It
is said that annually around the world, one out of every three pregnancies is
unintended and therefore unplanned.
While
no contraceptive is 100% foolproof, human error accounts for the majority of
these ‘oops' pregnancies and it is possible with a little foresight to protect
oneself against them. Usually the mishap is obvious; the condom slipped, you
forgot to use it or you got carried away and didn't bother. But just as often
the unfortunate woman is left wondering "How did this happen?". The answer is that
a large number of women can make a birth-control method more effective. Here are some
of the lesser known birth control slip-ups, and how to sidestep them.
The Pill is one of the more common
contraceptives. Its loss of competence is most often either down to a blunder or bad timing. About a third
of women who use oral contraceptives (OCs) do not take their pill at the
same time daily. While seemingly innocuous, a delay of even a few hours can
lead to sharp drops in hormone levels, which may allow ovulation to occur. This
is especially true if you take one of the newer lower-dosage OCs. They have
just enough contraceptive to carry you through to the next day.
The easy solution to this is to create a reminder. Don't
let more than 24 hours pass between doses. It may help to link taking the pill
with another task-brushing your teeth before bed for example.
Other possible occasions for the unwanted pregnancy are
sick days. Antibiotics, anticonvulsants, tranquilizers and antifungals lessen
a pill's efficacy because they cause the liver to break down the hormones in
the pill faster than is normal. In addition should you vomit within an hour
or have diarrhea within four hours of swallowing your pill, there is a good
chance again that the hormones in the pill will not have been completely
absorbed.
The solution here is to call in reinforcements. If you
are on any of these drugs, use back-up contraception (like condoms) until
menses. Illnesses have the same effect and the savvy will take the same
precautions.
The condom is by far the most popular contraceptive.
Blunders surrounding condom use are not too infrequently caused by too long
delays before they are put on. Don't forget that the first rule of condom use
is to put it on before the penis gets anywhere near the vagina. Pre-ejaculate
(tiny droplets of liquid produced as the man gets aroused) does contain sperm.
Lend a hand. If interrupting to slip on a condom spoils the mood, it might be
less disruptive if you put it on him as part of fore-play. Using massage oils
in the wrong places is also a common cause of condom failure. As erotic as a
sensuous massage may be, good sense dictates abstinence from use of oil on
either partner's genital areas if condoms are to be used as this can break down
latex. Instead, choose the right lubricant. To relieve vaginal dryness, stick
with water soluble lubricants, like K-Y jelly, or use spermicidal jelly, which
will kill any sperm that may leak from the condom.
The main blunder which users of diaphragms fall to, is
forgetting to use spermicidal gels in addition to the diaphragm. Lots of women
think it is the diaphragm that protects them - they are wrong. The device does
not create a tight seal; one needs a spermicide to fill in the gaps. Don't
skimp. Liberally spread spermicide around the rim of the diaphragm, and add a
dollop to the center. Insert an extra dose if you make love a second time.
Users of diaphragms are also sometimes unable to choose the
appropriate diaphragm sizes. There are plenty of reasons, however, such as weight gain and
loss, or pregnancy (even if you don't carry the baby to term or have a
c-section), that can change the shape of the vaginal canal and the pelvic tissue,
affecting the fit of the diaphragm. It is important for the function of the
contraception that it fits right. Any weight change of 10% or more calls for a
new snugger diaphragm fit.
Have a healthy day woman.
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I note with concern that you have not underlined the role of a drunken, recalcitrant husbands in accidental/unwanted pregnancies.