Contraceptives

(Chemical) 
Tamoya Shirley, Nathan Pinnock, Quwhayne Eunich, Daniela Phillips,
T’Yanna Taylor, Aquilla Williams

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

What is contraception?

• Contraception, also known as

birth control, refers to methods
and devices used to prevent
pregnancy. The goal of
contraception is to prevent the
fertilization of a woman's egg by
a man's sperm, or to prevent the
implantation of a fertilized egg in
the uterus.
Birth control options: Things to consider!!
How do the different   HOW DO I CHOOSE?
Birth control options
The best method of birth control for you is one that is safe ,
work? and that you are able to use consistently and correctly. Your
preferred method of birth control may change over your
Various types of birth control work in
lifetime and is influenced by many different factors, including:
different ways. Birth control methods •Age and health history
may: •Reproductive goals, such as the number of children you
•Prevent sperm from reaching the
want and how soon you want to get pregnant
egg •Relationship factors, including marital status, number of
•Inactivate or damage sperm
sexual partners, how often you have sex and partner
•Prevent an egg from being released
preferences
each month •Religious beliefs
•Alter the lining of the uterus so that
•Differences between birth control methods, including how
a fertilized egg doesn't attach to it
effective they are at preventing pregnancy, side effects, cost
•Thicken cervical mucus so that
and whether they prevent sexually transmitted infections
sperm can't easily pass through it
 THE CHEMICAL SIDE OF CONTRACEPTIVES
It's important to note that all forms of birth control, including chemical-based methods, have potential risks and
side effects. It's important to discuss these with a healthcare provider before starting any new method of birth
control. 
1)Hormonal Birth Control: This is the use of synthetic hormones to  prevent ovulation. Without ovulation
there is no egg available to be fertilized by the sperm. The synthetic hormones thickens the cervical mucus to
prevent sperm from reaching the egg, and thinning the uterine lining to make it less receptive to a
fertilized egg. This form of birth control has a failure rate of less than 1%, it is a highly effective method of
birth control. 
The types of Hormonal Birth control are:
 Birth control pills            
 Birth control injections
  Vaginal ring
 Birth control implant
 Contraceptive patches
 Birth Control Pills
• The birth control pill, is a chemical contraceptive
method that uses hormones to prevent pregnancy. 
• The pill contains synthetic versions of the hormones
estrogen and/or progestin. These hormones work
together to prevent ovulation.

• The pill is taken daily at approximately the same

time each day for 21 days, followed by a seven-day
break during which a woman will usually have her
period. Some newer types of pills come in extended-
cycle regimens that allow women to have a period
less frequently, such as once every three months​.
 Birth Control Injection

• The birth control injection, also known as the Depo-

Provera injection, is a hormonal method of birth control
that is used to prevent pregnancy every three months
(trimester). 
• The hormone progestin is contained in the injection and
works by preventing ovulation (the release of an egg
from the ovary), However, it does not protect against
sexually transmitted infections (STIs), so if you are at
risk for STIs, you should use condoms or other barrier
methods of protection
 Vaginal Ring

• A vaginal ring is a type of hormonal birth control that is

inserted into the vagina. It is a flexible plastic ring that
releases hormones into the body to prevent pregnancy.
•  The ring is left in place for three weeks and then removed
for one week to allow for a menstrual period. The hormones
in the ring are similar to those found in birth control pills,
and they work by preventing ovulation, thickening cervical
mucus, and thinning the lining of the uterus.
• It is also convenient, as it only needs to be inserted and
removed once a month. 
• Some women may experience side effects, such as vaginal
irritation or discharge, breast tenderness, or headaches, but
these usually go away after a few months of use.
Birth Control Implant
• A birth control implant is a small, thin rod that is inserted
under the skin of the upper arm. It is a highly effective form
of hormonal birth control that can prevent pregnancy for up to
three years. 
• The implant contains a synthetic hormone called progestin,
which works by preventing ovulation.
•  It is  very convenient, as it does not require daily attention like
birth control pills or a weekly visit to the healthcare provider
like a birth control injection. 
• However, some women may experience side effects such as
irregular bleeding, headaches, breast tenderness, or mood
changes. These side effects usually go away after a few months
of use.
 Contraceptive patches: 
• Contraceptive patches are a type of hormonal birth control that
contain a combination of estrogen and progestin hormones. The
patch is a small, thin, beige-colored adhesive patch that is applied
directly to the skin, usually on the lower abdomen, buttocks, or upper
arm.
• The contraceptive patch works by releasing hormones through the
skin and into the bloodstream, which prevents ovulation. 
• The patch is typically worn for one week at a time, and then replaced
with a new patch for a total of three weeks. The fourth week is patch-
free, during which time a woman will typically have her period. The
patch must be changed once a week, on the same day each week, for
maximum effectiveness.
• One advantage of the contraceptive patch is that it is relatively easy to
use and does not require daily attention like some other forms of
hormonal birth control, such as pills. However, some women may
experience side effects such as breast tenderness, headaches, mood
changes, or irregular bleeding.
 Birth control pills

Vaginal ring Birth Control Injections

Birth control
patches

Birth control implant

2)Emergency Contraception:
Emergency contraception is used to
prevent pregnancy after unprotected
sex. 
It includes:
 Morning-after pill: 
 Copper intrauterine device (IUD):
 Morning After-Pill
• The morning-after pill,  is a form of birth control that
can be used after unprotected sex or a contraceptive
failure to reduce the risk of pregnancy. 
• There are two types of morning-after pills available:
a progestin-only pill and a combination pill
containing both progestin and estrogen.
• The morning-after pill works by preventing or
delaying ovulation, and it may also make it more
difficult for sperm to reach an egg or for a fertilized
egg to implant in the uterus.
• It is most effective when taken as soon as possible
after unprotected sex, ideally within 24 hours, but
can be taken up to 72 or 120 hours.
 Copper Intrauterine Device (IUD)
• This is a  small, T-shaped device that is
inserted into the uterus up to 5 days after
unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy.  
• It is made of plastic and wrapped in copper
wire, which creates an inflammatory
response that is toxic to sperm, preventing
fertilization.
  Some types of IUDs
release hormones to prevent ovulation,
while others use copper to prevent
fertilization.
Copper IUD Morning- After pills
 3)Spermicides

• Spermicides are chemical substances that are used to kill or

immobilize sperm in order to prevent pregnancy. They
come in the form of creams, gels, foams, suppositories,
and films that are inserted into the vagina prior to
intercourse.
•  They are most effective when used in combination with
other barrier methods of contraception, such as condoms or
diaphragms. However, they are less effective when used
alone, with a failure rate of approximately 28% per year.
• Spermicides are available over-the-counter at most
drugstores and are relatively inexpensive compared to
other forms of birth control. They also do not contain any
hormones, so they do not affect the menstrual cycle or
cause hormonal side effects.
•  However, some women may experience irritation or
allergic reactions to the chemicals in spermicides.
• Spermicide barriers are 70%
effective in preventing
pregnancy. 
• It's said to be one of the least
effective method of preventing
pregnancy when used alone.
•  It is highly recommended that it
is combined with another form
of birth control like condom or
diaphram  to prevent pregnancy.