|
Method:
|
Pro: |
Contra: |
|
Ladycomp
Pearl Index 0.6
|
Natural,
well-tolerated, easy to use, no further costs after initial purchase.
Very reliable. If desired, can later be equipped with the Babycomp
special planning programme. |
There
are a few days a month when abstinence or the use of a condom
is necessary. |
|
Babycomp
Pearl Index 0.6
|
Same
as Ladycomp but equipped with a special programme for the planning
of a pregnancy. |
|
|
Contraceptive
pill
Pearl Index 0.1 - 0.9
|
Very
reliable. |
Hormonal
influence. Various side-effects. Higher health risk for smokers. |
|
Mini-Pill
Pearl Index 0.4 - 2.5
|
Does
not prevent ovulation. Quite reliable. |
Requires
discipline. Even differences of three hours in the time of taking
the pill reduce reliability. Hormonal influence. |
|
IUD
Pearl Index 1-3
|
Can
be used for one to three years depending on the model chosen.
Quite reliable. |
Risk
of infection and pregnancy in the tube. Painful insertion, regular
gynaecological examinations necessary. Not suitable for women
who plan to become pregnant later. |
|
Condom
Pearl Index 2-5
|
No
side-effects. Offers protection from AIDS. Can be used to complement
Ladycomp/Babycomp during fertile days. |
Can
be seen 85 an interruption to sex play and an intrusion. |
|
Diaphragm
Pearl Index 2-5
|
No
side-effects. Possible complement for Ladycomp/Babycomp. |
Must
be fitted to the individual woman by a doctor Insertion technique
must be learned, not very adaptable. |
|
Chemical
substance
Pearl Index 9-25
|
Generally
no side-effects. |
Must be inserted
into the vagina immediately before sexual intercourse.
Occasional itching and inflammation.
Not very reliable.
|
|
Three-monthly
injections
Pearl Index below 1
|
Very
reliable. |
High
hormone level causes massive interference in the cycle. Often
results in irregular menstruation. Not suitable for women who
want to have children later. |
|
Traditional
temperature method
Pearl Index 2-4
|
No
side-effects, natural. |
Involves
adhering to many rules. Larger margin of error when various methods
are used. Prospective interpretation very difficult. |
| Mucus
method |
This
method is time-consuming and requires training. The mucus method
is not very reliable or very adaptable as there are 4 different
types of mucus and in the case of many women the mucus only appears
when it is too late for contraception, i.e. , after ovulation,
and continues for an unnecessarily long time. It can be used as
an aid to conception. |
| Sterilisation |
The
list is not complete without mentioning the sterilisation of men
and women. In both cases this requires a surgical intervention
which normally cannot be reversed. |
| Pearl
Index |
The
reliability of a method of contraception is expressed in the medical
profession by the Pearl Index. The Pearl Index indicates how many
unwanted pregnancies occur in 100 user years when using a certain
method or substance. |