When breastfeeding is irregular, the first menstrual period is likely to occur within three months after childbirth. If you feed on a regular basis, then the cycle is restored later. But you need to remember that lactation does not protect against pregnancy! The first ovulation usually occurs after delivery before the first menstruation. Therefore, women often become pregnant again quite unexpectedly for themselves. When you consult a doctor, you can choose which method of contraception is appropriate for your lifestyle and health status. We will make your choice easier.
Take the test for ovulation
This must be done in any case. The test itself is not a method of protection against pregnancy, but it helps to determine the appropriate method of protection.
- Action: This is a small device for determining fertile days based on cervical mucus or urine, or according to body temperature.
- Advantages: No side effects, safety. Can complement symptomatic-thermal methods of contraception. Tells the best time for conception if you want to get pregnant repeatedly.
- Disadvantages: Only with a regular cycle the test is reliable. A new diet, travel, infection, breastfeeding - all this can lead to distortion of results. During fertile days, condoms and / or vaginal tablets should be used.
Non-medicament method of contraception
If you do not agree to take hormonal medications or because of your health, you can not take them - this is the ideal medicine for you. It allows you to instantly restore the childbearing function for subsequent pregnancies, as soon as you are ready for it.
- Action: There are many ways this method works. You indicate fertile days based on body temperature measurement every morning (always in one place: in the mouth, ear, vagina), watch for vaginal mucus and / or cervical surface.
- Advantages: It's free. Naturally, the non-invasive method is also good because there is no interference in the body. Also this method will help you choose the day to get pregnant.
- Disadvantages: This method requires training and careful application. Its effectiveness is reduced during lactation, travel, changes in diet, stress. In fertile days, you must refrain from sexual intercourse (or use a condom and / or vaginal pessary).
Oral contraception
The method is good for breastfeeding, and if you suffer from vaginal dryness. It is also an additional protection for condoms.
- Action: Vaginal tablets contain substances that immobilize and kill spermatozoa. Abundant foam prevents them from entering the uterus. It only works for one hour, but it's enough for the relationship.
- Advantages: The method is inexpensive, non-invasive, available without a prescription. It is used as needed. Improves vaginal lubrication.
- Disadvantages: The method is not reliable enough. The tablet should be inserted into the vagina a few minutes before sexual intercourse, then wait until it dissolves. A thick foam is created, which sometimes causes unpleasant sensations (in the form of squelching) during sex. Sometimes pills cause itching and rashes. Within 6-8 hours you can not wash the vagina, which is also not very convenient.
Hormonal contraceptives
During breastfeeding, you can use only one drug. Two-component contraceptives are best not to be taken after delivery, especially if you have very severe and painful menstruation, irregular cycle, hirsutism, acne. Therefore, doctors can recommend a one-component hormonal drug, such as Harmonet or Mercilone.
- Action: The drug contains estrogen and progestin in low doses, but sufficient to protect against pregnancy. These hormones block ovulation, change the composition and density of cervical mucus, do not pass sperm and prevent the implantation of a fertilized egg.
- Advantages: The drug reduces menstrual pain and their abundance. It can improve the skin condition, reduce hair growth on the body, regulate the cycle, reduce tension before menstruation. Reduces the risk of developing ovarian cancer, colon cancer, endometrial cancer, osteoporosis and endometriosis.
- Disadvantages: Admission should be systematic. This can cause nausea, headache, weight gain, puffiness in the extremities, skin problems. Slightly increases the risk of breast cancer. It is recommended for women who suffer from migraines, smoke a lot (after 35 years), have high cholesterol, thrombosis (venous congestion, increased risk), liver failure, diabetes and hypertension. At reception the libido considerably worsens.
Injections
If for medical reasons you can not take hormonal medications, and do not want to constantly monitor the time of your ovulation, this method is for you.
- Action: Intramuscular injections of progestin should be given every three months. They suppress ovulation, lead to changes in cervical mucus (a barrier to sperm) and endometrium (prevents the implantation of a fertilized egg.) By the end of the first cycle of the drug, a visit to the gynecologist is necessary.
- Advantages: Contraception of this type is allowed for use only four times a year.
- Disadvantages: These hormones act for a certain time, and you can not stop them, even if you feel bad after them. Taking the drug may lead to excessive bleeding. After several years of admission, there is an increased risk of osteoporosis. Sometimes a return to the normal cycle can last a year or menstruation needs to be "helped" to recover with special treatment methods.
Contraceptive patch
This novelty has already gained fame throughout the world. This method is consistent with all the principles of hormonal contraception, but you do not have to take pills every day, suffer from liver disease and digestive system. The plaster is invisible, safe and convenient. But there are certain "buts".
- Action: The active ingredient includes hormones - estrogen and progestin. The plaster can be attached to the buttocks, shoulders, hands, belly. It releases hormones into the bloodstream and blocks the process of ovulation.
- Advantages: The substance enters the bloodstream not through the stomach, so diarrhea and vomiting do not reduce the effects of the drug. Efficiency remains in force. Change plasters only once a week.
- Disadvantages: Sometimes a band-aid can break at the edges (then it works less efficiently), and get dirty. It can cause localized itching. Not suitable for women weighing more than 80 kg (for them the concentration of hormones is too small). Medical contraindications are the same as for contraceptive pills.
Intrauterine device
This type of contraceptive is better taken after delivery. If you do not plan to have children and do not want to remember to take pills daily and use condoms - this is your method of protection. It also suits you if you have contraindications to the use of hormones.
- Action: The T-shaped inserts placed in the uterus may contain copper (for example, Nova T, Multilod) or hormones (Mirena, Lady Insert). There is a change in the secretion of the genital tract (sperm motility decreases) and the passage of the egg and its implantation into the uterus becomes impossible. The spiral itself prevents embryo implantation.
- Advantages: This is the most "long-term" method. It will allow you to forget about contraception for three or five years. The spiral works only at the local level. High fever can lead to a reduction in menstruation, its duration and soreness.
- Disadvantages: The installation of a spiral requires a visit to the gynecologist and can be painful. There is a risk of damage to the uterus (although minimal). Improper installation often increases the duration of menstruation increases menstrual pain. May promote infection of the genital tract. And it can not be used by women suffering from allergy to copper.