contraception

• fertility can be controlled by a variety of hormonal and non-hormonal methods of contraception

  • oral i.e. pill
  • implant / skin patch
  • barrier e.g. condom
  • intrauterine devices
  • spermicidal agents
  • abstaining
  • surgical methods
• oral contraceptive contain hormones which inhibit FSH production

  this means no eggs mature

  adv = highly effective if taken correctly

  disadv = must be taken everyday

  side effects including increased risk of breast cancer / blood clots
• an implant/injection/skin patch (hormonal) which slowly releases progesterone to inhibit the maturation and release of eggs for a number of months or years

  adv = convenient that taking a pill

  disadv = side effects and doesn't protect against STI
• a barrier method e.g. condoms prevent the sperm reaching an egg

  adv = don't use hormones = no side effects , and reduce the risk of STI

  disadv = can break
• spermicidal agents kill or disable sperm which reduces the chances of fertilisation
• intrauterine devices (coil) prevent the implantation of an embryo or release a hormone

  adv = highly effective, very few side effects

  disadv = doesnt prevent STi
• surgical methods or male (prevents the sperm leaving the penis) and female sterilisation (prevents the egg from reaching uterus)

  adv = very effective

  disadv = difficult to reverse, must be certain they don't want children, and don't protect STI
• abstaining from intercourse during the time after ovulation (when an egg may be in the oviduct)

  = natural

  disadv = hard to tell when a woman has ovulated and doesn't protect against STI
• the issues around contraception can't be answered by science alone

  e.g. Catholic Church teaches that all contraception is unethical

  some people believe it is a persons right to choose what works best for them , and condoms reduces the risk of STIs