Do you know that North American girls drink a poisonous concoction of alcohol and dried beaver testicles as a type of contraceptive?
And the traditional Egyptians took it even additional – they utilized crocodile dung and honey paste into the vagina earlier than intercourse as a spermicide.
Lengthy earlier than trendy contraceptives happened, historical people devised inventive methods like these to outwit nature and stop undesirable pregnancies.
Fortunately for us now, secure and confirmed strategies of contraception – from injections, drugs, to even an app – are available.
Even so, gynaecologists share that contraceptive myths and misconceptions nonetheless exist at present, albeit rather a lot much less weird than crocodile poo.
“There’s a basic ignorance and false impression about using contraceptives in Singapore,” says obstetrician and gynaecologist Christopher Ng, medical director of GynaeMD Girls’s and Rejuvenation Clinic.
“For example, the tablet is underused right here although it’s really simpler (in stopping being pregnant) than condoms. Many ladies draw back from utilizing oral contraceptives as a result of they’ve misconceptions about how taking hormones is dangerous for them, or that it may possibly result in infertility in a while,” he provides.
A multinational survey commissioned by pharmaceutical big Bayer Schering Pharma has discovered that Singapore girls are significantly confused about contraceptive choices, in comparison with girls in different areas.
Greater than half of the younger Singaporean girls – 60 per cent – surveyed admitted they weren’t very conversant in the assorted contraception choices obtainable.
About one in 5 and over a 3rd additionally thought that intercourse throughout menstruation and the withdrawal technique are efficient types of contraception, although gynaecologists say these strategies are literally extremely unreliable.
After which there are some girls who nonetheless imagine that emptying the bladder and bathing after intercourse can stop being pregnant – completely unscientific, sadly.
In Singapore, the male condom stays some of the fashionable contraceptive choices, specialists say.
Quite the opposite, different types of barrier strategies akin to the feminine condom, diaphragm and cervical cap lag far behind in recognition and effectiveness as a result of “girls are typically uncomfortable about having to place them on”, says Dr Wee Horng Yen, obstetrician and gynaecologist at The O & G Care Clinic.
Regardless of the recognition of the male condom, Dr Christopher Chong, obstetrician, gynaecologist and urogynaecologist of Chris Chong Clinic, says many {couples} find yourself utilizing them incorrectly.
This barrier technique is as much as 98 per cent efficient in stopping being pregnant, however the determine drops drastically when used incorrectly.
To be secure, there needs to be no direct contact between the penis and the vagina earlier than the condom is worn. “It’s because pre-ejaculation secretions could have much more sperm depend than within the precise ejaculation itself,” explains Dr Chong.
He provides that additionally it is essential to “squeeze the air pocket on the tip of the condom” earlier than placing it on to forestall tearing.
“Folks suppose all they should do is to place it on and that’s it, however a condom is barely efficient if it’s worn accurately,” says Dr Chong.
The docs interviewed stress that there isn’t any one-size-fits-all contraceptive technique. “What fits you’ll rely in your age and way of life,” says Dr Ng.
Typically, Dr Ng advises younger {couples} who are usually not able to increase their household to make use of contraception strategies, akin to a mixture of condoms and the tablet, that are short-term and simply reversible. Older {couples} who’re accomplished with household planning could wish to take into account longer-term contraceptives.
That can assist you alongside, we check out numerous contraceptive choices obtainable.
Supply: Her World