Contraceptives Flashcards
Male Condom / Advantages
cheap/readily accessible
- reliable when properly used
- STD protection
- no side effects of hormonebased contraception
-fully/immediately reversible
Male Condom / Disadvantages
may ↓ spontaneity
- male must maintain erection for
duration of condom use
- may ↓ erotic sensation
- reliability is less than ideal with
typical use
Male Condom / Notes
most are made of latex, although
natural tissue condoms are available
- some are coated with spermicide
- strategies to prevent breakage:
regular inspection of condom, use of
lubrication, thicker condoms,
changing condoms
Female Condom / Advantages
only female controlled
contraceptive to offer STD
protection
- allows for spontaneity (can be
inserted up to 8 hours before)
- does not require male to
maintain erection
- easily & immediately
reversible
- can be used for anal sex
Female Condom / Disadvantages
may ↓ erotic sensation/ may
generate distracting noise
- possibility of inserting penis
unwillingly outside of condom
- possibility of entire condom
being drawn into vagina
- male & female condoms should
not be used simultaneously
(creates friction)
Female Condom / Notes
male condom still preferred over
female condom
- to use: the inner ring is first
squeezed between the fingers &
then pushed into the vagina with a
finger until it can’t be felt. This draws
most of the condom into the vagina,
but the larger end should remain
outside
Diaphragms / A
more spontaneity than
condoms (because it can be
inserted beforehand)
- does not usu. affect sensation
- relatively cheap
- long tem use associated w/ a
lower risk of cervical cancer
Diaphragm / D
- inconvenient (needs to be fitted
by professional) (also, a need to
insert, remove & clean) - occas. dislodged during coitus
- less STD protection than
condoms - spermicide can cause irritation
- occasional UTI occurrence
Diaphragm / Notes
- must be used in conjunction with a
spermicidal cream or jelly - less than 1 in 50 W use it
- Lea’s Shield: new type of
diaphragm with a one-way valve,
thus helping to form a close seal
against the cervix & allows for
passage of cervical mucus - how to use a diaphragm on pg. 279
Cervical Cap / A
- similar to those of the
diaphragm but with some
differences: - cervical cap as an alternative
to the diaphragm (as some W
have much difficulty using a
diaphragm)
Cervical Cap / D
- similar to those of the
diaphragm but with some
differences: - failure rate is higher, especially
in W who have had children - difficult to insert properly
- can be dislodged during coitus
Cervical Cap / Notes
must be prescribed & individually
fitted
- FemCap approved in 2003
- like the diaphragm, it is good for W
who need to be in charge of their
own contraception, without using
hormones
Spermicides / A
- available w/o a prescription
- inexpensive
- few side effects (allergic
reactions/irritation from
frequent use)
Spermicides / D
- failure rates are high when
used as a solo method (25%) - best used in combo with barrier
methods - no significant STD protection
Spermicides / Notes
- available as a contraceptive in a
variety of forms - Today sponge acts as both a
physical barrier & spermicide
releasing agent
