Disposable contraceptives - emergency contraception. Contraceptives for women. What are female contraceptives? The most reliable contraceptives for women Non-hormonal method of contraception

Today, a huge number of hormonal drugs have been developed to prevent the development of an unplanned pregnancy. But which remedy to choose from this variety, so that it is both effective and does not have side effects, confuses each of us. Non-hormonal contraceptive pills act as an effective alternative to hormonal contraceptives.

Today, non-hormonal birth control pills are popular among women. This is because such contraceptives can be used by women in the presence of serious diseases (uterine fibroids), which are a contraindication for the use of hormonal contraceptive pills. In addition, these contraceptives can be used by women after an abortion, childbirth and during breastfeeding, as well as when it is impossible to use an intrauterine device. Thus, such non-hormonal preparations are convenient, effective, and most importantly, safe, contraceptives for many women, since they have practically no side effects.

These contraceptives do not need to be taken daily, as with hormonal oral contraception, especially if the woman is sexually irregular. They are used as a local protection against the onset of an unplanned pregnancy just before sexual intercourse. It is due to this property that these non-hormonal agents are classified as spermicides.

Mechanism of action.
Non-hormonal contraceptive pills contain active substances that contribute to the destruction and damage of the membrane of spermatozoa, which provokes their death. Such active substances are called spermicides; in the composition of these contraceptives, their role is played by nonoxynol or benzalkonium. These substances not only have a detrimental effect on spermatozoa, but at the same time form a very thin film on the walls of the vaginal mucosa that performs a protective function, and also contribute to the thickening of mucus in the cervical canal, which significantly reduces the activity of spermatozoa. Thus, there is a special barrier that prevents the penetration of spermatozoa into the uterus. That is why non-hormonal contraceptive pills are often referred to as barrier contraceptives. In addition, such non-hormonal contraceptives have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, protecting against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Types of birth control pills.

Pharmatex.
These contraceptives are considered the most common and popular means of preventing unwanted pregnancy. The active ingredient in this drug is benzalkonium chloride. This drug is produced not only in the form of vaginal tablets, but also in suppositories, vaginal balls, cream, tampons. The non-hormonal drug Pharmatex effectively acts within three hours. They have anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antimicrobial properties, thanks to which this contraceptive not only prevents pregnancy, but also protects against sexually transmitted diseases. It has a pronounced effect against chlamydia, candida, Trichomonas, gonococci, herpes virus and various fungi. These non-hormonal contraceptives do not enter the blood and milk of nursing mothers, do not affect the microflora of the vagina, do not disrupt the hormonal background and the menstrual cycle. Before use, the tablet should be soaked in water and inserted deep into the vagina ten minutes before sexual intercourse.

Gynecoteks.
This drug is similar in its action to Pharmatex. It has a spermicidal, antiseptic and antifungal effect, which means it protects a woman from the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections. One tablet of Ginacotex is intended for one sexual contact only. It is inserted deep into the vagina five minutes before direct sexual intercourse. This kind of funds are effective for four hours. This drug also does not affect the hormonal background of a woman and the microflora of her vagina, however, it has some contraindications. In particular, these include hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, inflammation of the vagina or colpitis, as well as irritation of the mucous membrane of the vagina and uterus. To enhance the effectiveness of the drug should be combined with the use of a vaginal diaphragm or IUD. It is not recommended to use soap douching after sexual intercourse, since soap can destroy the active substance contained in the drug, thereby reducing its contraceptive effect. You can carry out an external toilet of the genital organs.

Patentex Oval.
The active ingredient in this drug is nonoxynol. In addition to the fact that this remedy has a detrimental effect on spermatozoa, it has antimicrobial, antifungal and antiviral effects. Patentex Oval is inserted into the vagina ten minutes before sexual intercourse. The use of this drug does not cause allergic reactions. These contraceptive pills are used one at a time for sexual intercourse.

