Don't use it for contraception

Male condoms are currently the most commonly used male contraceptive tool, with a contraceptive effectiveness of over 95%. They are currently used by 40 million couples around the world. However, they often feel that they cannot enjoy the sex life because the penis cannot directly contact the vaginal wall. Some men are also afraid that the contraceptive condom will break and affect the quality of their sexual life. So what other methods are there for contraception?

1. Oral contraceptive pills

Oral contraceptives are sex hormone drugs and will definitely affect the sexual desire of some women. However, this effect is often bidirectional, that is, some women may experience decreased sexual desire or sexual dysfunction, while other women experience enhanced sexual sensitivity and ability after taking the medicine. The key lies in their knowledge and attitude towards contraceptives and birth control pills. For the vast majority of women, oral contraceptives have little effect on their sexual life.

2. Vaginal Ring

It is a soft, transparent rubber contraceptive device that slowly breaks down hormones, estrogen and flavonoids. The vaginal ring is about two inches in diameter and is inserted into the vagina to prevent pregnancy. Each vaginal ring can provide contraceptive effect for one month.

Contraceptive success rate:

The contraceptive success rate of the vaginal ring is similar to that of hormonal contraceptive methods, reaching a contraceptive rate of 92%. That is to say, on average, only 8 out of 100 women using the vaginal ring will have an unexpected pregnancy.

Side effects and potential health risks:

Side effects of the vaginal ring include: vaginal infection, vaginal irritation, abnormal vaginal bleeding, headache, chest tightness, weight gain or weight loss, dizziness, vomiting, abdominal distension, loss of libido and depression. Women who use vaginal rings have a slightly higher risk of heart disease and stroke than other women.

How to use the vaginal ring:

If you decide to use the vaginal ring, you will need to insert the ring into your vagina and leave it in place for 3 months. Here are some other tips for use:

You can place the ring anywhere in your vagina, but the deeper you place it, the harder it will be to detect.

If the vaginal ring becomes misplaced, it should be removed with warm water and reinserted within 3 hours.

If you leave the vaginal ring out for more than three hours when you first use it, its contraceptive effectiveness will decrease, so you should use it in conjunction with other contraceptive methods.

Do not insert the vaginal ring in the fourth week to ensure the normal menstrual cycle.

3. Vaginal diaphragm and cervical cap

The vaginal diaphragm can easily shift due to improper use, causing discomfort during sexual intercourse; the cervical cap is fixed more securely on the cervix and will not shift due to vaginal expansion, so it has less impact on sexual life. It is a safe and reliable contraceptive tool for women. When in use, place it at the top of the vagina, covering the cervical opening, so that the sperm in the vagina cannot enter the uterine cavity, thereby achieving the purpose of contraception.

There are 7 types of vaginal diaphragms. Each type of vaginal diaphragm is made of latex film, and the rubber membrane around the edges is inlaid with spring coils, so it is soft and elastic. According to the outer diameter of the spring coil (mm), it is divided into models such as So, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75 and 80. The most commonly used sizes for women of childbearing age in my country are 65, 70 and 65. When using a vaginal diaphragm for contraception, you must be examined by a gynecologist before placement. If there are no contraindications, use your fingers to measure the distance from the posterior vaginal fornix to the lower edge of the pubic symphysis, and then use a ruler to measure its length in order to select the appropriate model of vaginal diaphragm. If the size is too small, the cervical opening will not be covered tightly, the diaphragm will be easily displaced, and sperm will easily pass through and enter the uterine cavity, causing contraceptive failure; if the size is too large, the vaginal wall may be squeezed and damaged. Therefore, it is very important to choose the model of vaginal diaphragm.

The diaphragm is usually removed 8 to 12 hours after sexual intercourse. Sperm can survive in the vagina for 8 to 12 hours. If it is removed too early, some sperm may still be active in the vagina and may enter the cervix and uterine cavity, causing pregnancy, and contraception may fail. The placement time should not be too long, no more than 24 hours, so as not to irritate the vaginal wall and cause excessive secretions and discomfort or infection.

The diaphragm is removed in the same way as it was inserted. Insert your fingers into the vagina, hook the front edge of the vaginal diaphragm, and slowly pull it upward and outward. The removed vaginal diaphragm should be washed with soapy water and checked for leaks or ruptures. If there is no damage, wipe it clean, apply talcum powder, wrap it and store it for future use. As long as it is used properly, a vaginal diaphragm can provide contraception for about 2 years.