This document discusses various methods of contraception for high school students. It describes contraception as blocking conception through devices, substances, or methods in order to prevent unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. The types of contraception discussed are barrier methods, hormonal methods, natural methods, and surgical methods. Barrier methods like condoms physically block sperm from reaching eggs, while hormonal methods alter biochemistry to prevent ovulation. Natural methods involve abstaining from sex during ovulation, and surgical methods provide permanent sterilization. The document provides details on effectiveness and pros and cons of common contraceptive options.

1. Contraception
For High School Students
Erin McIntyre
Human Sexuality and Sex Education

2. Contraception…
• blocks conception (the fusion of an ovum
and sperm that creates a fertilized egg)
through the use of a device, substance or
method
• helps prevent unwanted pregnancies (~86
million unwanted pregnancies every year)
• helps protect you from sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs)

3. The types of contraception are…
• Barrier methods: physically blocks the sperm
from reaching the egg
• Hormonal methods: alter the biochemistry of
the woman’s body preventing ovulation and
makes it difficult for the sperm to reach the egg
• Natural methods: based on whether the sperm
and egg are present, or no sex during ovulation
• Surgical methods: female and male sterilization
which permanently prevents the union of sperm
and eggs

4. Some Barrier methods include…
• Male Condoms: prevent sperm from entering the
vagina
– Pros: easy to purchase, available without prescription
– Cons: diminish sensation and infere with spontaneity
– Effectiveness: pregnancies occur for 18/100 users
• With perfect use for the first year, there is only a 2% failure rate
• Female Condoms: prevent sperm from entering
the vagina
– Pros: gives the woman control, protects well from genital
warts or herpes, almost as effective as the male condom
– Cons: requires practice for proper positioning, can be
uncomfortable if positioned incorrectly, must be careful
with insertion of penis
– Effectiveness: First year failure rate is 21%

5. Some Hormonal methods
include…
• Injectable contraceptives: hormones injected into arm or
buttocks, given every 12 weeks
– Pros: highly effective, gives women privacy
– Cons: does not protect against STDs, menstrual irregularities, weight
gain, temporary infertility, reduction in bone density
– Effectiveness: perfect use failure rate is 0.2%, can increase to 6%
with typical use
• Hormonal IUD: Intrauterine device, is a small plastic object
placed in the uterus.
– Pros: highly reliable, require no attention except for a periodical
check of the string position, reduction in endometrial cancer rates,
can decrease blood flow during menstruation
– Cons: does not protect against STDs, can cause heavy menstrual
flow, menstrual flow, menstrual cramping, spontaneous expulsion of
the IUD for 4-6% of woman the first year, can cause pelvic
inflammatory disease
– Effectiveness: first year failure rate is 0.8%

6. Some Natural methods include…
• Abstinence: retaining from sex
– Effectiveness: 0% failure rate
• Fertility Awareness-Based methods:
women abstain from sex during the fertile
period of their menstrual cycle
– Effectiveness: 25% failure rate
• Withdrawal: male removes his penis
before ejaculation
– Effectiveness: 22% failure rate

7. Some Surgical methods include…
• Sterilization: permanent and highly effective
– Male: vasectomy (severing the ducts that transport
sperm from the testes to the seminal vesicle
• Performed by a physician, takes about 30 minutes
• Effectiveness: 0.15% failure rate
– Women: severing or blocking the oviducts thereby
preventing eggs from reaching the uterus and sperm
from entering the fallopian tubes
• Performed by physician, takes about 30 minutes
• Rate of minor complications: 6-11%
• Effectiveness: 0.5% failure rate

8. Emergency Contraception
• “Morning-after pill”
• Postcoital method used after unprotected sexual
intercourse
• Should only be used in case of emergency
• Inhibits ovulation by altering transport of the
sperm and egg – does NOT affect a fertilized
egg already implanted in the uterus
• Most effective within the first 12 hours but can
be taken up to 120 hours later
• Reduce pregnancy by 89%
• Can be bought at a pharmacy or doctor’s office

9. Reference
Insel, P. M., & Roth, W. T. (2013).
Contraception. Core concepts in health
(11th ed., pp. 143-173). New York, NY:
McGraw Hill.

10. Reference
Insel, P. M., & Roth, W. T. (2013).
Contraception. Core concepts in health
(11th ed., pp. 143-173). New York, NY:
McGraw Hill.