Pregnancy and Prevention

You don't want to be a teen mom, do you?

Here are some pregnancy prevention methods for you to minimize your chances of becoming impregnanted.

Birth Control Sponge

(Today Sponge)

This is a popular new alternative that many couples prefer using instead of condoms. the Birth control sponge is also known as a “Today Sponge” and it is a small round sponge made of polyurethane foam with a nylon loops that hangs from one side of the sponge to the opposite side. The sponge has a diameter of approx 2 inches and is extremely flexible and absorbent.

The sponge should be inserted before sexual intercourse. You would use this sponge by first wetting it with at least 2 tbsp of water. Then, give the wet sponge a small squeeze-activating the spermicide. After, fold the sponge in half inserting it up your vaginal (up to the cervix), much like how you insert a tampon. The sponge blocks the cervix, preventing the sperm from entering the uterus. Also, the sponge continuously releases a spermicide that keeps the sperm from moving. The sponge can be worn for 24 hours.

To take the sponge out, you must wait at least 6 hours after sexual intercourse. wash your hands and reach for the loop attached to the sponge. Slowly pull the loop, and the sponge should come out after it. Dispose of the sponge by placing it in the trash, do not flush it!

The efficacy rate of the Today Sponge is 89% to 91%. Over 1,850 women used the Today Sponge over a 1 year period Over 230,000 acts of intercourse produced 179 pregnancies -meaning that there was one Pregnancy for Every 1287 Acts of Intercourse .

It costs about $12 CDN dollars for one sponge and can be found at drug stores such as Shoppers

Drug Mart, as well as some pharmacy sections of larger stores such as Walmart and Target.

Some advantages include :

-low risk of pregnancy

-comfortable

-hygenic

-condom-free

-hormone-free

-no prescription

-can be worn for 24 hours

Some disadvantages include :

-may cause vaginal irritation

-difficult for some women to insert and/or remove the sponge

-expensive ($12 for one use)

-does not prevent STI

-may increase risks of toxic shock syndrome if left in for 30+ hours

the Today Sponge as a product

inserting the contraceptive sponge

a detailed diagram of the sponge

NuvaRing

Another effective way to prevent pregnancy is by using the NuvaRing. The NuvaRing is a small, flexible vaginal ring that is about 2 inches in diameter. You would insert the ring into the vagina (like how you would insert a tampon, but placing the folded ring directly up your vagina), and leave the ring inside for three weeks. After three weeks, you would then remove the ring by placing your ring finger into your vagina and hooking it through the ring, and pulling the NuvaRing out. Dispose of the ring, and insert a new ring 1 week after you have removed the last ring.

How this ring works is that it continuously releases small amounts of hormones (estrogen, and progestin) as it sits in your vagina. The hormones would be absorbed throgh the walls of your vagina, then into the bloodstream.

The high level of estrogen and progestin in your system will notify your brain to not release the hormones needed to release an egg into the fallopian tube. Therefore, ovulation cannot occur without an egg readily placed in the fallopian tube.

Also, the increased levels of progestin and estrogen makes the vaginal fluid thicker, preventing sperm from reaching an egg (fertilization) and changes the lining of the uterus to prevent the attachment of a fertilized egg.

The NuvaRing is 98% effective.

Some advantages include:

- can be left in for three weeks without having to do anything about the ring

-and it cannot be felt (comfortable)

-high success rate

-may lead to a lighter and shorter menstrual cycle

-lesser acne

Some disadvantages include:

-can only be purchased with a prescription

-a bit pricey (costs around $90 for one ring)

-effectiveness of the ring may be reduced if user is taking other prescription drugs

-male partner may feel the NuvaRing during sexual intercourse