Concepttrol.
As part of this tool, the function of the active substance is performed by nonoxynol. This drug also has a detrimental effect on spermatozoa and protects against infections and diseases transmitted by contact. Conceptol is produced in packs of ten. It should also be inserted deep into the vagina just before intercourse, ten minutes before. In the first six hours after the introduction of this drug, you can not toilet the vagina.

Traceptin.
Another effective contraceptive drug that prevents unplanned pregnancy, available in the form of vaginal tablets, is Traceptin. It contains the active substance benzalkonium chloride, which causes the spermicidal and disinfecting effect of this drug. Ten minutes before the start of sexual intercourse, one tablet of Traceptin should be inserted into the vagina. This non-hormonal contraceptive may have a side effect, manifested in the form of a feeling of itching and burning in the vagina. This drug should not be used in the presence of colpitis and

Part of the life of every woman is the moment when she thinks about how to protect herself from an unplanned pregnancy. Today there is a great popularity of condoms and contraceptive pills. Non-hormonal contraceptive pills are much more convenient to use, they do not have such a large list of harmful effects. What are they and what to choose?

What birth control pills are non-hormonal

Non-hormonal contraceptives for women differ from alternative ones in that substances called spermicides acquire the quality of active ones. This composition of medicines avoids adverse changes in the body and health. The principle of action of tablets that do not contain hormones is based on the destruction of spermatozoa, creating an obstacle from mucus on the cervix.

New generation non-hormonal contraceptive pills have a number of advantages:

• they are allowed to be taken during lactation, pregnancy;
• admission is carried out as needed, and not according to a specific schedule;
• do not irritate the lining of the uterus, do not harm;
• it is allowed to use for diseases (for example, uterine fibroids);
• the harm of such pills is limited to allergies;
• able to fight infections in the genitals.

Cons of such drugs:

• use a few minutes before sex;
• it is allowed to take a shower and use soap only after some time has passed;
• not suitable for daily use;
• allergic reactions may occur.

After the act

Sometimes situations arise when emergency contraception is needed. Protection is therefore called emergency because its use is expected in emergency cases. Pills against pregnancy after unprotected intercourse are such. Unfortunately, non-hormonal drugs for oral administration are not available. When you use contraceptives after intercourse, you deal your body the hardest blow. Use emergency contraceptive pills as little as possible - be responsible for your health.

Contraceptive vaginal pills

There are a large number of varieties of contraceptives for women and girls. Medications for vaginal administration - one of the types. They do not contain hormones, which means they do not carry the problems that may arise due to the use of hormonal drugs. Such contraceptives are the safest birth control pills. On the shelves of modern pharmacies there are a large number of such pills. Determining which ones are right for you is best left to your doctor.

How to use

The kit contains instructions for use, which details the mechanisms for using the medicine, but there are general rules, the method of using the funds. Vaginal contraceptives must be taken 10-15 minutes before sexual intercourse. If 2 hours after using the drug, sex did not occur, then the procedure will need to be repeated. For the convenience of introducing the pill, the package may contain a special applicator, with its help the agent will be injected deeply.

The instructions for some medicines prescribe not to take a shower, not to use intimate hygiene products for some time before and after sex. Single drugs can cause irritation and burning in the intimate area. If symptoms occur, the drug should be discontinued. Before using medical contraceptives, you should consult your doctor.

Name of birth control pills

New generation non-hormonal contraceptive pills:

• Pharmatex

The activity of the substance lasts from 3 to 4 hours, depending on the form of the drug, after 10 minutes. after the introduction, it becomes possible to have sexual intercourse.

• "Gynekoteks"

The introduction of the pill should be carried out along the anterior wall of the vagina for 5 minutes. before sex. Activity remains for a long time - about 4 hours.

• Benatex

It is necessary to place the pill deeply, up to the cervix. This should be done before sexual intercourse in about 10 minutes.

• "Erotex"

The form of dispensing the drug is suppositories. Apply it 10 minutes before sex. The substance will be active for 3 hours.

• "Kontratex"

The activity of the pill begins after 10 minutes. after administration, lasts up to 4 hours.

