VMBO Year 3 · Reproduction and sexuality · Section 2.6
Safer sex
Why is contraception important?
Contraception, or birth control, reduces the chance of pregnancy when people have sex without wanting a child. Different methods work in different ways and have different levels of reliability. Condoms also reduce the risk of many sexually transmitted infections, or STIs. No contraceptive method is completely effective in every situation.
Less reliable methods
- Calendar-based avoidance: Avoiding intercourse around an estimated ovulation date is difficult because ovulation does not always occur when expected. Simply counting days is unreliable.
- Withdrawal: Removing the penis before ejaculation can fail because withdrawal may be too late and pre-ejaculate may contain sperm.
Methods without hormones
- Condom: A barrier preventing semen from entering the vagina and reducing the risk of many STIs when used correctly.
- Copper IUD: A small device placed in the uterus; copper interferes with sperm function and mainly prevents fertilisation.
- Diaphragm: A dome-shaped barrier covering the cervix, used with spermicide. Its reliability depends strongly on correct use.
- Sterilisation: An operation intended to be permanent, blocking or interrupting the sperm ducts or oviducts.
Hormonal contraception
Hormonal methods may prevent ovulation, thicken cervical mucus so sperm cannot easily pass, and thin the uterine lining. Their main effects differ between methods. Examples include the pill, contraceptive patch, vaginal ring, injection, implant and hormonal intrauterine system. A hormonal intrauterine system mainly works by thickening cervical mucus; it does not always stop ovulation.
Sexually transmitted infections
STIs can be passed on during sexual contact. Some cause few or no symptoms. Condoms reduce the risk of many STIs but cannot completely prevent infections spread by contact with uncovered skin. Testing and treatment are important when an infection is suspected.
- Chlamydia: A bacterial infection often causing no symptoms; untreated infection can affect fertility.
- Gonorrhoea: A bacterial infection which may cause discharge or painful urination, but can also be symptomless; untreated infection can affect fertility.
- Syphilis: A bacterial infection that may begin with a painless sore and later damage organs if untreated.
- HIV and AIDS: HIV damages the immune system. Without treatment it can progress to AIDS. Treatment can suppress HIV and prevent progression, although there is currently no routine cure.
- Candida: A yeast infection that can cause itching and discharge. It is usually not classed as an STI and can occur without sexual contact.
Glossary
- AIDS
- The advanced stage of untreated HIV infection, involving severe damage to the immune system. HIV treatment can prevent its development.
- Candida
- A yeast that can cause infections around the vagina or penis; these are usually not classed as STIs.
- Chlamydia
- A bacterial STI often causing no symptoms, with a risk of fertility problems if untreated.
- Condom
- A thin barrier worn over the penis; an internal condom is placed in the vagina. Condoms reduce pregnancy and many STI risks.
- Contraceptive pill
- A daily hormonal contraceptive; combined pills mainly prevent ovulation, while other pills also act through cervical mucus.
- Gonorrhoea
- A bacterial STI sometimes causing discharge or painful urination; untreated infection can damage fertility.
- Diaphragm
- A dome-shaped barrier placed over the cervix and used with spermicide.
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Infections passed on through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal or oral sex.
- Intrauterine contraception
- A device in the uterus: copper IUDs interfere with sperm and fertilisation; hormonal systems mainly thicken cervical mucus and thin the uterine lining.
- Sterilisation
- Contraception intended to be permanent, interrupting the sperm ducts or oviducts.
- Syphilis
- A bacterial STI that may begin with sores and cause serious complications if untreated.
- Contraceptives
- Methods reducing the chance of pregnancy; condoms also reduce the risk of many STIs.