Is it possible to use 100% contraception? Types of different contraceptive methods and their pros and consObstetrician and gynecologist Lee Yumi

 

 

1. Implanon

 

Implanon is a hormonal device that is inserted under the skin of the arm. The contraceptive effect lasts for 3 years, and after 3 years, it does not dissolve on its own, so you need to visit a doctor to remove it. The cost of the treatment is set at 30~400,000 won.

 

The advantage of Implanon is that the treatment time is very short and simple, about 3~4 minutes, while the contraceptive effect is maintained for a long time of 3 years. In addition, after the procedure, there is no hindrance to activities such as swimming and bathing.

 

However, there are also disadvantages. There are cases of irregular bleeding, which is a common disadvantage of all hormonal drugs, and there is a concern that edema may occur. There are no other known fatal side effects.

 

It is important to note that the device must be inserted precisely into the subcutaneous fat so that it does not have to move out of the body, so it must be performed by an experienced doctor. And since the amount of hormones released is fixed, it is important to note that people with a large physique may be less effective in contraception.

 

2. Intrauterine device

 

It is a method of contraception in which a device is inserted into the uterus. In the past, instead of hormonal drugs, a loop was inserted that released negative ions into the uterus. The negative ions played a role in preventing implantation in the uterus, making contraception possible. However, in this case, there is a somewhat higher chance of increased menstrual bleeding or contraceptive failure.

 

Recently, hormone-releasing devices such as Implanon are often inserted into the uterus. The probability of contraception is 95%, and the contraceptive effect is maintained for 5 years. You may not menstruate while this device is inserted.

 

Insertion of the device is done in a very simple way, which is done by injecting it through the vagina and cutting the connecting thread. Bleeding may occur for 3~6 months immediately after the device is inserted, which is normal bleeding.

 

The advantage of inserting an intrauterine device is that it is inserted directly into the uterus, so it releases less hormone than Implanon, which spreads throughout the body and has a contraceptive effect, so there are fewer hormonal side effects. In addition, women who have given birth have a wider opening to the uterus, which makes the insertion process easier, making it a suitable contraceptive tool.

 

However, the downside is that it can also cause acne and weight gain, which are side effects of hormonal drugs. In addition, if you cut the thread connected to the device halfway, there may be discomfort during sexual intercourse.

 

As a caveat, you should visit the doctor every year to make sure the loop is in good shape and working as intended, and if there is too much bleeding or inflammation, it may be difficult to treat and may need to be removed.

 

3. Permanent contraception

 

There are two types of permanent contraception: tubal ligation* for women and vasectomy for men. Recently, the trend has been decreasing, and the reason for this is that women may develop a disease called 'tubal ligation syndrome' in which water nodules form in the ovaries, and this disease has a major side effect that once it occurs, it can easily cause symptoms even if the ligation is removed. In addition, an academic study found that men who have had a vasectomy have an increased risk of developing prostate cancer.

 

4. Oral contraceptives

 

Female oral contraceptives, which work to relax ovarian ovulation, can also be a good method of contraception. There are many different types of oral contraceptives, from the second to the fourth generation. The criterion for dividing the types of contraceptives is the type of progesterone that is included in the drug components. The effects and product names of different types are as follows.

 

 

Among them, fourth-generation oral contraceptives are classified as prescription drugs that require a doctor's prescription.

This is because among the fourth-generation oral contraceptives, Yaz and Yasmine are effective against PMS*, and Clara is a functional contraceptive that has a PMS and irregular bleeding suppression.

*PMS: PMS: PMS, depression, uncontrollability of emotions, severe swelling, and pain

 

However, since the 4th generation contraceptive pill can cause more than twice as much blood clots as the 2nd~3rd generation oral contraceptives, it is recommended to use the 2nd~3rd generation oral contraceptives when taken for simple menstrual cycle control. In addition, it should be noted that all contraceptives increase the incidence of blood clots due to smoking.

 

The advantage of oral contraceptives is that they are inexpensive, and if they do not suit the individual's constitution, they can be easily switched to a pill with a different composition. In addition, because it relaxes ovulation, it may have a protective effect against cancer. However, the disadvantage is that it can be cumbersome to have to take it at a fixed time.

 

5. Condoms and other contraceptive methods

 

There are also other methods of contraception, such as condoms that are placed on a man's genitals during sexual intercourse, and the morning-after pill. Condoms can be an advantage in terms of preventing various sexually transmitted diseases. However, it is easy to have problems such as bursting condoms due to defective products or incorrect usage, and the failure rate of contraception is close to 18%.

 

Emergency contraception pills are taken within three days of sexual intercourse, but their effectiveness decreases rapidly over time. In addition, it is sold at a high price and contains a high concentration of hormones, so it can cause various side effects on the body, so it has the limitation that it cannot be used frequently.

 

In addition, there are other contraceptive methods such as contraceptive injections, but they are not commonly used in Korea due to limitations such as unintended pregnancy because the contraceptive effect does not last for a long time, contrary to the proven effect of contraception.