• "Patentex Oval"

It is a vaginal suppository that is placed inside the vagina before sexual intercourse for 10 minutes.

• "Traceptin"

The pill must be administered within 10 minutes. before sex. Itching, burning may occur.

Contraceptive pills after 40 years should be selected with particular care, because the body is prone to the development of chronic diseases, the number of contraindications for taking hormonal drugs increases. The use of non-hormonal contraceptives will suit this age even earlier (after 35 years) if you have irregular sexual intercourse. In addition, drugs have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial action, which is very important. Medicines of this type are allowed to be used during pregnancy and lactation.

With proper selection by a gynecologist, modern hormonal contraceptives are almost harmless, but many women avoid these drugs due to fear of side effects and prefer alternative drugs - non-hormonal birth control pills. It's time to deal with the features, advantages and disadvantages of this method of protection against unwanted pregnancy.

Non-hormonal contraceptive pills are contraceptive drugs belonging to the spermicide group, which are used for local protection against unwanted pregnancy immediately before sexual intercourse. Upon contact, the active substance of spermicides (benzalkonium chloride, nonoxynol or another) destroys the spermatozoon in a few seconds to prevent its penetration into the uterus.

Spermicides also have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects: they can protect a woman's body from fungus and some sexually transmitted diseases. Therefore, contraception with spermicides is considered one of the best methods if other means are contraindicated.

It must be understood that non-hormonal contraceptives are not pills in the full sense of the word, that is, they are not drunk. They come in the form of suppositories, sponges, foams, or tablets that are inserted into the vagina just before intercourse.

Benefits of non-hormonal birth control:

• no contraindications (suitable for women of any age, can be protected for gynecological diseases and for postpartum contraception);
• do not harm health;
• no need to drink every day;
• reduce the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections;
• a good choice for women who lead an irregular intimate life (enhance the protective properties of the condom).

Flaws:

• used immediately before sexual intercourse;
• you can not take a shower for a certain time (for each drug, the interval is different);
• in rare cases, side effects are observed (allergy to spermicides and skin irritation);

• not suitable for everyday use (with very frequent use, they cause a violation of the microflora and vaginal dysbacteriosis).

Names of non-hormonal birth control pills

1. Patentex Oval (PatentexOval)- is administered 10 minutes before sexual intercourse, the active substance nonoxynol is well tolerated by the body, allergic reactions rarely occur.

2. Pharmatex (Pharmatex)– can be supplied as vaginal suppositories, creams, tampons and tablets. The drug is developed on the basis of benzalkonium chloride, it is applied 10 minutes before intimacy and lasts 3-4 hours. Well protects against chlamydia, herpes, fungi, trichomoniasis, gonococci. If the instructions are followed, it does not affect the normal microflora of the vagina.

3. Gynecotex (Gynecotex)- is available in the form of vaginal tablets, the active substance is benzalkonium chloride. In addition to the contraceptive effect, it has a wide antibacterial spectrum of action. It is introduced 5 minutes before sexual intercourse and is valid for 4 hours. Ginotex should not be used in case of inflammation of the vagina.

4. Conceptrol (Conceptrol)- applied 10 minutes before intimacy, the active ingredient is nonoxynol, supplied in the form of vaginal suppositories. After using the product, it is not recommended to take a shower for 6 hours.

5. Benatex- a non-hormonal drug distributed in the form of gels and tablets. Not recommended for irritation of the vaginal mucosa and colpitis.

Conclusion: non-hormonal contraceptives cannot be used every day, as this is fraught with vaginal dysbacteriosis. Such drugs are considered the best choice for women who have an irregular sex life who want to protect themselves from unwanted pregnancy and genital infections by enhancing the protective properties of the condom.

There comes a time in every woman's life when she thinks about protection against unwanted pregnancy. Currently, pharmacy shelves offer a wide range of hormonal pills that are highly effective. However, in the minds of Russian women, the memory of their side effects associated with gaining excess weight is still alive.

