1.
Natural Family Planning This method involves avoiding sexual intercourse during your "fertile period", which is the time when the egg eaves the ovary and enters the fallopian tube.
The three methods of natural family planning are:

1. The basal body temperature method
2. Taking your temperature every morning.
   A small rise in temperature indicates ovulation.
   
3. The calendar method
4. Involves calculating the time you ovulate, which is about 2 weeks before your period begins.
   
5. The cervical mucus method
6. When the vaginal mucus is clear and thin, it indicates ovulation.
   

Disadvantages of these methods

• Normal menstrual cycle can be unpredictable
• The least effective birth control option
• Requires a lot of motivation and careful record keeping
• May provoke sexual friction due to periodic abstinence
• Doesn't protect against HIV infection and other STDs

FAILURE RATE: 20% - 30% 2.
The Condom

• The male condom is a thin rubber sheath that covers the penis.
  
• Protects against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
  
• Sperm is trapped inside the condom, preventing it from entering the vagina.
  
• The female condom is a loose-fitting pouch that lines the vaginal wall and provides a covered passageway for the penis.
  

Disadvantages of this method

• Condoms can break during intercourse.
  
• Usage requires planning and effort.
  
• Some people may be allergic to certain ingredients in the condom and may experience rash, itching or irritation.
  

FAILURE RATE: 2% - 10% 3.
The Diaphragm and Cervical Cap

• This is a small rubber cap that is inserted into the vagina before sexual intercourse.
  
• A small amount of spermicide is spread around the inside and along the rim to protect against pregnancy for 6 hours after insertion.
  
• The diaphragm/cervical cap covers the cervix, blocking sperm from reaching the eggs.
  
• The cervical cap should remain in place for 8 hours after intercourse, and the diaphragm should remain in place 6 hours after intercourse.
  

Disadvantages of this method

• May become dislodged.
  
• Requires a prescription and must be fitted by a health care professional.
  
• Must be left in place 6 - 8 hours after intercourse and must be used each time.
  
• Doesn't protect against HIV infection and other STDs.
  
• There is an increased risk of urinary tract infection.
  
• Some women may be allergic to spermicides.
  
• Diaphragm can be messy and needs application of spermicide with each act of intercourse.
  

4.
Indra-uterine Device (IUD) This is a small device which is placed in the uterus to inhibit fertilisation.
There are two types of IUD, one releases small amounts of a female hormone (progestin) and the other contains copper.
Disadvantages of the IUD

• Doesn't protect against HIV infection (AIDS) and other STDs.
  
• Insertion of the IUD may be uncomfortable
• Cramps and bleeding may continue for the first few weeks after insertion.
  

FAILURE RATE: 2% - 4% 5.
Female Sterilization This surgical method closes or severs the fallopian tube, which carries the eggs from the ovary to the uterus.
There are 3 main procedures a.
Ligation - cutting and tying the ends off b.
Clips - clamping the tube c.
Cauterization - fusing the tube shut Disadvantages of this method

• Does not protect against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases
• Complications including infection, damage to blood vessels and bleeding can occur.
  

FAILURE RATE: LESS THAN 1% 6.
Oral Contraceptives (Pill)

• Oral Contraceptives are a series of pills taken daily that contain synthetic estrogen and progestogen.
  
• These two hormones prevent ovulation, endometrium growth and also thicken the cervical mucus, thus making if more difficult for sperm to reach the egg.
  

The advantages of using the pill are

• The Pill is easy to take.
  
• The pill can prevent unintended pregnancy.
  
• If the Pill is used correctly, taken at the same time each day, it is more than 99% effective.
  
• The pill provided not only contraceptive benefits but also many potential non-contraceptive benefits.
  

Disadvantages of this method

• The Pill does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases and also HIV infection.
  
• Side effects such as weight gain/loss, nausea, vomiting, spotting, headache and depression, breast tenderness.
  

FAILURE RATE: 0.
5% - 2% How does the Oral Contraceptive pill work?

• The oral contraceptive pill contains two types of synthetic hormones known as oestrogen and progesterone.
  These are similar to the natural hormones produced by the ovaries in your body.
  
• These two hormones cause the pituitary gland to lesson the production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and lutenising hormones (LH), which are responsible for stimulating the ovaries.
  
• The ovaries will not be stimulated without FSH and LH.
  You will not ovulate because no eggs will be produced in the body.
  
• Fertilization cannot occur (sperm meeting the egg) because no ovulation takes place.
  
• The mucus surrounding the cervix also thickens at this time so that the sperm have difficulty in getting into the uterus and reaching the eggs.
  

Types of contraceptive pills There are two main types.

1. Combined oral contraceptive (COC) which contains oestrogen and progesterone hormones in different doses.
   
2. The "mini" pill that contains only the progesterone hormone.
   

Non contraceptive benefits of the pill

1. Reduced menstrual blood loss
2. Reduced risk of ovarian cysts
3. Protective against developing cancer of the ovaries
4. Fewer menstrual cramps
5. Improved menstrual cycle regularity
6. Reduced risk of ectopic pregnancy
7. Decreased incidence of benign breast cysts or lumps
8. Reduced risk of pelvic inflammatory disease
9. Protective against developing cancer of the lining of the uterus

Possible side effects of the Pill Few, if any side effects are experienced by most women who take the contraceptive pill.
It may be of benefit to women who have irregular periods as their period may occur more regularly than before taking the pill.
Many women experience a lighter menstrual flow with less cramping.
However, some women may experience some side effects.
Possible side effects are nausea, vomiting, breakthrough bleeding, gastrointestinal upsets, spotting, change in menstrual flow, amenorrhoea, hypertension, edema, breast changes, weight change and also migraine.
Most common side effects are not serious and diminish over a period of time.
Discontinuation of the pill is not recommended in most cases.
Who should not use the Pill A woman with:

1. Known or suspected o estrogen-dependent neoplasia.
   
2. Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding.
   
3. Known or suspected carcinoma of the breast.
   
4. Any ocular lesion arising from ophthalmic vascular disease, such as partial or complete loss of vision or defect in visual fields.
   
5. When pregnancy is suspected or diagnosed.
   
6. History or actual thrombophlebitis or thromboembolic disorders.
   
7. History of actual myocardial infarction or coronary arterial disease.
   
8. History or actual cerebrovascular disorders.