Birth Control

Barrier methods comprise anything else that imposes an effective barrier between sperm and the egg including cervical cap, diaphragm, condoms, and any other spermicides. Condom is the only measure that physically stops sperm from reaching towards the egg. The cervical cap and diaphragm are both methods used in order to hold spermicide against the cervix, but not actually for preventing sperms from reaching the egg.

Nowadays, majority of condoms are impregnated with the spermicide. It’s all because of presumed protection nonoxynol-9 that protect against the sexually transmitted diseases. Nonoxynol-9 gains ability to destroy herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomonas, and HIV in vitro. Some organisms like HIV may not get exposed to spermicide throughout sexual intercourse because of their intracellular nature, thus, protection may not be that secured.

When it comes to birth controlling method, condoms can be comparatively effective. If they are used properly and consistently, the failure rates are assumed to be as least 3%, although actual standard failure rates are about 10-14%. Using condoms in addition to an intravaginal spermicide offers about 96% safety from the pregnancy. The healthy and non-infected couples that prefer using condoms may choose the comfort of the lambskin condoms. Since the pores present in these condoms are comparatively larger for protecting perfectly against the viral-size organism, they do pretty fine to keep the sperm out.

The same is the process how the caps and diaphragms perform. Actually, they both cover the cervix as well as hold the spermicide either against cervix or facing towards the vagina’s entrance. At present, the suction based cervical cap is not available in US and it’s all due to the decision made by the European manufacturer. FemCap, perhaps the latest birth control method, is something that is available nowadays. None-allergic, latex-free materials is used during the manufacturing process of FemCap and is designed intending to provide coverage to the cervix. It’s necessary to apply a FemCap before the arousal and must be kept in a proper place for 6 hours, at least, after the last sexual intercourse. The cervix is covered by the latex shield well-known as a diaphragm. Diaphragms arrive in numerous sizes, and determining the correct size is something that is must-be-done task by the health-care practitioners as a part of their pelvic exam.


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