Preventing Std S and Pregnancy Safely

Preventing Std’s and Pregnancy Safely 1

Preventing Std’s and Pregnancy Safely

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ENG-2001, Section 01

Insert University Here Preventing Std’s and Pregnancy Safely 2

Thesis: Though other forms of birth control are effective against pregnancy only condoms protect against STDs and therefore make the best choice for protection during intercourse.

Outline of Birth Control Methods

I. In the prevention of Pregnancy there are two methods that are effective in reducing pregnancy. The first is through the use of condoms.

A. The male condom.

1. Description of the male condom is a balloon like structure shaped in the

form of a penis. The material from which condoms are made can be

animal membranes, plastic, or the most often used latex rubber.

2. The condom is slipped over the penis prior to sexual intercourse and

provides protection from pregnancy and STDs when used properly.

a. How it is designed to work.

1. Once a man reaches orgasm and ejaculates sperm also prior to

full ejaculation, the condom captures the secretions forming a barrier against entry into the vagina of the female.

2. In this way the sperm is blocked within the condom, where it

can be disposed after intercourse. Preventing Std’s and Pregnancy Safely 3

b. Advantages of this form of birth control.

1. Over the counter availability

2. They are easily to dispose of

3. Most effective way for males to prevent pregnancy and STDs

without surgery.

B. The female condom.

1. This birth control device is soft and pouchlike. It is lubricated and made of a

thin form of synthetic latex. The female condom provides a barrier to birth

control.

2. It has soft ringlets on both ends. One end being open and the other closed. The

closed end is inserted into the vaginal wall. Once inserted it provides protection

from sperm and STDs during sexual intercourse.

3. How it is designed to work. Semen is blocked from entering the vagina by the

female condom, which captures the sperm during sex and ejaculation by the male.

The ring on the inside closed end of the condom is kept in place by the pubic bone.

C. Advantages of this form of birth control.

1. Over the counter.

2. Effective in deterring pregnancy and provides protection against STDs. Preventing Std’s and Pregnancy Safely 4

3. Comfortable, natural feel.

4. Does not affect the natural menstruation and hormonal cycles.

5. Simpler way for a woman to protect herself

II. The second is thorough surgical removal of specific reproductive organs, namely, the male vasectomy or the female Tubal Ligation.

A. Male Vasectomy.

1. This is considered a permanent method of birth control or contraceptive.

This choice is for those who do not wish to ever have children. It is a

choice that must be made carefully as it is considered a permanent

or irreversible procedure.

a. Description of the procedure. A vasectomy can be done out-

patient by a doctor. It involves a minor cut into the scrotum in the

upper region. The incision is made into the tubes where the sperms

travels toward the semen. The tubes are cut and tied off. The male is

still able to secret semen, however it is sperm free. This method does

not prevent protection from STDS, only pregnancy (Stacey, 2009).

b. How effective is a Vasectomy. A vasectomy is considered 100%

effective against birth control.

B. Tubal Ligation. Preventing Std’s and Pregnancy Safely 5

1. Tubal legation is a procedure that makes a woman sterile. Incapable of getting pregnant. It can be done by a doctor in both a evasive and non-evasive procedure.

It is considered a semi-permanent procedure that can be reversed. However there is increased risk of complications such as an ectopic pregnancy. Meaning the fertilized egg, baby does not travel to the uterus. It will result in a stillborn pregnancy.

a. Description of the procedure. First the woman receives anesthesia. The

procedure requires that two incisions be made in the belly area above the

fallopian tubes, which are cut and tied or sealed so that the egg cannot travel

toward the uterus. Sperm is also blocked from reaching the egg in the

fallopian tube.

b. How effective is a Tubal Ligation. After having a Tubal Ligation there is a

chance, of getting pregnant within 10 years according to the U.S.

Collaborative Review of Sterilization in their Hallmark Crest study. Factors

that affect this number 18.5 of 1,000 women that have had the procedure are

age, and the specific method of Tubal Ligation performed .(Peterson, H.B.,

Xia Z., Hughes, J.M., Wilcox, L.S., Tylor, L. R., & Trussel, J., 1996). Preventing Std’s and Pregnancy Safely 6

Preventing STD’s and Pregnancy Safely

In the prevention of Pregnancy there are two methods that are effective in reducing pregnancy. The first is through the use of condoms and the second through doctor assisted measures such as surgery. Though other forms of birth control are effective against pregnancy only condoms protect against STDs and therefore make the best choice for protection during intercourse.

Condoms are known worldwide as the first choice of pregnancy and STD protection. Though they are not 100 percent effective they are relatively close, between

97 percent and 99 percent for both applications. Condoms are made for both the male and female though the male condom is more predominately used and is more effective against

STD infections.

STD infections include gohnorrea, chylmidia and syphilis, all of which if are found early on can be cured. However the more serious STD’s which can be contracted during intercourse, are not curable like HIV, Herpes, and Hepatitis. These diseases attack the immune system and can have serious effects on the body up to and including terminal illness and death. Protection from these diseases is best achieved by abstinence but in today’s society that is not likely to happen. So protection coupled with birth control in the form of condoms were created to keep those sexually active healthier and prevent the spread of those diseases.

Birth control is another important factor in contraceptives. Not only do those who have multiple partners not wish to contract an STD, most do not need to procreate with Preventing Std’s and Pregnancy Safely 7 every one they have intercourse with. There are several methods of birth control, including surgeries and oral contraceptives but it is the condom that is the best protection from both unwanted results of intercourse.

The male condom is a long tube of latex about the length of the average penis.

