|
Method:
|
Pro: |
Contra: |
|
Ladycomp
Pearl Index 0.6
|
Natural, well-tolerated,
easy to use, no further costs after initial purchase. Very
reliable. If desired, can later be equipped with the Babycomp
special planning programme. |
There are a
few days a month when abstinence or the use of a condom
is necessary. |
|
Babycomp
Pearl Index 0.6
|
Same as Ladycomp
but equipped with a special programme for the planning of
a pregnancy. |
|
|
Contraceptive pill
Pearl Index 0.1 - 0.9
|
Very reliable. |
Hormonal influence.
Various side-effects. Higher health risk for smokers. |
|
Mini-Pill
Pearl Index 0.4 - 2.5
|
Does not prevent
ovulation. Quite reliable. |
Requires discipline.
Even differences of three hours in the time of taking the
pill reduce reliability. Hormonal influence. |
|
IUD
Pearl Index 1-3
|
Can be used
for one to three years depending on the model chosen. Quite
reliable. |
Risk of infection
and pregnancy in the tube. Painful insertion, regular gynaecological
examinations necessary. Not suitable for women who plan
to become pregnant later. |
|
Condom
Pearl Index 2-5
|
No side-effects.
Offers protection from AIDS. Can be used to complement Ladycomp/Babycomp
during fertile days. |
Can be seen
85 an interruption to sex play and an intrusion. |
|
Diaphragm
Pearl Index 2-5
|
No side-effects.
Possible complement for Ladycomp/Babycomp. |
Must be fitted
to the individual woman by a doctor Insertion technique
must be learned, not very adaptable. |
|
Chemical substance
Pearl Index 9-25
|
Generally no
side-effects. |
Must be inserted into the vagina
immediately before sexual intercourse.
Occasional itching and inflammation.
Not very reliable.
|
|
Three-monthly injections
Pearl Index below 1
|
Very reliable. |
High hormone
level causes massive interference in the cycle. Often results
in irregular menstruation. Not suitable for women who want
to have children later. |
|
Traditional temperature method
Pearl Index 2-4
|
No side-effects,
natural. |
Involves adhering
to many rules. Larger margin of error when various methods
are used. Prospective interpretation very difficult. |
| Mucus method |
This
method is time-consuming and requires training. The mucus
method is not very reliable or very adaptable as there are
4 different types of mucus and in the case of many women
the mucus only appears when it is too late for contraception,
i.e. , after ovulation, and continues for an unnecessarily
long time. It can be used as an aid to conception. |
| Sterilisation |
The
list is not complete without mentioning the sterilisation
of men and women. In both cases this requires a surgical
intervention which normally cannot be reversed. |
| Pearl Index |
The
reliability of a method of contraception is expressed in
the medical profession by the Pearl Index. The Pearl Index
indicates how many unwanted pregnancies occur in 100 user
years when using a certain method or substance. |
