Hormonal Contraceptives
Hormonal contraceptives deliver doses of synthetic versions of the female sex hormones (oestrogen and progesterone). This inhibit: ovulation, thickens the mucus of the cervix to make it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus, and keeps the uterine lining from thickening so that a fertilized egg cannot implant in it. The hormones may bead ministered in pill form, through skin implants, or by injection. Hormonal contraceptives are highly effective: typically, more than 90%. Furthermore, they are alleged to be partially or fully reversible within a few months after stopping the treatment .Adverse side effects of hormonal contraceptives can include excess breakthrough bleeding (bleeding between periods), irregular menstrual periods, headaches, hypertension, depression and mood changes, decreased sexual desire, weight gain, blood clotting disorders, hear attacks, strokes, nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness, galactorrhea(discharge of milk from the breast), hot flashes, breast pain, abdominal pain, acne, and drug interactions.
Birth Control Pills
Birth control pill is the most popular form of hormonal contraception. It is taken orally and daily (with 7-day breaks each month)Hormonal Implants Hormonal implants are flexible, matchstick-sized tubes filled with hormone. They are implanted just under the skin of a woman's upper arm so as to regularly deliver small amounts of hormone. They can remain in place up to five years.
Hormonal Injections
Hormonal contraceptive injections are injected into one of the large muscles, usually the buttocks or upper arm, every three months.
Patches
Combined hormonal contraceptives are also available as an adhesive skin patch worn for three out of every four weeks.
Emergency Contraceptive
Pills
Contraceptive pills are 75%effective.
Intra-uterine Device
The intra-uterine device (IUD) or coil, is a small plastic and copper device that is inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. It may also contain an insert with the hormone progesterone. An IUD just be inserted and removed by a medical professional. IUD's work either by interfering with the ability of sperm to fertilize an egg or by preventing a fertilized egg from implanting in the lining of the uterus (the latter action being a form of abortion).Once an IUD is fitted in place, its effectiveness (approximately95%) continues for three to ten years. The IUD can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an infection of the reproductive tract, pelvic inflammatory disorder, and increased menstrual bleeding and cramping. Other possible side effects include an
allergic reaction to copper, perforation of the uterus, and embedding of the IUD in the uterus. Furthermore, a rare but serious complication that could result from using the IUD is the implantation of a fertilized egg outside of the uterus.
Surgical Sterilization
Methods of surgical sterilization, vasectomy for men and tub alligation for women, are 99%effective in preventing pregnancy. They are permanent and mostly irreversible forms of birth control.
Vasectomy
Vasectomy is a surgery where by incisions are made in the scrotum to cut the vas deferens tube and seal the ends to prevent sperm from reaching the penis. Reactions to surgery may include infection, blood clotting near the testes, bruising, swelling, or tenderness of scrotum. Vasectomy does not affect a man's sex drive, and he continues to produce fluid at ejaculation -though sperm-free. Since the produced sperm cannot reach the penis, it is reabsorbed by the body. Though vasectomy is a permanent operation, a reversal operation may, in some rare cases, successfully rejoin the vas deferens tubes to restore fertility
Tubal Ligation
Tubal ligation is a procedure whereby the fallopian tubes are blocked, sealed, or cut and tied to prevent eggs from descending from the ovary to encounter sperm. Reactions to this surgery may include infection, bleeding, and injury to the intestine. Furthermore, this method increases the chance of ectopic(outside the uterus) pregnancy.
Hysterectomy
Hysterectomy involves removing the womb through a cut in the lower abdomen· (abdominal hysterectomy) or through the vagina (vaginal hysterectomy).The surgery is usually recommended only when other treatments are considered unsuitable or have not been effective. Hysterectomy is applied for treating maladious conditions such as: extremely heavy or painful periods, chronic pelvic pain, endometriosis (the tissue lining the womb spreading to other areas), fibroids (benign growths in the womb), prolapse(the womb dropping into the vagina), or cancer of the womb, cervix or ovaries. There are three types of hysterectomy: subtotal (only the womb is removed), total (both the womb and cervix are removed),and radical (the womb, part of the
vagina, and the fallopian tubes are removed).The ovaries are usually left in place because they produce oestrogen, which precludes going into immediate menopause. Next edition, insh a Allah, we shall present the Islamic rulings on these methods of Birth Control.
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited