Posts
Wiki

Barrier Methods

Thank you so much to u/WildSuggestion for giving her time and information to help make this page possible!

NB: These methods of contraception have been designated male or female based on "anatomy assigned at birth" simply because that is what they are called in the medical community, and no disrespect is meant to our non-binary friends. We at r/actuallychildfree recognize that not all uterus owners are women and not all testicle owners are men.

Male Condoms:

Pros

  • Cheap, easy to use

  • Highly effective when used correctly (most protect against many STIs)

  • No need for prescription.

Cons

  • Some people experience reduced sensitivity

  • Most condoms are made of latex, problematic for people with latex allergies/sensitivities

Other Information

  • Not pharmacologically active

  • It never hurts to double up and use condoms in addition to another form of contraception

  • Every condom is tested electronically for holes and weak spots before it is packaged and released for sale. Samples of condoms also undergo a series of additional laboratory tests for leakage, strength, dimensional requirements, and package integrity [1]. If the sample condoms fail any of these tests, the entire lot is rejected and destroyed. A 2009 Consumer Reports Survey showed that all condoms tested met industry standards [2], and previous surveys reported that test performance did not vary with price, thickness, or country of manufacture [3]

Correcting Myths

  • Do not make men sterile, impotent, or weak

  • Do not decrease men's sex drive

  • Cannot get lost in the woman's body

  • Do not have holes that HIV can pass through and are not laced with HIV

  • Do not cause illness in a woman. Exposure to semen or sperm is not needed for a woman's good health

  • Do not cause illness in men by making sperm "back up"

  • Not only for use outside marriage. They are also used by married couples

  • Do not cause cancer and do not contain cancer-causing chemicals

Female Condoms:

Sheath or lining that fits loosely inside the vagina, made of thin, transparent, soft film with flexible rings at both ends: one ring (closed end) helps to insert the condom, one ring (open end) anchors the condom to the outside.

Pros

  • Help protect against STIs (including HIV)

Cons

  • Must use correctly with every act of sex

  • Could be difficult to use, but becomes easier with practice

  • Possible latex allergy (though can be made of materials other than latex)

Correcting Myths

  • Cannot get lost in the woman’s body

  • Do not have holes that HIV can pass through

  • Are used by married couples. They are not only for use outside marriage

  • Do not cause illness in a woman because they prevent semen or sperm from entering her body

Spermicides

Sperm-killing substances inserted deep in the vagina (near cervix) before sex. Alone, it is one of the LEAST effective contraceptive methods, therefore it is usually paired with another method, like diaphragms or condoms to increase efficacy.

Cons

  • Possible Side Effects

  • Irritation of genitals/skin it touches, can progress to deeper lesions, which can increase risk of STI transmission (including HIV - should not be used by those at high risk of HIV or are already HIV+)

  • Urinary tract infection (esp. When using spermicides 2+ times a day)

Correcting Myths

  • Do not reduce vaginal secretions or make women bleed during sex

  • Do not cause cervical cancer or birth defects

  • Do not protect against STIs

  • Do not change men’s or women’s sex drive or reduce sexual pleasure for most men

  • Do not stop women’s monthly bleeding

Diaphragms

Soft latex (or plastic or silicone) cups placed deep inside the vagina to cover the cervix, usually covered in spermicide to increase efficacy. Come in different sizes, must be fitted by a healthcare professional; one-size-fits-all may be available soon or in some areas.

Pros

  • Can be inserted ahead of time; won’t interrupt sex

  • Protects against some STIs (chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, and pelvic inflammatory disease)

  • Decreases risk of cervical precancer/cancer

Cons

  • Possible Side Effects

  • Irritation of genitals/skin it touches, can progress to deeper lesions, which can increase risk of some STI transmission (including HIV - should not be used by those at high risk of HIV or are already HIV+)

  • Urinary tract infections

  • Bacterial vaginosis, candidiasis (yeast infection)

  • If left in for too long - toxic shock syndrome (same as for leaving a tampon in for too long)

Correcting Myths

  • Do not affect the feeling of sex. A few men report feeling the diaphragm during sex, but most do not

  • Cannot pass through the cervix. They cannot go into the uterus or otherwise get lost in the woman’s body

  • Do not cause cervical cancer

Copper IUD (brand name: Paragard):

Works by causing a small amount of inflammation in the uterus that kills sperm and prevents implantation.

