Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 4: Avoiding Vaginal Sex
• Method 2 of 4: Barrier methods of contraception
• Method 3 of 4: Hormonal contraceptive pills
• Method 4 of 4: Sterilization
• Tips

As you know, intercourse can lead to unwanted pregnancy, therefore, during it, you should strictly observe precautions. Thanks to the many methods of pregnancy planning and contraceptive drugs available to sexually active people, pregnancy can be prevented with care and attention. Pregnancy can be avoided by abstaining from sexual intercourse or by using contraceptive drugs, and you can also consult your doctor to find out about hormonal or surgical methods of preventing pregnancy.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Avoiding Vaginal Sex

1. 1 Learn about abstinence. Abstinence is a method many people use to avoid pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Abstinence can be practiced in many different ways and for a variety of reasons. None of the definitions of abstinence are correct, but abstinence from vaginal sex helps prevent pregnancy and STIs.
   • Parasex is a form of abstinence in which a couple avoids or refuses penetrative sex. This means practicing all other types of sex and sexual play.
   • Abstinence is also often defined as the refusal to engage in any kind of sexual intercourse with a partner.
2. 2 Do only parasex. To avoid pregnancy, you need to avoid getting sperm into the vagina. Instead of traditional sex with vaginal penetration, you can try:
   • kisses;
   • masturbation;
   • petting;
   • friction;
   • acting out sexual fantasies;
   • the use of sex toys;
   • oral sex;
   • anal sex.
3. 3 Talk to your partner about the advantages and disadvantages of abstinence. Many people know that abstinence is the cheapest and most effective way when it comes to preventing pregnancy. This method has no medical or hormonal side effects compared to other methods of preventing pregnancy.
   • The benefits of abstinence practice go far beyond preventing unwanted pregnancies. Abstinence should be practiced until you are ready to have sex or until you find a suitable partner. You can be romantically involved without being sexually active. Or abstinence can symbolize moral or religious beliefs.
   • The disadvantage of abstinence is that some people find it difficult to abstain from sex, and they often engage in sexual intercourse without studying the issue and not protecting themselves properly from pregnancy and STIs.
4. 4 Talk to your partner about your choice and find out if he respects your choice. Sometimes it can be difficult to maintain a relationship or start a relationship with someone who does not support your idea of ​​abstaining from sex. This is why it is best to speak frankly with your partner and discuss your choice, explaining your understanding of abstinence and why you chose to stick with it.
   • Talk to your partner before it all comes down to sex. It is very important and always helpful to discuss with your partner what you both expect from the relationship and what boundaries you want or don’t want to set. Determining the do's and don'ts will help your relationship become more understandable and avoid possible misunderstandings as you move on to intimate relationships.
   • You don't have to abstain at all times (unless you want to). Your attitudes and views will change over time and with experience.

Method 2 of 4: Barrier methods of contraception

1. 1 Use condoms when having intercourse. When used correctly and consistently, condoms protect against pregnancy and allow you to enjoy sex. Condoms come in a wide variety of colors, flavors, and textures. You can buy them at a pharmacy or supermarket.
   • There are female condoms and you can use them. Like regular penis condoms, female condoms collect precum and semen. However, female condoms are less effective than male condoms.
   • When used correctly, condoms are an effective method of preventing pregnancy. It is very important to be able to put on a condom correctly. Also, before use, it is necessary to check the expiration date and the integrity of the package. However, it is known that 18 out of 100 women are at risk of becoming pregnant when using a condom.
2. 2 Use a spermicide for added protection. Spermicides are sold in the form of gels, foams, or films, and they are applied to a condom. Spermicides block the entry of sperm into the uterus by using a sperm-killing chemical. You can buy such products at a pharmacy, in an online store and in some supermarkets. Some types of condoms are sold with spermicides already treated.
   • When used without a condom, vaginal spermicides are only 78% effective, but when combined with a condom, the effectiveness increases to 95% or more.
   • Spermicides are needed for added protection. After intercourse, a woman needs to lie on her back for a short time so that the spermicides remain on the cervix.
   • Spermicides can cause infections of the vagina and penis and are often irritating. Consult your doctor if you experience any discomfort or burning sensation due to the use of spermicides.
3. 3 Use a contraceptive sponge. A contraceptive sponge is a small donut-shaped sponge that contains spermicides. It is placed in the vagina at the cervix and prevents sperm from entering the uterus. When inserted correctly, the sponge is not felt at all. Sponges are not as common as condoms or spermicides, and very often they are more expensive. A similar sponge can be ordered from the online store. To use a contraceptive sponge:
   • First, soak a sponge in 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of water to activate the spermicides. Squeeze out excess water.
   • Insert the sponge into the vagina along the back wall so that it reaches the cervix. The dimple or concave side of the sponge should be facing the cervix and the loop facing away so that it can be easily removed after sex.
   • The sponge can be injected for a total of 24 hours. It should be left inside for at least 6 hours after vaginal intercourse.
   • To reach the sponge, wash your hands thoroughly, then hook on the tab and gently pull outward. After removing the sponge, make sure that it is intact and there are no parts left inside.
4. 4 Learn about the vaginal diaphragm. The diaphragm works in a similar way to a sponge, only it is made of rubber with flexible edges. Diaphragms come in a variety of sizes, and you'll need to see your doctor to choose the right one. Your doctor will measure your pelvic volume and choose a diaphragm that you can insert before sex to prevent pregnancy. The diaphragm can be removed 6 hours after sex or 24 hours later.
   • Note that diaphragms do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

