Name: Tishana Thompson

Class: 11-6
Teacher: Mrs. Foster McFarlane
Title Page #

Acknowledgement 1

Introduction

Method A: Natural Method

Method B: Barrier Method

Method C: Hormonal Method

Method D: Surgical Method

Section II: Question

Reference
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my special thanks of gratitude to my teacher who gave me the
golden opportunity to do this wonderful project, which also helped me in doing a lo of research
and I came to know about so many things, I am thankful to them.

Secondly, I would like to thank my mother and friends who helped me a lot in preparing this
project within the limited time frame.
This project is about Birth Control and four different methods that come along with it with their
advantages and disadvantages.
 Introduction

Birth control (Contraception) refers to the practice of intentionally and knowingly managing
the number of children born, especially by reducing or eliminating the possibility of conceiving.

There are many forms of birth control, they can be broadly classified as follows:
Natural/Behavioral methods, Surgical methods, Barrier methods and Hormonal methods. All
these methods come along with its advantages and disadvantages which affects the patrons
participating.
 Method A

Natural/Traditional Method

Natural birth control is a method of preventing pregnancy without the use of medications
or physical devices. These concepts are based on awareness and observations about a woman’s
body and menstrual cycle, which is commonly known as Rhythm Method. The natural method
is chosen by some groups opposed to contraception for religious or ethical reasons.

How it works?
Refraining from sexual intercourse during those times in menstrual cycle when ferlitization
is likely.

Advantages
No devices used
No drugs used cost savings,
lack of prescriptions or health-care visits

Disadvantages
Not really reliable because women can have irregular menstrual cycles
Natural methods are not as effective as some forms of contraception.
Ovulation test kits are used by some couples using natural methods of contraception, and
the cost of these kits is another potential disadvantage.
Being unable to have intercourse at certain times of the month is a disadvantage for some
women.
Examples of natural methods of birth control include:
Calendar rhythm method - time of ovulation is predicted and intercourse is avoided around
this time.
Abstinence – refrain from sexual intercourse
Coitus interruptus (withdrawal) – male withdraws penis before ejaculation, preventing from
being deposited in vagina
Basal body temperature method
Cervical mucus examination
 Method B
Barrier Method

Barrier methods of birth control involve preventing the sperm from reaching and fertilizing
the egg. Such methods are available for both male and female.

Example Method Advantage Disadvantage

A barrier that prevents Easily obtained.
Male Unreliable if not
sperm entering the Protects against
condom used properly.
vagina. STIs (e.g. HIV).
A barrier that prevents
Easily obtained.
Female sperm passing up the Unreliable if not
Protects against
condom female reproductive used properly.
STIs (e.g. HIV).
system.

Other examples:
Diaphragms, vaults and cervical caps are also some other types of barriers that are
made of rubber that can be inserted into the female reproductive tract to coat the cervix during
intercourse. These prevent the conception by restricting the entry of sperms through the cervix.
These can be used again.

Sponge - A contraceptive sponge is inserted into the vagina. It has a depression to hold
it in place over the cervix. Foam is placed into the vagina using an applicator. The foam is a
spermicide that destroys the male sperm, and the sponge acts as a barrier to stop the sperm
from reaching the egg.
Diagrams showing examples of Diaphragms, Vaults and Cervical caps

Diagram showing an image of a Contraceptive Sponge

Spermicidal creams, foams and jellies are also used with these barriers to enhance the
contraceptive efficiency.

Advantages
These products, especially condoms are easily available and also protect from sexually
transmitted diseases.

Disadvantage
These are not completely reliable especially if not used properly or condoms break due
to some reason.
 Method C
Hormonal/Chemical Method

Hormonal contraception is the administration of hormones to prevent ovulation.

Hormones can be taken orally in birth control pills, implanted under the skin, injected into a
muscle, or received transdermally from a skin patch. These methods rely on the use of
hormones (usually a combination of progesterone and estrogen) that disrupt the normal
menstrual cycle in the female, resulting in a suppression of ovulation and hence conception.

While the birth control pill is the most common of these methods, other common
hormonal methods of birth control are implants (such as Norplant) that release hormone
continuously or injections of hormones every few months that likewise suppress ovulation.

