Human Reproductive Health and Sexuality Thesis

Ideally, the diaphragm is used with contraceptive agents to increase effectiveness. The male condom covers the entire penis to prevent any sperm from entering the female after ejaculation. The female condom works on the same principle, only instead of fitting around the penis, it is designed to line the inside of the vagina where it is intended to perform the same function (Taylor, Lillis, & LeMone, 2005).

Chemical contraception includes oral birth control pills, most of which contain various combinations of estrogen-based hormones designed to inhibit ovulation. Other forms of chemical contraception include skin patches and subcutaneous implants that perform the same essential function as oral contraception except directly through the circulatory system. Similarly, injectable contraceptives such as Depo-Provera eliminate the need for oral pills as well as for estrogen because Depo-Provera uses progestin instead of estrogen, which is safer for many women and associated with fewer side effects. Generally, chemical contraception methods work by inhibiting ovulation as well as by creating a more hostile vaginal environment through chemical changes in the composition of vaginal secretions (Taylor, Lillis, & LeMone, 2005).Generally, barrier methods are approximately 90% effective, but susceptible to error in their use that can severely reduce their effectiveness. The intrauterine device is less error-prone because it is inserted by a physician and remains in place in the uterine wall where it prevents placental attachment upon fertilization by irritating the uterine lining resulting in sloughing off of any fertilized zygote. The so-called "morning-after" pill (RU-486) works the same way, preventing placental attachment through chemical means. The main difference between RU-486 and emergency contraception is that the latter disrupts a placental attachment after it has formed on the uterine wall whereas the former prevents the attachment altogether (Taylor, Lillis, & LeMone, 2005).

References:

Taylor, C., Lillis, C., LeMone, P. (2005). Fundamentals of Nursing: The Art and Science

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