Method 3 of 4: Hormonal contraceptive pills

1. 1 Talk to your doctor about which birth control you should take. Contraceptive drugs are of two types according to the principle of action: some prevent the release of the egg from the ovaries, while others make the cervical mucus thicker, because of which the sperm cannot get to the egg. There are many different brands of contraceptive drugs, so ask your doctor to find the right one for your health and sexual activity.
   • Discuss the side effects and risks of the drug you recommend. For example, birth control pills increase the risk of thrombosis in women over 35 who smoke.
   • Birth control pills must be taken at the same time every day. If you miss an appointment, you run the risk of getting pregnant, especially if you had sex on the days you missed the pill.
2. 2 Get a contraceptive injection. Contraceptive injections, or Depo-Provera, involve the administration of a synthetic hormone called progestin that protects against pregnancy. These injections should be given every 12 weeks.
   • The drug "Depo-Provera" contains the hormone progestin, which prevents the release of eggs into the uterus and makes the cervical mucus thicker, which prevents sperm from moving.
   • When choosing a contraceptive drug, always discuss with your doctor all the health risks and side effects of this drug.
3. 3 Use emergency contraception if the primary method is not effective. Emergency contraception pills keep the egg from coming out longer than usual, which ensures that the sperm will die before conception can take place. Emergency contraception is effective when taken within 3 days of unprotected sex. They cannot be used as a means of permanent contraception.
   • You can buy emergency contraception without a doctor's prescription at any pharmacy. These drugs usually consist of 1 levonorgestrel tablet. They are sold under the brands Postinor, Escapel or Model 911. Take strictly according to the instructions.
   • Some drugs (Agesta, Ginepristone) are dispensed only with a doctor's prescription.
   • Another type of emergency contraception is the copper intrauterine device (IUD). This "T" shaped device is inserted into the uterus by a doctor. This method of contraception is effective within 5 days (120 hours) of unprotected sex.

Method 4 of 4: Sterilization

1. 1 Make sure sterilization is the right choice. Think carefully if you are ever planning a pregnancy, and then plan a surgical method to prevent pregnancy. You should not resort to sterilization if there is a possibility that you will want to become a mother in the future.
   • Many people undergo sterilization in order not to risk their health or in cases where they do not want to pass on a certain disease or genetic mutation to their children or descendants.
   • Sterilization is a serious and responsible step that affects not only your body, but also those close to you. Be sure to discuss this decision with your partner, but remember that in the end, only you can decide what to do with your body.
2. 2 Try non-surgical sterilization techniques. For non-surgical sterilization, Essure implants are used to create a natural barrier against pregnancy. The implant is inserted by a gynecologist on an outpatient basis in less than 10 minutes. The device is inserted into each fallopian tube and stimulates the growth of fibrous tissues, blocking them and making it impossible for the egg to enter the uterine cavity.
   • For the first 3 months after this procedure, you will need to use your usual methods of contraception. Fibrous tissue forms in the fallopian tubes for about 90 days, and only then is the procedure considered effective.
   • This procedure is permanent and the results cannot be reversed.
3. 3 Get surgically sterilized. Surgical sterilization is commonly referred to as tubal ligation.In this operation, the fallopian tubes are ligated or cut.
   • Male sterilization is called a vasectomy. In this operation, the vas deferens is cut or ligated, through which sperm from the testicles is carried to the penis. So, the sperm is absorbed by the body, and not excreted.

Tips

• Talk to your doctor about your contraceptive method. Find out which method will work best for you. Choosing a contraceptive method is essential for physical, psychological and emotional health, so be sure to make the decision with your partner and your doctor.