In this regard, many representatives of the beautiful half of humanity prefer to use contraceptives that do not contain hormones, despite their low effectiveness. What non-hormonal contraceptive pills do pharmacists offer women, and what new-generation hormonal contraceptives do not have side effects on the female body?

Nowadays, women of reproductive age are increasingly resorting to chemical protection against pregnancy provided by non-hormonal pills. However, they justify their name only by the form, although they are not tablets as such. These drugs are not taken orally, like traditional hormonal contraceptives, but are inserted into the vagina.

The composition of such drugs includes spermicides - substances that destroy spermatozoa for a short period of time, preventing their penetration to the fallopian tube. Their active substance is benzalkonium chloride or nonoxynol.

How exactly do non-hormonal contraceptives work?

• Coming into contact with the spermatozoon, spermicides destroy the flagellum, preventing its further movement.
• When interacting with the head of the sperm, the membrane is damaged, which leads to its death.
• Causes thickening of mucus in the cervical canal of the cervix, which becomes a reliable obstacle to the advancement of weakened spermatozoa.

Spermicide-based preparations are also available in other substances, which include the following forms:

• vaginal suppositories;
• vaginal creams and gels;
• tampons;
• diaphragms in the form of soft dome-shaped caps covering the cervix.

Regardless of the form of release, the use of non-hormonal contraceptives allows you to create a reliable protective barrier against fungi and other diseases transmitted during unprotected intercourse. This is facilitated by the substances that are part of the preparations, which have a bactericidal and antimicrobial effect.

A distinctive feature of non-hormonal methods of contraception is that they must be used immediately before intimacy. At the same time, they retain their effectiveness for several hours.

Degree of reliability

Evaluation of the effectiveness of certain contraceptive drugs is made on the Pearl scale. The study is conducted among 100 women using this particular method of contraception. This indicator is based on information about how many women among the subjects managed to become pregnant despite protection. And the lower the indicator, the higher the effectiveness of the evaluated group of drugs.

In this case, this indicator is 8-36. And this means that from 8 to 36 women out of 100 become pregnant even with protection from unwanted pregnancy.

When is the use of non-hormonal drugs indicated?

Despite the rather low efficiency, non-hormonal contraceptive pills have a number of advantages compared to hormonal methods of contraception.

• They can be used for various gynecological diseases, for example, uterine fibroids, as well as in the presence of hormone-dependent tumors.
• These drugs do not enter the stomach and are not absorbed into the blood, and therefore are not able to affect the liver, blood vessels and other body systems.
• They can be used for rare sexual contact.
• They have a bactericidal and antimicrobial effect, which hormonal agents are deprived of.

Non-hormonal contraception will be a reliable protection for women who are breastfeeding babies. They are used if women are contraindicated in the use of COCs or other types of contraceptives.

These drugs will help prevent pregnancy in women of Balzac age (40-45 years). In this age period, the menstrual cycle is already irregular. However, the possibility of pregnancy is not excluded yet.

Disadvantages and contraindications

Such drugs are injected into the vagina. Moreover, this must be done at least 10 minutes before the intended sexual contact. This means the absence of any unpredictability in sex and the need to discuss with the partner the time of each intercourse. When using these drugs, it is not recommended to take a shower immediately before and after sexual intercourse. The time to wait is specified in the instructions for each drug.

As part of non-hormonal drugs, there is an acid that can irritate the mucous membrane, causing itching and burning in the vagina. At the same time, these funds are not recommended to be used regularly, since their long-term use can lead to a violation of the microflora in the vagina, causing the development of dysbacteriosis. There are no contraindications for the use of these contraceptives. The only exception is the individual intolerance of their components.

Overview of popular contraceptives

All non-hormonal tablets are divided into groups, based on which of the active ingredients is included in their composition.

