., diaphragm, cervical
cap, sponge)
-
killing
of sperm in the vagina (e.g., spermicidal foam or gel)
-
preventing
sperm from fertilizing the egg (IUD (intrauterine device))
Even
with the most careful use, any method can potentially fail
(except true abstinence). Abstinence doesn't
necessarily mean taking holy orders, and you don't have
to be a virgin to do it. People may choose to
abstain from sexual intercourse or activities where semen
can contact the vagina for a time. This time can be
days, weeks, months, years, or certain days each month (rhythm
method).
In
the meantime, they may choose to engage in other activities
like kissing, touching, hugging, heavy petting, mutual
masturbation (with no contact between the genitals and ejaculation
well away from the partner), solo masturbation, or oral-genital
stimulation. Keep in mind, however, that although
the risk of pregnancy is zero, getting a sexually transmitted
infection (STI, STD) is possible with activities where the
genital regions or secretions of one partner come in contact
with some part of the other partner.
