To carry out family planning, contraceptive methods exist. Such a method is used with a very specific purpose which is to prevent pregnancy.

But it must be adjusted to the needs of each partner, advised, ie obtaining an accurate and detailed information on how to use, efficiency, cost, advantages, disadvantages, etc., and medical monitoring, consulting a professional.

There is no ideal contraceptive method, therefore, to increase its effectiveness, some experts recommend a combination thereof.

Contraceptive methods cover a variety of user needs, are safe and offer many health benefits and may provide protection against sexually transmitted diseases.

The most common contraceptive methods are:

Condoms: Male condoms are thin sheaths of rubber, vinyl or natural products that are placed over the erect penis. Condoms can be treated with spermicide for added protection. They stop sperm, ie removed the semen during ejaculation be retained there and not have access to the female reproductive system, also prevents microorganisms (STDs, including HIV and HIV and AIDS) from passing from one member of partner to another. The way you use the condom is placed over the erect penis before starting sex (carnal knowledge between men and women he) should leave a space at the tip for the semen is deposited there. After ejaculation, the condom should be held securely in place while withdrawing the penis from the vagina to prevent sperm from coming in contact with it. Condoms are disposable and can be used only once, one for each sex. The advantages of this method is that it is safe when used correctly. The disadvantages that can bring the use of condoms may be that these are broken while being used, but this does not happen you have to use condoms that are new and have been stored properly, use those condoms with reservoir tip or let sufficient space at the tip for the semen has nowhere to stay when ejaculation occurs, use condoms come lubricated with spermicide, this combines with a latex barrier effective action of the chemical to kill sperm. The effectiveness rate is 88% approximately. Condoms can be purchased at doctors’ offices, commercial establishments, including supermarkets, convenience stores, pharmacies, etc., are easily and requires no prescription. It is inexpensive and has no contraindications.

Condoms: The female condom is a thin plastic coating with polyurethane rings at opposite ends. These are inserted into the vagina before intercourse. Like male condoms, female condoms prevent sperm from gaining access to the female reproductive tract and prevent microorganisms (STDs, including HIV and HIV and AIDS) from passing from one partner to another.

VAGINAL DIAPHRAGM The diaphragm is a flexible dome-shaped latex cup that is inserted into the vagina before intercourse and covers the cervix. This prevents sperm from gaining access to the upper reproductive tract (uterus and fallopian tubes) and serves as a container for the spermicide destroys (the sperm). It can be used more than once. The woman inserts the diaphragm into the vagina, this must be lubricated with jelly, before intercourse. Must remain in the vagina for 6 to 8 hours after intercourse, but must be removed within 24 hours. After each use the diaphragm is washed with water, dried and stored in its case. The advantage provided by the use of this element is that once learned its proper use, requires medical control, except after pregnancy, childbirth or weight change in women. For this technique to be effective and avoid pregnancy, must be placed correctly and used every time the couple have sex. This method requires prior review by the physician to prescribe tailored to each woman. The diaphragm is available in a pharmacy with a prescription.

Withdrawal: This method consists of removing the penis from the vagina before ejaculation occurs. This prevents much sperm from entering the vagina. This technique requires man to identify the time before ejaculation and withdraw the penis before semen is. The disadvantage is that there is a high risk that the woman becomes pregnant. Using this method requires great control of oneself. Couples often find that the practice of this technique leaves them physically and emotionally unsatisfied, so it is little used as a permanent method of contraception. It is a technique to use occasionally, when no other method available.

Birth-control pills are small pills that a woman ingests daily to prevent pregnancy. Contain hormones (estrogen and progestin) that prevent the ovary from releasing an egg and also block the cervix with a thick mucus. The pills come in boxes of 21, 28 or 35 units. Women consuming a pill at the same time each day and, depending on the brand you use, can have a one-week break during which he also acts, avoiding pregnancy. It is a very safe method to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. Its use must be indicated and monitored by a health professional to assess the contraindications for each case. A family planning clinic can offer both the medical examination required before prescribing pills, like a prescription to obtain them. In many countries you can get the pill without a prescription, but is recommended for safety of the young to undergo a medical examination. Hormonal contraceptives do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. People who choose to use pills or other hormonal birth control should be protected against these diseases. For many young women, oral contraceptives are a very effective method.

Other hormonal contraceptives: There is acting hormonal contraceptives like the pill mode, but differ in their mode of administration and duration of its contraceptive effect. Both methods require a prescription and medical supervision. There are injectables that are applied by intramuscular injection whose effect lasts one to three months and others that are contraceptive implants are capsules that release hormones to be placed under the skin, usually in the arm by a health professional. Its contraceptive effect lasts approximately five years.