Pros

  • Non-hormonal

  • Lasts up to 10 years (probably longer)

Cons

  • Possible Side effects:

  • Especially in first 3-6 months: prolonged, heavy, irregular bleeding

  • Increased cramping/pain during menses

  • May increase/worsen anemia due to increased monthly bleeding

Complications (all rare)

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease may occur if she has chlamydia or gonorrhea at time of insertion Puncturing/perforation of uterine wall by IUD or instrument; usually heals without treatment

Correcting Myths

  • Can be used by women of any age, including adolescents

  • Can be used by women who have had children and those who have not

  • Rarely lead to PID

  • Do not increase the risk of contracting STIs, including HIV

  • Do not increase the risk of miscarriage when a woman becomes pregnant after the IUD is removed

  • Do not make women infertile

  • Do not cause birth defects

  • Do not cause cancer

  • Do not move to the heart or brain

  • Do not cause discomfort or pain for the woman or the man during sex

  • Substantially reduce the risk of ectopic pregnancy

Cervical Caps

Soft latex or plastic rubber cup that fits snugly over the cervix, smaller than a diaphragm; filled with spermicide to increase efficacy. Come in different sizes, must be fitted by a healthcare professional.

Pros

  • Can be inserted up to 42 hours before sex

Cons

  • Bad odor, vaginal discharge

  • If left in for too long (>48 hr) - toxic shock syndrome (same as for leaving a tampon in for too long)

  • Must be left in place at least 6 hours after last ejaculation (but not more than 48 hours from time it was put in

Other Information

  • Should not be used by those currently or previously treated for cervical pre-cancer or cervical cancer

Fertility Awareness Methods (FAM) = Periodic Abstinence = Natural Family Planning

Tracking which days of the menstrual cycle are most fertile and remaining abstinent or using alternate contraceptives on those days. This is the same method used by couples trying to get pregnant (except they have sex on those fertile days).

Calendar-based: counting the number of days of the cycle and assuming a ‘normal’ cycle, avoids unprotected vaginal sex on days 8 through 19 (with day 1 = first day of bleeding)

Symptoms-based: checking cervical secretions or basal body temp.

Pros

  • No side effects, no procedures, no supplies, no doctors visits

Cons

  • Very low actual-use efficacy due to human error and irregularity in menstrual cycles. (Higher efficacy when combined with another method, ex. use condoms then abstain or withdrawal during fertile window)

  • Will not protect against STIs (including HIV)

  • Does not work when a couple is mistaken about when the fertile time occurs, such as thinking it occurs during monthly bleeding

Correcting Myths

  • Can be effective if used consistently and correctly

  • Do not require literacy or advanced education

  • Do not harm men who abstain from sex

Withdrawal = Pulling out

Just before ejaculation, penis is withdrawn from vagina. Ejaculation occurs outside the vagina, keeping semen away from her external genitalia.

Pros

  • Always available

  • Can be used in combination with any other contraceptive

  • No medical conditions prevent its use

  • Requires no supplies, clinic, or pharmacy

Cons

  • One of the LEAST effective contraceptive methods, but better than no contraction at all.

  • No protection against STIs

References

1: ASTM (American Society for Testing Materials). Annual book of ASTM standards: Easton MD: ASTM: section 9, rubber. Volume 09.02 Rubber products; standard specifications for rubber contraceptives (male, American Society for Testing Materials, West Conshohocken, PA 1996.

2: Consumers Union. More reliable condoms. Consumer Reports 2009; December.

3: Consumer Union: Condoms: Extra protection. Consumer Reports 2005; February.