The birth of a child should take place when the parents have the emotional and psychological maturity necessary to help it develop harmoniously. Let's not forget that a wanted child is a loved child. Unfortunately, the rate of unwanted pregnancies in 2024 is still very high, as is the rate of abortions. And all this despite the fact that there are many contraceptive methods available.
Dr. Camelia Mihalca, primary care physician in obstetrics and gynecology, explains how to prevent an unwanted pregnancy while also avoiding the complications and inconveniences that arise from not knowing contraceptive methods.
If you have any dissatisfaction with contraceptive methods or want to know which type of contraception suits you, you can schedule an online consultation with one of the doctors on the Digital Clinics platform for competent advice.
2 The intrauterine device/simple or slow-release hormone (progesterone of various concentrations) intrauterine device is fitted by the gynecologist inside the uterus. It is fitted under local anesthesia and only takes a few minutes. The simple IUD works on the principle of the intrauterine foreign body that prevents nidation (fixation of the fertilized egg in the uterine mucosa). The progesterone-based IUD works by releasing small amounts of the hormone daily that act on ovulation, but especially on the modification of the cervical mucus that makes it unsuitable for sperm penetration.
3 The subdermal progesterone implant is a relatively new method of contraception and is valid for 3 years. A small stick of only 4 cm long and 2 mm in diameter is inserted under the skin on the inner side of the arm and for three years releases small amounts of progesterone daily that provide protection against an unwanted pregnancy. Overweight women need to change this implant earlier than three years, but the gynecologist will determine the moment when the implant should be changed.
4 The barrier contraceptive, i.e. the condom, in addition to protecting against an unwanted pregnancy, has "a decisive role in protecting against sexually transmitted diseases", draws the attention of the gynecologist, Camelia Mihalca.
5 The diaphragm and spermicides are two other methods of contraception, but they are only recommended in certain situations, because the failure rate is higher in their case.
Spermicides are substances inserted into the vagina before sexual intercourse in the form of creams/ovules that have the role of destroying sperm.
The diaphragm or intravaginal ring also works on the principle of a contraceptive pill, except that the hormones are inserted into that intravaginal ring that the patient fixes in the vagina herself. It rhythmically releases estrogen and progesterone, and after 21 days it must be removed, there is a 7-day break, after which the woman will insert another intravaginal ring with hormone release.
6 The withdrawal method and the calendar method are the oldest methods, but also the least reliable. Doctors do not really recommend them because of the high failure rate. "Women with an extremely regular cycle are rarer, even so sometimes ovulation can occur on a different day than the one the patient calculates using the calendar method, therefore the chance of having an unwanted pregnancy is very high. Similarly to the withdrawal method, the partner can miss the right moment and seminal fluid and sperm can enter the vagina, even in small quantities, thus leading to pregnancy," says Dr. Camelia Mihalca.
7 The morning-after pill/emergency contraception is taken as soon as possible after unprotected sexual intercourse, because it has an effect on ovulation and blocks the occurrence of an unwanted pregnancy. It can be administered in the first 72 hours after the moment of unprotected sexual intercourse, but the sooner it is taken, the better the action. "This pill contains a higher amount of estrogen and progesterone, which means it is similar to taking several pills from a blister pack at once, and therefore this method can only be used in exceptional cases. A maximum of twice a year. Otherwise, it can lead to heavy bleeding, menstrual cycle disorders," says doctor Camelia Mihalca.
Active thromboembolic disease or one in the antecedent or the patient suffers from deep vein thrombosis; in such cases, contraceptive pills are not indicated. Contraceptive pills are also not indicated for women with liver diseases. For this reason, women, especially those who have been taking contraceptive medication for years, should have their liver tests done from time to time. For women who cannot use contraceptive medication, there are other methods described above.
Women who have vaginal infections are contraindicated for using IUDs as a contraceptive method. The presence of the IUD promotes the penetration of pathogens from the vagina into the peritoneal cavity, leading to very severe complications. Furthermore, the presence of vaginal infections and the IUD can cause tubal obstruction and a high rate of ectopic pregnancies.
Myth 1. Taking contraceptive pills makes us gain weight or affects our fertility. False, say doctors. "Contraception does not make you fat and does not affect fertility. Indeed, older generation contraceptives still created problems because the dosage of estrogen and progesterone was different. It was not related to the phenomenon of gaining weight, but to water retention/water retention which is a false gain. Recent generation contraceptives no longer cause this problem. On the contrary! They have beneficial effects on the woman's body. Contraceptive pills successfully solve two problems: they combat menstrual pain and heavy menstruation, which is why they are indicated both for contraception and for solving medical problems such as those mentioned earlier.
Myth 2. Contraceptive pills protect us from sexually transmitted diseases. False. Contraceptive pills protect us 24 hours a day against an unwanted pregnancy, but not from a sexually transmitted disease. For something like that, there is the condom, the most appropriate way to protect ourselves. "I insist on this because many people confuse things and I think that pills are a panacea. No, the only thing that protects us from sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancy is the use of condoms. That's it!", says doctor Camelia Mihalca.
1. Get accurate information from credible sources on contraceptive methods to avoid an unwanted pregnancy. Curettage is a variant to avoid, when there are so many contraceptive methods available, suitable for every woman.
2. Go to a gynecological consultation periodically, your doctor will determine exactly which contraceptive methods are right for you.
3. Listen to your specialist's advice and follow them exactly. There is no "It doesn't happen to me! Because it can happen to anyone!"
4. Uterine curettage is not a solution, it leaves deep
physical and psychological trauma on the woman. It is not desirable!
