Contraception
There is a problem with the way we're taught sex education in educational institutions, and I’m sure most of you would agree. There are multiple shortcomings in the scope of the syllabus, for example, there is no mention of queer sexual relations and protection at all or even proper discussions on issues such as consent. This can be very harmful to people our age. A lot of us are told to 'cover up' and 'repress our sexual urges' rather than being taught how to make sure your partner is comfortable, or how to have safe sex. Topics like harassment, or setting and respecting boundaries are just skipped over. Instead, we have numerous workshops on how to defend ourselves (yet none on how to recognize and call out predatory behaviours early on, or to educate teens on why such behaviour is harmful). All this ends up creating is an environment of victim-blaming around sexual abuse and also ends up alienating sexual intercourse and intimacy, turning it into an unspeakable ‘rite of passage’ into adulthood and maturity (which it most definitely is not). This air of mystery of course only increases the appeal, and without proper knowledge being provided to us by educators, leads teens to practice unsafe sex. While every such issue and its repercussions cannot coalesce into a single article (more on that later), there is one issue in particular that we would like to cover this month - contraception.
More commonly known as birth control, contraception is any artificial method used to prevent conception during intercourse (that is, penile-vaginal penetration). There are many methods of contraception - some more common than others. For teens, young adults, or, people of any age range having the kind of sex that leads to insemination, this helps avoid unwanted pregnancies, either due to not being mature enough themselves to handle a responsibility of this magnitude, being financially unstable, predicted genetic complications, or simply not wanting to have a child. Depending on factors like health, the number of sexual partners, desire to have children in the future, there are different methods of contraception that have different benefits. The two most relevant types of contraceptives to our age group are barrier contraception and emergency contraception.
Let’s start with the more common type - barrier contraceptives, which are designed to physically prevent sperm from entering the uterus. An example of this, which most people are aware of, are condoms that are designed to cover the penis. Usually made of latex or polyurethane, they have a small reservoir at the tip to catch ejaculation. While the average pregnancy prevention rate for these is 85-86%, if they come with spermicidal agents (that kill sperm on contact) or are used with lubrication (to prevent tears), the effectiveness increases to up to 95%. With the added benefit of also preventing STDs (sexually transmitted diseases), this method is most usually the one subsidized by governments and is the most accessible. Click here for more information on these condoms and how to use them!
There is another type of condom which is less commonly used - it is in the form of a long nitrile pouch that is inserted inside the vagina, much like the way one would insert a tampon. It’s the less popular alternative since it’s slightly less effective at preventing pregnancy and is more expensive. However, since it is latex-free, it can be used by individuals with latex allergies, or by people who find condoms uncomfortable to wear. It is also less likely to tear than penile condoms. Some people also prefer it since it creates a more intimate environment without ‘breaking the flow’, as it can be left in for a certain period and thus does not have to be put on immediately before and taken off immediately after sex. For more information on how to use these, click here. Both these kinds of condoms, can also be used for anal sex.
There are several other objects, accompanied by spermicidal gel, that can be inserted into the vagina to prevent sperm from entering the uterus - to name a few, we have contraceptive sponges, diaphragms and cervical caps. However these are not common or easy to find and use, and the latter two require visits to a health practitioner - not very viable options for younger generations.
Now, let’s move on to emergency methods of contraception. True to the name, these are methods used to prevent pregnancy after sexual intercourse has already taken place - as an emergency measure. For example, if you only found out about the correct usage of protection after having sex - or your condom tore midway or something. While they are usually recommended for use within 5 days of intercourse, the sooner the better, as its effectiveness only decreases prevention with time. The two main forms of emergency contraceptives are copper IUDs and emergency contraceptive pills.
The copper IUD (intrauterine device) is a distinctly T-shaped piece of flexible plastic that is covered with copper and can be inserted into the cervical canal after sex to prevent pregnancy. Its recommended use is within 120 hours after unprotected sex. It is hailed as the most effective method of emergency contraception, as it boasts a nearly 100% success rate, with the added advantage of being an effective contraceptive for the 5-10 years that it may remain inside the canal before having to be removed or replaced. It has very few contraindications and its effectiveness is not affected by the weight of the person using it. However, this method is not a good option for you if you experience heavy periods, have low iron levels or a uterus that is not the usual shape. For more information, head here.
A more common method is the emergency contraceptive pill, better known as the ‘morning-after’ pill. These are hormonal pills that may be ingested orally within 72 hours of unprotected sex, and they reduce the possibility of pregnancy to 87%. If taken prior to ovulation, they can delay the cycle by 5 days, allowing sperm to become inactive in that period before they even fertilize the egg. Potential side effects can include nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue and headaches - and if you vomit after taking the pill, you should consult your healthcare professional with regards to repeating it. Anybody who is not pregnant or does not have a history of allergy to its ingredients can use it, including minors! However, one should keep in mind that these pills should not be used as regular contraception, and only as a Plan B. It is also important to remember that both of these methods do not help prevent STDs. To learn more about the pill, click here.
Other than the two types we’ve already discussed, there’s also quick-acting hormonal methods that (depending on the type) either prevent ovulation, thicken the cervical mucus or thin the uterus lining. These hormones are introduced into the body via pills, skin patches, injections, as well as vaginal rings. Depending on the method, however, they may have a variety of side effects and a wide range of failure rates, and require prescription and monitoring by healthcare professionals - which is not very feasible for younger age groups in a society like ours that tends to ‘shield’ teenagers from anything remotely sexual till adulthood. More on hormonal contraception for anyone who wants to read about it is right here!
This concludes our topic for this month’s issue of the Teen Dispatch. As we mentioned earlier, at the beginning of the article, sex ed is a very broad topic with a wide range of topics and concepts and knowledge to cover - just a single article could never do it justice, the same way a few hours sitting in a workshop doesn’t either. And we want readers to genuinely benefit from our material - which in this case, is very relevant, as well. Sex ed doesn’t just cover the logistics of intimacy, so even if you aren’t sexually active and don’t plan to be in the future, this is still important information! This is why we are proud to announce that from now on, well into the foreseeable future, you guys will be seeing the both of us in every single issue, covering new areas of sexual education, under a series entitled ‘The Sex Ed Chronicles.’ Hope to find more articles on queer sex education, practising safe sex, the meaning of consent and more! Stay tuned <3