Examples Method Advantage Disadvantage

Female needs to remember to
Taken regularly by the
take the pill. Side effects include
Contraceptive female. Prevents ovulation
Very reliable. weight gain, mood swings or an
pill by changing hormone
increased risk of blood clots. Does
levels.
not protect against STIs.
A small tube placed under
the skin of the upper arm. Very reliable.
Contraceptive Does not protect against STIs. Can
Releases hormones slowly Can work for
implant prevent menstruation.
over a long period of time. up to 3 years.
Prevents ovulation.

Other examples:

Depo-Provera Injection – Woman gets four injections of progesterone like substance

each year to stop release of FSH and LH

The intrauterine device (IUD), or coil - is a small, flexible T-shaped device that is placed
in the uterus by a physician. There are two types:

1. A copper IUD - releases copper, and this acts as a spermicide. It can last up to 10 years.

2. A hormonal IUD contains progestin - It prevents the sperm from reaching and fertilizing
the egg by thickening the cervical mucus and thinning the wall of the uterus. It stays in place as
long as pregnancy is not desired. Depending on the type, it will last for 3, 5 or 10 years. It is over
99 percent effective.

Vaginal ring – The contraceptive vaginal ring is a flexible, plastic ring that releases a low
dose of progestin and estrogen over 3 weeks. It prevents ovulation and thickens the
cervical mucus, so that sperm cannot move easily.

Emergency “morning after” contraception – may prevent pregnancy after intercourse.

It prevents ovulation, fertilization, or implantation of an embryo. It is different from medical
methods of termination, because these act after the egg is already implanted in the womb.
Emergency contraception can be used up to 72 hours after unprotected sex. It is 95 percent
effective during the first 24 hours, falling to 60 percent by 72 hours.

Advantages
They are all highly effective
Their effects are reversible. They do not rely on spontaneity and can be used in advance
of sexual activity.

Disadvantages
Necessity of taking medications continuously.

An image showing an example of a contraceptive pill

An image showing an example of a contraceptive implant

Images showing examples of IUD

Image showing an example of a vaginal ring
 Method D
Surgical Method

Surgical method involves cutting and tying off sperm ducts in men and oviducts in women
to prevent spermatozoa from reach the ovum. Surgery is done to block the gamete transfer and
thereby prevent conception. In males, this procedure is called vasectomy, and in females, it is
called tubectomy (sterilization).
 Vasectomy – A small portion of vas deferens is tied up or removed through a small cut
on the scrotum.
 Tubectomy or Tubal ligation – A small portion of the fallopian tube is removed or tied
up through a small cut in the abdomen or vagina.
These methods are quite efficient in the prevention of pregnancy but once done; these
can’t always be reversed.

Advantages
It is a very effective and permanent method of contraception.
It does not affect sex drive.
It doesn’t interfere with spontaneity of sexual intercourse.
There is no effect on your normal hormonal rhythms or periods.

Disadvantages
It requires surgery, usually under a general anesthetic.
There is a risk, albeit low, of surgical complications such as internal bleeding, infection
or damage to other organs.
If the procedure fails and a pregnancy occurs (this is rare), there is an increased risk that
it will be an ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus), which can cause serious
internal bleeding.
Reversing the procedure is difficult, so should only be undertaken by women who are
absolutely certain that they do not want any (more) children.
It does not protect you from STIs
An image showing the outcome of the Tubal Ligation procedure
 SECTION II
QUESTION

Give an indication (with plausible reasoning) of which method you would choose (when you
become sexually active at 30 and married) having researched all of the birth control methods.

I would choose the Hormonal method because from researches it is 99% effective and once it’s in
place, I wouldn’t have to think about it again until 3 years and it would be easier because I think
it would be difficult trying to remember to talk a pill every day.
 Reference

Bullough, Vern, and Bonnie Bullough. Contraception: A Guide to Birth Control Methods.
Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books, 1997.

Knowles, Jon, and Marcia Ringel. All About Birth Control: A Personal Guide. New York: Crown
Publishers, 1998.

Peacock, Judith. Birth Control and Protection: Choices for Teens (Perspectives on Healthy
Sexuality). Mankato, MN: Capstone, 2000.