The condom is initially rolled down the penis. At the end of the tube is reservoir that when the male ejaculates the semen is caught in. When intercourse is finished the male can pull off the condom and discard it later. He must be sure not to touch any thing to the female after intercourse or pregnancy may be possible. Male condoms are manufactured by many companies and come in various sizes and shapes. For those allergic to latex, sheep skin condoms have been created. There also is a number of condoms that are specially designed to enhance pleasure as well as many that include a spermicide that kills sperm as an extra prevenative measure. The latex prevents contact of bodily fluids and prevents most STDs.

The female condom is also made of latex, and is not used as frequently as the male condom. This is often referred to as a diaphragm. This type of condom blocks semen entering the cervix by placing the condom in front of it. It is cupped to keep the semen from reaching the cervix and is later removed by the female after intercourse. This method has a higher failure rate. Another form of blocking device with a much higher rate of success is the IUD. The IUD is a device inserted into the cervix by a doctor that plugs the cervix not enabling sperm to pass through but allowing mentral flow to pass out. It is a recent development in birth control and though it is not preventative of STD’s it is a effective prevention of pregnancy. Preventing Std’s and Pregnancy Safely 8

Condom usage has both advantages and disadvantages. Both forms are available over the counter and are relatively effective in preventing STD’s and Pregnancy.

However depending on the amount of intercourse you have and your personal preferences, condoms can be expensive. It is not nearly as expensive as having a baby though or contracting HIV.

Other forms of contraceptive that prevent against pregnancy but not against

STD’s are, oral contraceptives, (commonly known as “The Pill”), the patch, a slow release contraceptive introduced to the blood stream through the skin, and the injectables, like depo prorvera, and norplant. The latter of these lasts as long as five years and the former up to 4 to 6 months. The side effects of these medications are varied, but can include weight gain and weight loss, increased menstral cycles and cramping or lack thereof.

Surgical procedures are another method of obtaining birth control. These procedures can have devastating effects on the body much like any other surgery though more than often they do not. Side effects of the removal of reproductive organs often includes weight gain and lack of energy. The body is constantly being prepped to reproduce. It goes along a biological clock in cycles. We go through puberty and production of semen and eggs and the removal of unused products. Women have menstral cycles and men must void semen at least once every few days to weeks. When surgery is done to remove these organs the cycles stop and the body responds by shutting down those things needed for reproduction. Sexual drive and desire is reduced as well. Preventing Std’s and Pregnancy Safely 9

The female procedure is called a tubal ligation. Early on this meant the fallopian tubes would be tied and cut and the ends burned. Eggs were then unable to continue down the fallopian tubes and be implanted in the uterine wall. In recent developing years, other methods of this procedure have been developed. There now are clips that can be placed on the tubes which are much easier to reverse should the woman decide later to have children. The likelihood of a etopic pregnancy was reduced using this method.

Along the same lines of processing is the procedure that involves plugging the tubes, though this has a slightly higher rate of failure. After having a Tubal Ligation there is a chance, of getting pregnant within 10 years according to the U.S. Collaborative Review of Sterilization in their Hallmark Crest study. Factors that affect this number 18.5 of

1,000 women that have had the procedure are age, and the specific method of Tubal

Ligation performed .(Peterson, H.B., Xia Z., Hughes, J.M., Wilcox, L.S., Tylor, L. R., &

Trussel, J., 1996).

The male procedure is called a Vasectomy. A vasectomy can be done out-patient by a doctor. It involves a minor cut into the scrotum in the upper region. The incision is made into the tubes where the sperms travels toward the semen. The tubes are cut and tied off. The male is still able to secret semen, however it is sperm free. This method does not prevent protection from STDS, only pregnancy (Stacey, 2009). This is a much safer procedure than a woman receiving a tubal ligation. The amount of time it takes to heal is less than a week while a woman with a tubal ligation can be hospitalized for several days and be on bed rest for up to six weeks. Complications include swelling of the testicles and discomfort. Lack of sex drive after the procedure has been done is also prevalent. Preventing Std’s and Pregnancy Safely 10

This choice is for those who do not wish to ever have children. It is a choice that must be made carefully as it is considered a permanent or irreversible procedure.

In conclusion, there are many forms of birth control and STD prevention. The male condom according to all references appears to be the most effective and the safest. It is easily obtained and if one has more than one sexual partner it is the most obvious solution to prevention of both STD’s and pregnancy. However if one has only one partner and STD’s are not a worry then one of the other methods may be the right choice. The bottom line is next to abstinence nothing is one hundred percent safe and precautions need to be taken in order to insure the safety of all involved. Though other forms of birth control are effective against pregnancy only condoms protect against STDs and therefore make the best choice for protection during intercourse. When in doubt be honest, ask questions and protect oneself before anything else, because it is better to be safe than sorry and any child brought into this world deserves to not have been an accident but a joyful occasion between two people in love and no one wants to walk away from a pleasant experience only to find that it wasn’t worth the cost of their lives or health. Preventing Std’s and Pregnancy Safely 11

References

Peterson, H.B., Xia Z., Hughes, J.M., Wilcox, L.S., Tylor, L. R., & Trussel, J. (1996).

The risk of pregnancy after tubal sterilization. U.S. Collaborative Review of

Sterilization. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 174, pp. 1161-

Stacey, D. (2009). Methods of Permanent Birth Control. Retrieved March 17, 2009 from

http://contraception.about.com/mbiopage.htm

Allen, Paul, (2008), Condom: One Small Item: One Giant Impact, New International

Press.

Nofzinger, Margaret, (1992), A Cooperative Method of Natural Birth Control, Book

Publishing Corporation.

Preston, Samuel H., (1986), "Changing Values and Falling Birth Rates," Population And

Development Review, 12: 176-95.