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Contraception. A clinical review for the internist
A M Kaunitz1, E H Illions, J L Jones
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, USA.
The Medical Clinics of North America
|November 1, 1995
Summary
Couples can control fertility with various contraceptive methods, offering benefits beyond birth control. Effective contraception choices include sterilization, oral contraceptive pills, injectables, implants, barrier methods, and IUDs for family planning.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Family Planning
- Contraception
Background:
- Effective contraception empowers individuals and couples to manage fertility and achieve desired family size.
- Contraceptive methods offer significant noncontraceptive health benefits beyond pregnancy prevention.
- Diverse contraceptive options are available to meet varied user needs and preferences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the safety, efficacy, and benefits of various contraceptive methods.
- To highlight the noncontraceptive advantages associated with certain birth control options.
- To inform users about the suitability and effectiveness of different contraceptive choices.
Main Methods:
- Review of established contraceptive modalities including surgical sterilization, oral contraceptive pills (OCPs), long-acting progestin injectables and implants, barrier methods, and intrauterine devices (IUDs).
- Evaluation of contraceptive efficacy, safety profiles, and associated noncontraceptive benefits.
- Consideration of user-specific factors influencing method selection and adherence.
Main Results:
- Surgical sterilization provides permanent, highly effective contraception for both women and men.
- Low-dose OCPs offer safe, effective contraception with notable noncontraceptive benefits for compliant users.
- Long-acting methods (injectables, implants) and IUDs provide convenient, highly effective options, while barrier methods offer STD protection but require consistent use for efficacy.
Conclusions:
- A range of contraceptive methods are available, each with distinct efficacy, safety, and benefit profiles.
- Method selection should align with individual health status, lifestyle, and family planning goals.
- Understanding the full spectrum of contraceptive options, including noncontraceptive benefits, is crucial for informed decision-making.