Artificial Contraceptive Devices

Artificial contraceptive device means the use of artificial tools, or devices, to stop the fusing (meeting) of the ovum and sperm. Both male and female can get the artificial devices in the market. But these devices work only for a certain period. which are described below:

a) Temporary artificial contraceptive device for males

Condom

It is single usable artificial contraceptive device. It is made of a transparent type of rubber in cylinder shape. This device is worn on the erected penis of the male during sexual intercourse. It prevents the sperm from entering the cervix and prevents to fuse with ovum. It also prevents the spread of STDs . It is a male contraceptive device which is marketed as 'Dhal' , 'Panther', 'jodi', No. 1' etc in the market of Nepal.

Advantages

• Easy to use and inexpensive
• About 95% effective
• Prevents one from STDs 
• Easily available and personally used

Disadvantages

• It is a use-and -throw (used only once) device.
• Some people have allergy
• sometimes chances of leakage or tear.
• Difficult to dispose 

b) Temporary artificial contraceptive devices for females

i. Pills

Pills are females oral tablets of artificial contraceptive device for the prevention of conception. It contains 28 tablets in a pack. Among them, 21 tablets are white and 7 are in gray color. It is a hormonal method. Twenty one tablets are contraceptive hormonal tablets and seven are iron tablets. If taken regularly once a day , it prevents conception. It is marketed as 'Nilocon' , 'Gulab' and other various trade names in the market of Nepal. 

Advantages

• Easy to use and inexpensive
• About 99% effective
• Helps to regulate the menstruation
• No disturbance in sexual satisfaction

Disadvantages

• Does not work if taken irregularly .
• Some women get dizzy and a headache.
• Should consult the doctor before using.
• Not suitable for breastfeeding women
• Not suitable for women having heart, liver, kidney and cancer diseases.
• Does not prevent from STDs.

ii. IUD

IUD is also known as IUCD (Intrauterine artificial contraceptive device ). It is made up of plastic wrapped by copper. It is kept inside the uterus by trained medical personnel with the help of a special instrument. It is one of the mechanical methods of contraception.  IUCDs are available in the forms of 'Loop' , 'Spiral' and 'Copper-T' in the markets of Nepal . An IUD does not let the sperm enter the uterus. It causes aseptic inflammation of the endometrium (lining of the uterus) and disturb the intra-uterine environment for conception. An IUD works for 10 years. If a baby or conception is needed, it can be taken out at any time with    medical assistance.

Advantages

• About 99% effective
• No disturbance in sexual satisfaction
• It works for 10 years 
• It can be removed when baby is needed.

Disadvantages

1. Some women may have irregular menstruation
2. Does not prevent STDs
3. It may cause lower abdominal pain in the beginning.
4. It can come out sometimes.
5. Needs trained medical personnel or doctor to use it

iii. Foam tablet

It is one of the chemical and artificial methods of contraception. Foam tablets are used by females inside their vagina 5 to 10 minutes before sexual intercourse with the help of fingers. The tablet meets melted inside the vagina and converts into a foamy viscous fluid due to the warmth and moisture at the bottom of vagina. It destroys the sperms and makes fertilization impossible. It is marked as 'Kamal Tablet' in Nepal.

Advantages

• Easy and inexpensive
• An effective device (about 74%)
• No remarkable side effect
• Useful for those who have vaginal dryness 

Disadvantages

• Inserting the tablet may be troublesome
• Foamy fluid may ooze out from the vagina after intercourse
• Should wait 10 to 15minutes after inserting. This may not always practical.

iv. Norplant 

It is one of the hormonal methods of contraception. It is a set of 6 small capsules about the size of a small match stick. It is inserted below the layer of the upper-arm skin within 7 days of menstruation. Its function is to suppress the ovulation. 

Advantages 

• It works for 5 years. 
• 99.5% effective device 
• Can be removed immediately when baby is needed. 
• No disturbance in sexual satisfaction. 

Disadvantages 

• Sometimes menstruation may be irregular. 
• Needs frequent medical checkup. 
• Not suitable for the patients of liver and cancer diseases and women over 35 years of age. 

v. Depo-Provera 

This is an injection administered in every three months. It is  used as an intramuscular injection within 7 days of menstruation. This artificial contraceptive device works for three months. It suppresses the ovulation cycle in women's body. It is sold as 'sangini' in the markets of Nepal. 

Advantages 

• About 99% effective. 
• Works for three months. 
• Easy to use and inexpensive 
• Patients of blood pressure and diabetes can also use. 

Disadvantages 

• Gain body weight. 
• Irregular menstruation may occur. 
• Some women may feel abdominal pain and headache. 

vi. Femidom 

It is a female condom or an artificial contraceptive device made up of flexible and transparent rubber, which is 17 cm long and 7.8 cm wide. It is inserted inside the vagina just before sexual intercourse. It receives the sperm of the male and prevents it from entering the uterus. As a result, sperm and ovum cannot meet each other. In this way, it prevents conception. 

Advantages 

• Helps to prevent STDs. 
• No side-effect and no allergy. 
• Useful for all age groups. 
• Suitable even in dryness of vagina. 

Disadvantages

• Used only once. 
• Expensive and not easily available. 
• Should not be used with male condom.