CONTRACEPTION (Also called Birth Control -  prevents conception)

A contraceptive device or medication is designed to prevent a viable Sperm from reaching a viable Egg which can result in a pregnancy. No contraceptive device can prevent the transmission of an STD.

There is only one way to be 100% sure of not becoming pregnant, or of not giving or receiving an STD, and that is ABSTINANCE!!

Let's look at some of the methods of contraception that are available, and discuss their effectiveness:

Methods of Contraception:

• Abstinence - - This simply means that you abstain from having sexual contact with another person.
• Tubal Ligation - - The woman's two Fallopian Tubes are severed and tied closed so Sperm cannot reach the Egg.
• Vasectomy - - The man's two Vas Deferens are severed and tied closed so Sperm cannot leave the man's Epididymis.
• Oral Pills (both types) - - The woman swallows them and they change the body's hormones and stop Ovulation. 
• Condom with spermicide - - First used in 1564, contains Ejaculate to be tossed away before it enters the Vagina.
• Intra-Uterine Device (IUD) - - Floats in the Vagina to dislodge any fertilized Egg that attaches to the Uterine wall.
• Condom (sheath) - - Same as above but without use of a Spermicidal cream applied inside at the tip of the Penis.
• Cervical Cap with spermicide - - A vinyl cap placed over the Cervix to block Sperm from entering the Cervical Os.
• Withdrawal Method - - Simply pulling the Penis from the Vagina before Ejaculation.
• Spermicidal Foam - - Pressurized in a can, it places a blockage in the Vagina, in front of the Cervical Os.
• Sponge - - A sponge containing water-activated spermicide that blocks entry of the Sperm to the Cervical Os.
• Rhythm or Calendar Method - - Keeping track of the woman's periods and she has Coitus only when she is not fertile. This may also involve the tracking of the viscosity (thickness or 'stickiness') of the vaginal secretions each day before coitus takes place on that day.

Sterilization is a voluntary surgical procedure that will render a person unable to impregnate or become pregnant.

If done to a male it is called a Vasectomy:

• A small incision is made on each side of the upper end of the Scrotum under pain deadener similar to what a Dentist uses.
• Each Vas Deferens tube is slipped out enough so that a small portion (1/2" long) is removed from each tube. Both sides of the cut of each tube are clamped or tied back onto themselves and are cauterized to seal the ends.
• This takes about half an hour in the doctor's office, and is followed by a day's rest. In some countries... India for one... Vasectomies are offered on the lunch hour and they return to work the rest of the day.
• Much less expensive and much quicker than Tubal Ligation.
• There is no change to the man's sexual drive, his hormonal supply, his quantity of Semen he produces, or his level of sexual performance. No Sperm comes from the Penis, but you cannot see Sperm in an ejaculation so you cannot tell by looking if the man has been sterilized... only proven by checking the ejaculate with a microscope for living Sperm cells.
• This procedure prevents Sperm from leaving the Epididymis. It will die and be re-absorbed into the man's body.
• This procedure has been reversed but it should be undertaken with the idea that it is NON-REVERSIBLE.

If done to a female it is called a Tubal Ligation:

• This requires abdominal surgery, or it can be done through small incisions into the abdomen (Laparoscopic or 'Band-Aid' Surgery) or chemically to cause damage to the Fallopian Tubes to make them develop scar tissue and grow closed. To eliminate any scars that can be seen when you wear a bikini, it can be done through the Vagina, or on the Bikini Line.
• Both Fallopian Tubes are located and a small portion is removed from each one. Both ends of both tubes are tied back onto themselves and the severed ends are cauterized.
• Other methods such as plugs, clamps, chemicals and even removal of the Fallopian Tubes can be applied.
• This procedure may require up to several days in a hospital and up to several weeks of recovery, depending upon the method used.
• Often much more extensive and expensive than a Vasectomy.
• There is no change to the woman's sexual drive, except that it might be even better with the removal of the fear of pregnancy occurring.
• It is thought to alter the production of hormones and cause PTLS (Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome).
• The Ovum will not leave the Fallopian Tubes. They will die and be re-absorbed into the body.
• This procedure has been reversed, but it should be undertaken with the idea that it is NON-REVERSIBLE.