Names of contraceptives based on benzalkonium chloride:

• Pharmatex is the most popular because of its low cost, combined with high efficiency. It is available both in the form of vaginal tablets, and in the form of a cream, suppositories and even tampons. Regardless of the dosage form, the drug begins to act 10 minutes after ingestion, without losing its properties for 3-4 hours.
• Ginotex are ring-shaped tablets. It is recommended to enter them no later than 5 minutes before contact. The action of the tablet lasts for 4 hours.
• Genoteks are tablets, the action of which is identical to the previous drugs.
• Erotex - non-hormonal contraceptive suppositories, the action of which begins after 10 minutes and ends after 3 hours.
• Contratex are candles that begin to perform their functions after 10 minutes and finish after 4 hours.

Names of contraceptives based on nonoxenol:

• Patentex Oval - highly effective suppositories that are inserted into the vagina 10 minutes before the intended intimacy. They keep their action up to 10 hours.
• Nonoxenol is a contraceptive suppository that has the same characteristics as the previous drug.

It should be remembered that before each subsequent sexual intercourse, non-hormonal contraceptives must be reintroduced.

Features of choice

How to determine which non-hormonal birth control pills are best? Given their low cost, when choosing the price is not a decisive factor. However, as the experience of women who have already experienced all existing forms of non-hormonal contraceptives shows, candles are suitable for ladies suffering from vaginal dryness. When using them, there is no need to use lubricants.

There are also unpleasant phenomena associated with the fact that when the tablet is dissolved, a characteristic hiss is heard, and foam is released from the vagina. In addition, even using the best preparations, it is possible that irritation, itching and burning can occur not only in women, but also in their partners. Every woman's body reacts differently to certain substances. Therefore, it will be necessary to determine which of the non-hormonal contraceptives is better through trial and error.

Hormonal birth control

Every year, an increasing number of women prefer the use of hormonal oral contraceptives, which is explained by their high efficiency. They not only reliably protect against unwanted pregnancy, but also have a beneficial effect on the female reproductive system. Among other contraceptives, a new generation of contraceptives took pride of place on the pedestal.

All modern hormonal preparations for oral administration are divided into four types, based on the amount of hormones they contain.

• Microdose contraceptives contain a minimal amount of hormones, which practically deprives them of side effects. The active substance in such preparations is a synthetic analogue of estradiol. Because of this, they are used to treat acne and painful menstruation that occurs due to imbalance of hormones. Such drugs can be used by both very young nulliparous girls and mature women who have never taken hormonal contraceptives.
• Low-dose contraceptives also contain synthetic in combination with. Such drugs will be an ideal means of preventing unwanted pregnancy for young women who have already given birth. In addition to the contraceptive effect, these drugs help to eliminate the manifestations caused by excessive levels of male sex hormones in the body. These include hair growth in inappropriate places, acne, and male-pattern baldness.

• Medium-dose contraceptives contain synthetic analogues of estradiol with progesterone. They are intended for mature women who have given birth. Like the previous version, these drugs are designed to normalize hormonal levels. However, they should not be used during breastfeeding.
• High-dose contraceptives contain high doses of estradiol and progesterone. Such drugs are most often used for medicinal purposes to restore hormonal levels. To protect against unwanted pregnancy, birth control pills of a new generation are recommended for women who have given birth after 35 years of age.

emergency contraception

These funds are used in emergency situations, and allow you to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse. They are recommended for use in the following cases:

• in case of violent actions, or if the condom is damaged;
• with infrequent sexual intercourse.

Contraindications to their use include a violation of blood clotting, heart and vascular disease, liver and kidney failure, malignant tumors and smoking.

Features of taking pills

How long can oral contraceptives be taken, and do they need to be changed? They must be taken daily and preferably at the same time. And it is recommended to start taking them on the first day of menstruation. These drugs are intended for long-term use. However, women taking hormonal contraceptives need to visit a gynecologist every year. In the absence of any contraindications, contraception can be continued.

With long-term use of COCs, menstruation may stop altogether, and this is not a pathology. However, if a woman forgot to take a birth control pill, and the last day of menstruation is long gone, this may be a sign of pregnancy. After the abolition of contraceptives, the menstrual cycle is fully restored within 1-2 months. In this case, pregnancy can occur immediately or after a short period of time. You can drink birth control pills for several years. If they do not cause any side effects in a woman, they should not be changed. Otherwise, the body will experience stress.

