“My best birth control now is to leave the lights on.” Joan Rivers

Your life can change suddenly. Whether you have just met the man of your dreams, decided to settle down, had a baby, completed your family or had some disorder diagnosed, you will have to reconsider your method of contraception. An unwanted pregnancy can complicate your life enormously. If you think you are too busy to think about contraception, compare it to how busy you will be if you have to look after a baby.

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Becoming sexually active for the first time
The younger you are, the more likely it is that having sex for the first time will be an unplanned event. The rule of thumb, however, should be, that if you are responsible enough to consider having sex, you should be responsible to take precautions against STDs and pregnancy. How much trouble can it be to carry a few condoms?

These protect against both STDs and unwanted pregnancy – if used correctly.

Ending a relationship or changing partners
Whether we like it or not, a new partner does mean greater exposure to STDs. Latex condoms provide adequate protection. Women are at greater risk of being infected with an STD than men are. When considering settling down, other hormonal contraceptives can be considered, such as the pill. It is advisable for both you and your partner to be tested for any STDs before having any unprotected sex. The grim reality is that failure to do so could carry the death sentence in the form of an HIV infection.

Settling down with one person
If both of you are monogamous by choice and tested clear for STD’s, the focus now moves on to preventing pregnancy. The pill, the IUD, condoms, spermicidal jelly or the contraceptive injection – the choice is yours. Forget about the rhythm method – there is a joke that goes: “What do you call people who use the rhythm method? Parents.”

After pregnancy
Unless you want to have another baby very soon, it is advisable to pay particular attention to contraception after you have given birth. Most women prefer to have a bit of a break between babies – it is hell trying to cope with four-hourly feeds and morning sickness at the same time. It might be a good idea to always use condoms until your hormones have settled down.

When you've had all the children you want
You could consider sterilisation and your husband a vasectomy. The only drawback to these are that they are rather permanent decisions. Reversal surgery cannot guarantee any regained fertility. Condoms, the pill or the injection are also possibilities.

A change in health status
High blood pressure or diabetes, for instance, might force you to change your contraceptive method if you are on the pill. The high oestrogen levels contained in the contraceptive pill might exarcebate your condition. Non-hormonal methods are recommended, such as condoms or an IUD. The progestin-only mini-pill could also be a solution.

(Susan Erasmus, Health24)

Read more:
Contraception – now and then
Any questions? Ask our sexologist

 

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