INTRAUTERINE DEVICE (IUD): A plastic device in various ways, often as a T with copper wire on the plastic that a health professional placed inside the uterus. The presence of the IUD probably alters the secretions of the uterus and tubes. This situation interferes with many of the steps needed to achieve fertilization. This reduces the possibility of union of sperm and preventing fertilization of the egg. Scientific studies show that through this mechanism of action of IUDs prevent pregnancy. A health professional trained IUD inserted in the uterus, a thin plastic thread that is tied to the IUD stays in the vagina to facilitate their control or withdrawal. It’s very safe. Is inserted only once and gives a continuous and effective protection. The disadvantages are that it produces is not an appropriate method for youths who have not had a child. It is available from family planning clinics, pharmacies and in private practice health professionals. It is recommended that this method uses only the women who have already had a birth and having a single sexual partner. It prevents the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases.

BILLINGS METHOD OF CERVICAL MUCUS OR: observed changes in vaginal secretions (discharge), during ovulation, these are more abundant and transparent. Recognizing the woman’s fertile period through the changes in cervical mucus during the menstrual cycle, observing daily the quantity and consistency. She has acknowledged in his fingers filancia cervical mucus. (Filancia is the ability to spread mucus to form threads as in the figure). Recognizing the changes in cervical mucus and they are divided into three periods. First period: From the period and up to five days before ovulation, the vagina is dry and poor cervical mucus is thick and filante not to touch. Second period: During ovulation, the vagina is moist and the mucus is clear and abundant filante touch, which allows and facilitates the mobility and promotion of spermatozoa into the tubes. These will remain until about two days after ovulation. If you want to avoid pregnancy, you should refrain from having engaged in sexual intercourse during ovulation. Third period: The vagina to be dry again and again is poor cervical mucus is thick and not filante. This period begins two days after ovulation and lasts until the next menstruation. The presence of a vaginal infection difficult to use the method. This method does not produce side effects. However, their use requires a certain level of knowledge and training by qualified personnel.

SPERMICIDES: These are chemicals (usually nonoxynol-9) that inactivate or kill sperm. Available in aerosols (foams), creams, vaginal tablets, vaginal suppositories or dissolvable films. Spermicides cause the rupture of the membranes of sperm, which decreases movement (motility and mobility) and their ability to fertilize an egg. Should be introduced into the vagina before intercourse. The advantage provided by this method is that it is simple and easy to learn. The disadvantage is that there is a high risk of pregnancy. Some men and women have allergic reactions to spermicides, but the problem is sometimes resolved by changing the brand of spermicide. These spermicides are available in pharmacies and health clinics.

METHOD OF LACTATION: The method of lactational amenorrhea (LAM) is the use of breastfeeding as a contraceptive. This is based on the physiologic effect of suckling to suppress ovulation. To use breastfeeding as a contraceptive method effective, it requires the mother to feed your baby only breast milk or, at least, breastfeed for almost all feedings. In addition, the / the baby must be less than six months old and the mother is amenorrheic.

Periodic abstinence method (NATURAL): It consists of determining the fertile period of women through the registration of at least six consecutive menstrual cycles in a calendar. Write down every month the day you start your period. Then calculates the length of each cycle. For practical purposes, the probable date of ovulation is obtained by subtracting 18 days the shortest cycle and 11 days longer cycle. The result informs the days of possible fertility. If the difference between shorter cycles and longer is ten days or more, not the conditions for using this method.

BASAL TEMPERATURE METHOD: Immediately after ovulation causes an increase in body temperature. Therefore, if you keep a daily record of temperature can calculate the day of ovulation. As in the calendar method is required to record at least six cycles. The first day of the cycle (first day of menstruation) is to take your temperature before rising and fasting. Place the thermometer in the mouth for three minutes and record the temperature every day until the first day of next menstruation. It is convenient to record situations that may have altered the temperature (infections, colds, ingestion of drugs such as aspirin, dipyrone, etc). Usually about half of the cycle, the temperature rises around 0.5 degree and remains elevated until the proximity of the start of the next cycle. When an increase in temperature means that ovulation occurred the day before. An egg can live 24 to 48 hours in the fallopian tube and the sperm can last up to three days if the woman had intercourse during those days of exposure to pregnancy.

The advantage that natural methods of abstinence is not altering the functioning of the body and produce no side effects. The disadvantages are that these methods require regular menstrual cycles and training to calculate the fertile period. All methods of periodic abstinence prevent unwanted pregnancy. Achieving it is absolutely conditional upon recognition of a woman’s fertile period and the correct use of each method.

The Catholic Church accepts only use natural contraceptive methods, except for withdrawal. Rejects artificial methods and discourages the use of condoms.

HPV (human papillomavirus)
It is a sexually transmitted disease very common. Generally, HPV or suffering it had endured during pregnancy does not affect the baby. In extreme cases, where women really have any major injury, there is risk of infection for the baby. In that case, the babies have laryngeal papillomas, of seriousness and difficulty regulating their treatment. Therefore, the obstetrician will recommend a cesarean.

