Natural Methods.
Natural Family Planning (NFP) is the set of methods which help women to achieve or avoid pregnancy by identifying times of infertility and potential fertility. NFP excludes the use of artificial birth control methods and acts that result in ejaculation outside the vagina. Several NFP methods fall under the category of fertility awareness. Today a woman can obtain a fertility monitor such as the Ladycomp or Babycomp to help identify her fertile days. Women who have fertility concerns can also be helped.
Barrier Methods
One of the older methods of birth control is the barrier method. For many years, women have prevented pregnancy by using some type of material inserted into their vagina to block sperm. One popular method involved a small piece of natural sponge soaked in vinegar. Although it wasn't the most effective form of contraception , it did help. It also paved the way for today's generation of barrier methods * One example is the Oves Contraceptive cap.
The three main types of barriers are the diaphragm , the cervical cap and the contraceptive sponge .
When it comes to the Sponges the two main ones are the Today Sponge and the Protective Sponge .
These products also use spermicides to hepl prevent pregnancy.
Barrier methods of birth control are becoming increasingly popular in North America, as they are easy to use and have few side effects. Two every popluar products are the Oves made in France and the Lea Shield made in the USA . The cervical cap works to prevent pregnancy by blocking the cervix, which is the entrance to the uterus. The cervical cap tightly covers the cervix, preventing sperm from entering the uterus and fertilizing an egg. The cap is held in place by your vaginal muscles, which stop it from becoming dislodged during intercourse. The cervical cap is intended to be used with spermicide, which works to kill any sperm that come into contact with the cap.
The diaphragm is a type of barrier birth control that is used to prevent sperm from entering the uterus. Made out of a thin, flexible silicone rubber, the diaphragm looks much like a small dome or cup. Designed with a flexible ring around the top, the diaphragm is inserted into the vagina prior to sexual intercourse. The diaphragm should be used along with a spermicidal cream or jelly in order to increase its effectiveness
Spermicide is a substance that kills sperm . Usually they are used to increase the effectivity of contraceptive barrier methods such as diaphragms condoms and cervical caps as they are only somewhat effective alone. Various contraceptive sponges use spermicides.
It has been suggested, however, that the amount of nonoxynol-9 used on condoms is not enough to significantly increase their effectiveness as contraception.
The most common active ingredient of spermicides is nonoxynol-9 , to which some people are allergic. Previously, it was believed that nonoxynol-9 reduced the risk of HIV infection as it was thought to kill the virus. However, nonoxynol-9 has been shown to increase the risk of contracting HIV because it creates tiny abrasions in the vaginal and rectal walls that make transmission of HIV and other STDs more likely.
Other spermicides include octoxynol-8 , benzalkonium chloride , and sodium cholate. A common urban legend suggests that Coca-Cola serves as an effective spermicide. This is false,
