Protection against unplanned pregnancy There are several ways of avoiding becoming accidentally pregnant. You can do this by using ‘contraceptives', also known as ‘birth control methods'. Some methods are more reliable than others. Safe sex not only means preventing STIs, but also preventing unplanned pregnancy. In the Netherlands, there is a wide choice of contraceptive devices available on the market: - Combination methods: These include the pill, the patch pill and the pill ring. They are given the term ‘combination methods' because they contain two hormones: oestrogen and progesterone
- Methods using only the progesterone hormone: the injection pill, the mini pill, the hormonal implant in the upper arm and the hormonal IUD
- Copper IUDs: copper intra-uterine devices containing copper instead of hormones
- Barrier methods: female and male condoms, the diaphragm and the cap (portia cap)
- Natural methods: taking one's temperature in the morning, assessing the consistency of the cervical mucus, determining the presence of hormonal levels in the urine and the calendar method can all be used to pinpoint when in the monthly cycle ovulation occurs, and avoiding (unprotected) sexual intercourse in that period
- Permanent barrier methods: male or female sterilisation
The birth control method you decide upon is a personal choice. It depends on your age, how often you have sex, your medical history, your personal desires, your possibilities and how safe you wish the method to be. Unfortunately, there is no single device that is 100% reliable. (Source: Brochure: Contraceptive Devices. Rutgers Nisso Groep, Utrecht, 2005) For more detailed information on contraceptive devises please visit : Youth Incentives/Downloads and download the brochure titled: "Contraceptive Devices" |