Syphilis
This disease is transmitted by a bacterium and is spread through vaginal, anal or oral sex with an infected person. The pregnant woman may pass the disease to the fetus through the placenta. During the first prenatal visit, your obstetrician will perform the study to rule out syphilis. If positive, the mother should treat with an antibiotic penicillin is safe in pregnancy.

Genital herpes
It is a disease caused by a virus (herpes-virus) found in latent form in the body and when defenses or decrease during pregnancy, the virus that causes the injury is in the form of small painful blisters. There is no way to eradicate the virus from the body, and the treatment is to reduce the frequency and severity of episodes. Symptoms include blisters on the genitals. At the time of birth, if there are active lesions, it should end the pregnancy via cesarean section because the baby can become infected if it passes through the birth canal.

AIDS
AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is a disease caused by a virus called HIV that causes destruction of the immune system. This disease is transmitted through sex with infected persons, accidents with needles, blood transfusions or from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding.
Most obstetricians are asking a pregnant at the first visit the HIV blood test.
The transmission of the virus from mother to infant is preventable by taking certain precautions and medication during pregnancy and birth. The latter may be by natural birth or caesarean, as determined by the obstetrician on the basis of blood tests of mother and the baby’s condition. An HIV positive woman should not breastfeed a baby is not infected because the virus can be transmitted through milk.

Chlamydia
It is a sexually transmitted disease by a bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis. Can be passed from mother to child during birth. Chlamydia infection in newborns can cause neonatal conjunctivitis (eye infection) and pneumonia. Without immediate medical treatment, the baby’s eyes can be severely and permanently damaged.

Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a disease caused by a virus that infects the liver. It is spread through sex with infected persons, accidents with needles, blood transfusions or from mother to child during pregnancy.
In the first prenatal visit, your obstetrician will indicate a test to detect hepatitis B. If the test is positive, it can spread the virus to the newborn during delivery. Therefore, the baby at birth will receive the right medicines to prevent becoming infected (hepatitis B vaccine and immunoglobulin).

• What is AIDS?

Syndrome: Joint manifestations or symptoms that characterize a disease.
Immuno: Related to the immune system or defense of our body.
Deficiency: Indicates that the defense system does not work or incorrectly.
Acquired: Not inherited but caused by a virus.

• What is the Immune System?

We live in an environment where there are germs (viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. Our body defends itself from attacks by these offenders thanks to the immune system, whose main function is to destroy them. The Defense System acts primarily through white blood cells called lymphocytes. When a germ enters our body, is recognized by lymphocytes, they give warning to destroy them. Destroying can be attacked directly by antibodies. In the presence of antibodies in the body indicates whether we are or have been infected.

• Phases of AIDS virus infection:

1 .- Asymptomatic Carrier:
A person who is infected with the virus and no symptoms of the disease and the virus is dormant or asleep. The symptoms appear years later if the person develops the disease. He is a person capable of transmitting the disease to others. In this phase there are 40% of those affected.

2 .- CRS AIDS Related Complex:
People who are in this stage begin to have some symptoms of infection, the virus is active, is beginning to destroy the cells and there is a weakened immune system. The symptoms of this stage include fever, enlarged lymph nodes, etc … Some of these people will develop the final stage or AIDS. In this phase there are 30% of those affected.

3 .- AIDS:
We say that the person has AIDS when in addition to being positive, ie having antibodies specific to the virus or be a carrier, is capable of developing opportunistic infections. The opportunistic infection is caused by a pathogen that in a healthy person is unable to produce such an infection, and occurs because the immune system is weakened. It is known by this name because the organism takes the position of weakness in our defenses, ie the opportunity to invade our body. The type of disease will depend in each case, the type of opportunistic germ that affects the body. In this phase there are 30% of those affected.

• Transmission of the disease

It has been isolated in many body fluids, but of these only three virus concentration exists with sufficient capacity to produce infection, these are: blood, semen and vaginal secretions. There are three routes of transmission of the disease, they are: blood, sexual and mother-child relationship.

Transmission by blood:
1 .- Through contaminated needles:
The contaminated syringes and needles, if the exchange can be transmitted disease.

2 .- In the pregnancy / birth:
Usually tends to occur in pregnancy, but can also occur in childbirth.

3 .- Transfusion and Blood Products:
Today no such contaguio by numerous checks and to test these products.

Sexual transmission:
AIDS is considered a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD). The infection is carried out through microscopic lesions or injuries that occur on the penetration and other sexual practices.

• Preventive Measures

- It never share syringes, after use is not use to use a new syringe each time.
- It is inappropriate for HIV-positive women become pregnant because of the possibility of infecting the child and if they do they can not give milk.
- Not sharing personal hygiene items that may produce blood (tooth brushes, razors, etc …)
- In the sexual practices and use perserved avoid unprotected sex.

Remember, AIDS is not spread by everyday relationships such as hugs, service utilization, kissing, cuddling, eating and drinking utensils with them, etc …