Current reversible contraceptive methods: a global perspective.

Abstract

Since the 1960's, there have been important gains in the efforts to make the benefits of family planning accessible to people around the world. However, prevalence of contraceptive use is still low in some areas, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Making contraceptives accessible through good quality services should be a goal for reproductive health programs. In the absence of an ideal method of contraception which would suit every individual, there is a variety of contraceptive methods with advantages in some aspects and disadvantages in others from which people should be able to choose according to their particular characteristics and needs. Important aspects to take into consideration include effectiveness, convenience, and safety. In general, the most effective methods are more likely to have some side effects and method-related complications. However, when weighing the risks and benefits, the most effective methods have greater benefits on the health of women by protecting them better from the health risks of unwanted pregnancies. Most methods also have non-contraceptive benefits - for instance, combined oral contraceptives (COCs) provide important degrees of protection against endometrial and ovarian cancers, benign breast disease, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and ectopic pregnancy. They also reduce menstrual blood loss. Although barrier methods have lower effectiveness against pregnancy, their most important advantage is the protection they can provide against sexually transmitted diseases. The male condom in particular (and probably the female condom) has the special value of providing protection against HIV infection. This paper describes reversible methods of contraception including possible health risks and contraindications. Adequate counseling, however, is essential for people to make an appropriate choice of contraception and to secure safe and effective use of the method.