Contraception and Sterilization

Rhythm method

Also known as the calender method, this method identifies the fertile time during your menstrual cycle, then you decide to either avoid intercourse at this time or use a condom or diaphragm.
If you have a regular twenty eight-day cycle the fertile days are Day 10 to Day 16, counting the first day of your period as Day 1.
With irregular cycles the fertile days are calculated by subtracting eighteen days from the shortest cycle to establish the earliest fertile day and subtracting twelve days from the longest cycle to establish the latest fertile day eg. if you have 26 –33 day cycles your fertile days are Day 8 to Day 21.

Ovulation method

During the fertile time of the menstrual cycle the mucus secreted by the cervix changes in texture with the increase in oestrogen hormone. Some women, but by no means all women, notice this change either by feeling inside the vagina or noticing wetness on their underpants. This change from dryness to wetness indicates the start of the fertile days.

Then twenty-four hours before ovulation, the wetness changes to dry again and the fertile days end three days after the dryness occurs.

If you can detect these mucus changes and hence identify the fertile time of the cycle, you then decide to either abstain during this time or use alternative methods of contraception.

Temperature method

By taking your temperature every morning on waking, and plotting the temperature on a graph you can detect a half-degree rise in your temperature at the time of ovulation. This method indicates the end of the fertile period, which is three days after the temperature rise.

Withdrawal/ Coitus Interruptus

By withdrawing his penis from his partner’s vagina prior to ejaculation, a man can avoid depositing semen in the vagina. This method requires much self-control and is less reliable because sperm can be present in the pre ejaculatory fluid.

Condoms

Condoms work by collecting semen and providing a barrier to sperm being deposited in the vagina. They are readily available in all shapes, sizes and colours from chemists and convenience stores.
Importantly, condoms also protect against sexually transmissible diseases.

Diaphragms

Diaphragms also act as a barrier to sperm reaching the woman’s egg. The diaphragm is placed in the vagina prior to intercourse and can be removed six hours after sex. There are various types and sizes of diaphragms. The doctors at Gynaecare can fit you with a diaphragm and teach you how to use it.

The Pill

There are many types of the oral contraceptive pill and it may take some trial and error to find the most suitable pill for you. At Gynaecare, we specialise in finding solutions for all women including those who have problems with side effects from the pill and those who have medical problems that limit contraceptive options.

I.U.C.D.

Intrauterine devices are placed inside the womb to prevent a fertilized egg implanting in the womb. The doctors at Gynaecare can insert Multiload Cu350 and the new Mirena I.U.D. For more information click here.

Implanon

This progesterone-releasing hormone device is inserted on the inside of your upper arm, just under the skin, and provides 100% contraception for three years. At Gynaecare we have inserted over 350 Implanon devices. For more information click here (hyperlink to implanon insertion and removal).

Nuva Ring

The pill in a small soft ring that sits in the vagina for three weeks and secretes the contraceptive hormones directly into the blood stream via the vaginal wall. The dose of hormones is half that of the oral contraceptive pill so is ideal for those women who have side effects with conventional pills. It will be particularly worth trying if you have nausea, mood changes or weight gain on the pill. Obviously the other big plus is that the dose is not affected if you have diarrhoea or vomiting.

The Nuva ring is prescribed by your doctor and one month's supply ie one ring costs approx $30.00