Contraception Methods Requiring No Medical Care

Of the various contraception and birth control methods available, those that do not require medical prescription or supervision are; withdrawal, condoms, spermicidal jellies, creams, and foams, vaginal suppositories and sponges, and douching.

Withdrawal
Withdrawal or coitus interruptus, is an ancient method. As the name implies, the man withdraws his penis from the woman's vagina before he ejaculates. The idea is to prevent pregnancy by ejaculating outside the woman's body. The advantage method is that it is readily available and costs nothing. The disadvantage is that a few sperm are usually present in the lubricating fluids emitted from the penis during sexual arousal prior to ejaculation. One of these may accomplish fertilization. One sperm is all it takes!

Condoms
A condom is a thin rubber or natural skin sheath that is placed over the erect penis just before intercourse. It capture and holds the man's seminal fluid, so that sperm will not be deposited in the vagina.

The condom has been widely used throughout the world for centuries. Condoms cause no harmful physical side effects, and they are the only form of contraception that definitely helps prevents the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. With the present epidemic of these diseases, this is an important consideration for sexually active men and women.

The condom is the leading mechanical method of birth control in the world. The importance of its easy accessibility and great effectiveness, especially when used in combination with vaginal foam, should not be underestimated; when used with foam. it is as effective as the IUD.

Foams, Cream, and Jellies
The nonprescription foam, creams and jellies are vaginal spermicides that the woman inserts in her vagina, against the cervix, with a plastic applicator; they act by destroying sperm. Like the condom, vaginal foams is especially useful for individuals who require a portable, simple, inexpensive, nonmedical method, that can be used as often or as seldom as intercourse takes place. There are no harmful side effects with this method, with the possible exception of rare allergic reaction that can usually be avoided by changing brands.

Other Products
In addition to vaginal foams, creams, and jellies, drugstores carry vaginal suppositories and tablets containing spermicides. However, these are considerably less effective than the foams, creams, and jellies, and they have been found to irritate and cause infection of the vagina in some women with continual use.

A new contraceptive method is the sponge, containing a spermicidal chemical, that the women place against her cervix. It can be inserted up to twenty four hours before intercourse and must be left in place for at least six hours before it is remove and discarded. The sponge is so easy to use that some researcher are calling it the woman's condom. It was approved by the FDA in April 1863 for over the counter sale.

Among the available birth control methods that required some medical care are oral contraceptives, intrauterine device, diaphragm, and the rhythm method.