Natural ways of protection

Methods of protection against unwanted pregnancy without hormones have been used since ancient times. Despite the wide range of modern contraceptives offered by pharmacists, they still do not lose their relevance today.

One of them is based on counting the days of ovulation. The average menstrual cycle is 28 to 30 days long. In its first half, the follicle matures. And ovulation occurs in the second half of the cycle. The ability to fertilize a mature egg remains for 2-3 days. In this case, spermatozoa can take a wait-and-see position for 4 days. Therefore, special care must be taken only about a week in the middle of the cycle.

In some cases, it is possible to determine the days of ovulation by measuring the basal temperature, which rises on the most dangerous days. However, the reliability of calculations and measurements of temperature in the rectum cannot guarantee full protection.

Some couples practice coitus interruptus. However, in this case, the onset of pregnancy is not excluded, since a small amount of sperm may be contained in the lubricant secreted by the partner's penis. In this case, the likelihood of pregnancy increases depending on how many sexual acts were performed.

Bibliography

1. Venereal diseases. Directory. Ed. N. 3. Yagovdika. - Minsk: "Belarusian science", 1998. - 342 p.
2. Emergency conditions in obstetrics. Sukhikh V.N., G.T. Sukhikh, I.I. Baranov et al., Publisher: Geotar-Media, 2011.
3. Pregnancy and childbirth with extragenital diseases. Certification of UMO for medical education, Apresyan S.V., Radzinsky V.E. 2009 Publisher: Geotar-Media.
4. Rakovskaya I.V., Vulfovich Yu.V. Mycoplasma infections of the urogenital tract. - M.: Medicine, 1995.
5. Diseases of the cervix, vagina and vulva / Ed. V.N. Prilep-

She graduated from the Kirov State Medical Academy in 2006. In 2007, she worked at the Tikhvin Central District Hospital on the basis of the therapeutic department. From 2007 to 2008, he worked at a hospital for a mining company in the Republic of Guinea (West Africa). From 2009 to the present, he has been working in the field of information marketing of medical services. We work with many popular portals, such as Sterilno.net, Med.ru, website

Types of contraception

• hormonal agents;
• contraceptive spirals;
• contraceptives with spermicidal action;
• barrier means;
• natural methods.

The latest contraceptives

Hormonal birth control

It is very important to consult a doctor before using hormonal drugs, as there are many serious contraindications for their use.

The action of hormonal contraceptives is based on the suppression of ovulation and the thickening of the mucous secretion secreted by the cervix. Thick mucus prevents sperm from entering the uterine cavity, and the flow of sex hormones from the outside prevents the production of its own sex hormones, so that the egg does not mature.

Birth control pills can be divided into 2 groups:
1. Combined oral contraceptives. They contain 2 hormones: estrogen and progestin.
2. Mini-pill - contain only progestogen.

Combined oral contraceptives, depending on the composition, are divided into monophasic and triphasic. In monophasic contraceptives (Regulon, Marvelon, Jess, Janine, Logest, Novinet, Rigevidon, etc.), all tablets contain the same amount of hormones. Three-phase contraceptives (Tri-Merci, Triquilar, Tri-Regol) contain different amounts of hormones.

Three-phase preparations are used less frequently. They are worse tolerated, despite the fact that their composition mimics the change in the content of sex hormones in the body of women during the menstrual cycle. Depending on the dose of the hormone estrogen, there are high-, low- and micro-dose combined oral contraceptives in the preparation. Currently, low- and micro-dosed tablets are more often prescribed. Take oral contraceptives every day, at the same time.

Combined oral contraceptives should not be taken under the following conditions:

• cardiovascular diseases;
• blood clotting disorder;
• liver disease;
• high blood pressure;
• severe headaches, migraines;
• excess body weight;

age over 35;
• malignant neoplasms of the genital organs and mammary glands;
• elevated cholesterol;
• gallbladder disease;
• age over 40;
• pregnancy and lactation.

