05 Aug Why Learning About Contraceptives is Important

The Philippines is facing two health concerns in terms of reproductive health—the increasing number of teenage pregnancies and the continuous spread of the Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).  

The Philippine Institute for Development Studies reported in 2022 that 71 in every 1,000 women aged 15-49 went through an unplanned pregnancy between 2015 to 2019.  

Meanwhile, 36 in every 1,000 Filipino girls aged 15 to 19 already gave birth between 2004 to 2020.  

A 2022 Philippine National Demographic and National Survey noted that 42% of surveyed married women and 59% of sexually active unmarried women still do not use any contraceptive method.   

Contraceptives also prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections, sexually transmitted diseases, and HIV.  

In May, it was reported that the Philippines is seeing an average of 55 new cases of HIV every day, with cases including people as young as 15.  

Why You Should Learn About Contraceptives?  

Family planning is done through the proper use of contraceptives. Family planning is one of the important components in preventing poverty. Aside from the economic aspect of it, learning the use and the proper use of contraceptives also offers health benefits to both the mother and the whole family.  

The benefits of family planning are:  

• Reduced teenage pregnancies  

• Improved mental health  

• It helps with cramps, anemia, and PMS symptoms  

• Reducing the spread of HIV, STDs, and STIs  

• Reduced infant mortality  

• Reducing rates of unwanted pregnancies  

• Lowers the risk of some cancers  

• Empowered women mean an empowered household  

To find the type of contraceptive that fits you perfectly, you should learn how they work.  

Contraceptives: Knowing Your Options  

Contraceptives have several types, such as hormonal, barriers, nonhormonal, or sterilization.  

Short-term hormonal contraceptives 

Short-term hormonal contraceptives include birth control pills, the vaginal ring, the skin patch, and the contraceptive injection. They are considered to be short-term hormonal contraceptives as you need to remember to use them daily, weekly, or monthly.  

If used correctly all the time, hormonal contraceptives have more than 99% effectiveness in preventing pregnancies.  

Long-term hormonal contraceptives  

Long-term hormonal contraceptives usually take three to 10 years before they are removed or changed. It includes copper and hormonal IUD and the contraceptive implant.  

Barriers  

Barrier contraceptives are anything that puts a barrier between a penis and vagina to avoid the sperm from reaching an egg. In addition, condoms, a barrier contraceptive, prevent the spread of STIs, STDs, and HIV.  

Examples of barrier contraceptives include diaphragms, condoms, cervical caps, and contraceptive sponges.   

External condoms have an effectiveness rate of 87% when used properly. Meanwhile, cervical caps, contraceptive sponges, and diaphragms are 71% to 88% effective when used properly.  

Sterilization  

Both men and women can undergo the procedure of sterilization. For men, it is vasectomy. Meanwhile, women undergo sterilization through tubal ligation.   

Vasectomy is over 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. It takes time before it becomes effective.  It is best to use a backup contraceptive within a three-month time frame to be safe.  

Tubal ligation is also 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.  

Learn more about your reproductive health by talking to your doctor. When you know your options regarding your reproductive health, you make a sound decision regarding the matter.  

Visit our network of providers to book your next doctor’s visit https://icare.com.ph/accredited-doctors/ 

SOURCE: 

Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Birth control options. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved July 25, 2024, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/birth-control/in-depth/birth-control-options/art-20045571 

Dedictoria, M. (2024, January 25). It’s 2024: Pinays, are we discussing enough about our sexual and reproductive health and rights? Philstar. Retrieved July 25, 2024, from https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/health-and-family/2024/01/25/2327680/its-2024-pinays-are-we-discussing-enough-about-our-sexual-and-reproductive-health-and-rights 

Gutierrez, P. (2024, May 22). Philippines recording 55 new HIV cases per day: DOH chief. ABS-CBN News. Retrieved July 25, 2024, from https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/5/22/philippines-recording-55-new-hiv-cases-per-day-doh-chief-1542 

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR381/FR381.pdf 

Healthline. (n.d.). Barrier methods of birth control: Types, effectiveness, and more. Healthline. Retrieved July 25, 2024, from https://www.healthline.com/health/birth-control/barrier-methods-of-birth-control#condoms 

United Nations Population Fund. (n.d.). Family planning. Retrieved July 25, 2024, from https://www.unfpa.org/family-planning#readmore-expand 

Philippine Institute for Development Studies. (n.d.). Senator urges sexuality education to sustain drop in teenage pregnancies. Retrieved July 25, 2024, from https://www.pids.gov.ph/details/news/in-the-news/senator-urges-sexuality-education-to-sustain-drop-in-teenage-pregnancies#:~:text=71%20in%20every%201%2C000%20women,same%20as%20the%20global%20average