Contraception

Contraception or birth control means different methods used to stop a woman getting pregnant during intercourse. Some methods are more reliable than others, but none are totally reliable. Condoms stop sperm cells coming in contact with the egg cell.

Combination pills, the contraceptive patch, the vaginal ring and the contraceptive implant stop the egg cells in the ovaries from maturing, and thus stop ovulation. This means that fertilisation can’t take place. The contraceptive shot has the same effect but doesn’t always stop fertilisation, this is also true of the hormonal coil. The copper coil and mini pills do not stop ovulation. This means that the egg cell can be fertilised and then rejected from the womb after a human life has started. Condoms stop the sperm cell meeting the egg cell and are the only contraceptive that give some protection against sexually transmitted diseases.