How can I prevent pregnancies? What are the contraceptive methods?
Transcript
How can I prevent pregnancies? What are the contraceptive methods?
Under the Family Health Service of the Department of Health, Maternal and Child Health Centres provide Family Planning Service to the public. Through the Family Planning Service, women of childbearing age can learn about the advantages, disadvantages, and specific features of different contraceptive methods, so that they can choose the most appropriate one.
A variety of contraceptive methods including male condoms, oral contraceptive pills, injectable contraception, intrauterine device (IUD), spermicides and emergency contraception are available at Maternal and Child Health Centres.
For male condoms, apart from contraceptive use, they can also effectively reduce the chance of sexually transmitted infections including Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
Oral contraceptive pills, contraceptive injectables and intrauterine devices have higher contraceptive efficacy than the male condoms. If you want to have more information about oral contraceptive pills, contraceptive injectables and intrauterine devices, you can listen to their relevant information in our system.
Apart from the above methods, can I use spermicides?
Spermicide acts by killing sperms. It comes in many forms, for example: film and suppository. Its contraceptive efficacy is less than the oral contraceptive pills, contraceptive injectables and intrauterine devices. Most spermicides contain a chemical (nonoxynol-9) that can raise the risk of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection when used often.
What is emergency contraception?
Emergency contraception is a contraceptive measure taken after sexual intercourse; therefore, it is also known as post-coital contraception.
It includes taking emergency contraceptive pills or inserting a copper-containing intrauterine device. These methods can effectively help most women prevent unintended pregnancies. The sooner the emergency contraception method is used, the more effective it will be.
Emergency contraception is applicable in the following situations: when no effective contraceptive measures were taken during sexual intercourse, or when it is discovered after sexual intercourse that the contraceptive method used was unreliable, including: condom leakage, rupture, or slippage; missed contraceptive pills; intrauterine device displacement or expulsion, etc..
What should I consider before choosing sterilisation?
If you have completed your family and no longer wish to have more children, then you may consider sterilisation. However, you should discuss with your partner and think carefully before the decision. Factors like the number of children you have, their physical health and your marital relationship should all be taken into considerations. You should be aware of alternate methods of birth control before choosing sterilisation.
Where can I have sterilisation?
Female sterilisation is performed in hospitals under the Hospital Authority that provide specialist gynaecology services. Male vasectomy is performed in specialist surgery service and also in Family Planning Association. Referral letters to the specialists can be obtained from family doctors, Family Medicine Clinics or Maternal and Child Health Centres. You may consult private gynaecologists for sterilisation as well.