Adverse reactions with the use of oral contraceptives may include irregular bleeding, fluid retention in the body and weight gain. Their severity and frequency depends on the dose of the hormone contained in the tablets.

Safe contraceptives used during lactation include:

• mini pili- the composition includes only gestagens, thereby reducing the risk of a negative impact on the duration of breastfeeding, the quantity and quality of breast milk. Breastfeeding women can take them as early as 5-6 weeks after giving birth. The disadvantage is the frequent occurrence of intermenstrual bleeding - a sign of adaptation of the body to the drug. Before using oral contraceptives, a doctor's consultation is necessary.
• Depo-Provera injectable, subcutaneous implant "Norplant" - also due to its composition they do not affect lactation, they are highly effective. They are distinguished by a long contraceptive period - 5 years for a subcutaneous implant and 12 weeks for Depo-Provera. The disadvantages of the method are that they are prescribed and administered only by a doctor. Side effects are the same as in drugs containing only gestagens. In the first 2 weeks there is a need to use additional methods of contraception.
• Intrauterine devices- do not affect breastfeeding, are established for up to 5 years and begin to act immediately after administration. Disadvantages of this method: possible discomfort in the lower abdomen during feeding, heavy and painful menstruation in the first months of use. They cannot be used if a woman has had inflammatory diseases of the uterus and appendages before or after pregnancy. inserted and removed by a doctor.
• barrier methods of contraception(condom, diaphragm) - quite effective during lactation, subject to the rules of use. Do not affect the health of the child, the amount and composition of breast milk.
• Spermicides- can also be used during breastfeeding, due to local action does not affect breast milk. Quite effective when used correctly - can be used independently, without additional funds.

Contraceptives for women over 45 years of age

The age of 45 years and older is characterized by a gradual fading of ovarian function and a decrease in the ability to conceive. Despite this, the likelihood of an unplanned pregnancy remains quite high, especially if regular menstrual cycles are maintained. Therefore, contraception is especially relevant during this period. Pregnancy at this age is accompanied by a high risk of complications, such as miscarriage, preeclampsia, incorrect location of the placenta. Childbirth and the postpartum period are more difficult, child morbidity and mortality are higher. Also, concomitant diseases of women play an important role - cardiovascular, diseases of the digestive system, liver, urinary system, most often of a chronic nature.

It is important to use contraceptives not only before menopause (when menstruation has completely stopped). It is recommended to continue taking it for 2 years if menopause occurs after 45, and for 1 year if menopause occurs after 50.

The choice of a method of contraception at this age is quite complicated, and is carried out only in conjunction with a doctor. It is necessary to conduct a survey to identify possible contraindications for a particular method.

• barrier means(condoms) - safe to use, but quite often cause some inconvenience. Chemical spermicides are also widely used not only due to their contraceptive action - they are able to reduce the effects of dryness in the vagina, which is important for women in perimenopause.
• Intrauterine devices often contraindicated at this age due to the large number of diseases of the body and cervix. If there are no contraindications for use, preference should be given to hormone-producing spirals (Mirena), since they have not only a contraceptive, but also a therapeutic effect - with menorrhagia (uterine bleeding) they reduce the volume of menstrual blood loss, help prevent inflammatory diseases of the genital organs, reduce the risk of developing iron deficiency anemia.
• Hormonal drugs- Advantageously, gestagenic agents are used, such as mini-pills, Depo-Provera, Norplant. They are not able to influence blood coagulation, lipid metabolism, liver function. The use of combined oral contraceptives is rather limited. They are used only if the woman does not smoke (smoking is an absolute contraindication to their appointment), and there are no other risk factors for the development of thrombosis and coronary heart disease. Preference is given to low-dose drugs, such as Logest, Mercilon.
• Sterilization is the most reliable method of contraception, but it is rarely resorted to, since this method is quite invasive, and is a surgical intervention.
• emergency contraception at the age of 45, it is used extremely rarely, since the use of large doses of hormones causes severe adverse reactions.