IUD is one of the oldest methods of contraception. The earliest evidence for the existence of intrauterine contraception find more than four thousand years ago. Of course, the inverse images of the intrauterine device had little in common with the latest safe products that are created with the use of high technology. The modern history of intrauterine device is connected with the name of a German doctor Ernst Gräfenberg, who in 1926 proposed to use as intrauterine contraceptive device ring created from an alloy of bronze, brass with the addition of a small amount of copper.

What is the intrauterine device

Intrauterine device - one of the most popular and effective means of contraception. IUD is a small device made of plastic and copper that is inserted into the uterine cavity.

The procedure is generally simple, but it can be carried out only by a qualified specialist - gynecologist. Typically, IUD set in the last days of menstruation or immediately after its completion, since the cervix will be slightly expanded, which significantly facilitate the installation process. Doctor made antiseptic vaginal study the position and size of the uterus, to select the optimum position for the installation of a spiral.

Within a few hours after the establishment of an intrauterine device in women may experience jerky abdominal pain and spotting that pass in a few days. Spiral will protect against pregnancy from two to five years. In addition, at any moment it can be removed, and the ability to get pregnant will recover in the short term.

IUD is one of the cheapest means of contraception, besides, it does not cause any discomfort. Many couples prefer to use the spiral as it is imperceptible for the woman and for her partner.

Intrauterine device - harm or help?

The situation spirals must be controlled. On first inspection after installation IUD woman comes to the gynecologist after four or five days. During this period, she should abstain from sexual relations Sexual relations: how to bring passion . On subsequent inspections can come once every six months to monitor the position of an intrauterine device. On the situation spiral gynecologist can be judged by a thin plastic thread is attached to the end of the intrauterine device. If the thread is not detected, it could indicate several conditions: the spiral is in the uterus, but the thread broke away; It was spontaneous removal of the helix, and the woman did not notice it; thread drawn into the uterus because of the pregnancy. In order to establish the details of the doctor is required to conduct additional research. By the way, set the spiral will not harm the embryo in the early stages. Of course, the IUD must be removed after the pregnancy is discovered.

Contraindications

But do not forget that every means has contraindications, including the intrauterine device. Do not use the spiral has not yet given birth to women, since the installation of IUD occur mechanical expansion of the cervix. Subsequently, this may lead to inflammation. For nulliparous danger lies in the fact that some women after installing intrauterine device can no longer get pregnant, although this is very rare.

Despite the fact that the intrauterine device - is an excellent means of contraception, it can not protect against sexually transmitted diseases by. Do not use a spiral and during pregnancy, in the presence of allergy to copper, receiving anticoagulants or problems with blood clotting, uterine bleeding, inflammation.

In the first month after the establishment of the spiral in some women may occur expulsion (spontaneous loss IUD). This is possible during menstruation or during intensive physical activity. But that does not mean you have to completely stop playing sports. Woman with established IUD can engage in physical exercise, swim, to lead an active sex life and use tampons How to use sanitary pad - basic precautions . Spiral invisible and will not be felt. But if after setting the IUD appear abundant spotting Spotting - it is important to rule out pathology Do not give rest to severe pain in the abdomen Abdominal pain: when to sound the alarm? , Delays menstruation should consult a gynecologist and is likely to remove the spiral.

The most natural method of contraception, given to us by nature, is associated with the menstrual cycle. If a woman knows your menstrual cycle, it could protect themselves from unwanted pregnancy and, on the other hand, choose to conceive these days of the month during which pregnancy is most likely to occur.

Woman's menstrual cycle as the basis for safer sex

Menstrual cycle consists of several phases. In each of these phases in the woman's body is different, and sometimes opposite effects via the hormone system. Total of three phases, and they divide the menstrual cycle into three unequal time periods.

The first phase - a first half of the menstrual cycle. Menstrual cycle begins on the first day of menstruation. At this time in a woman's ovaries occurs oocyte maturation, which is placed in the follicle (the bubble). Depending on what the duration of the entire menstrual cycle (it can last 21 to 30 days or more), the first phase may last from 10 to 15-16 days or more. At this time, a woman's body are the female sex hormones estrogen and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), the pituitary gland - the main endocrine glands of man. These hormones stimulate the maturation of follicles in the ovary and prepare the mucous membrane of the uterus for pregnancy: it expands and becomes loose - in this mucous membrane will be easier to penetrate the fertilized egg.

The second phase - ovulation or the release of an egg from the ovary. This phase is very short - just release an egg from the follicle ruptured into the peritoneal cavity and fallopian tube (this is where she should meet with the sperm). Ovulate mid-menstrual cycle is usually 14-16-th day (need to be considered from the first day of menstruation). At the time of ovulation in the woman's body have the greatest impact pituitary hormones FSH and LH (luteinizing (LH).

Third phase - the second half of the menstrual cycle. During this period, on the site of the bursting of the follicle in the ovary, a new temporary endocrine gland - the corpus luteum, which produces the female sex hormone progesterone Progesterone - norm and pathology . Corpus luteum phase begins with ovulation and continues until the bottoms of the menstrual cycle. Progesterone prepares the mucous membrane of the uterus for the introduction of a fertilized egg and trying to delay the ripening of other follicles (they can destroy the pregnancy). If pregnancy does not occur, the corpus luteum atrophies and becomes a scar, as well as progesterone cease to have effect on the body, the mucous membrane of the uterus is rejected, accompanied by bleeding, that is, menstruation begins. Simultaneously it starts a new start of the menstrual cycle.

How to use a menstrual cycle in order to prevent unwanted pregnancies

In order to prevent unwanted pregnancy, you must first carry out the correct calculation of their menstrual cycle. It takes six months to a year. But this method is not suitable for all women, but only those who have a relatively stable menstrual cycle and small deviations in time. During the period of calculation of the menstrual cycle can not use hormonal contraceptives.

To perform the calculations necessary to make a special notebook, where you can mark the start and end of the menstrual cycle during the analyzed period. Once these records appear for at least six months, it is possible to calculate. To do this, take two periods, the shortest and the longest during the analyzed time. From a short period of consuming the number 18 (the day of the turns dangerous period), from the long - 11 (the last day turns dangerous period).

Example: 24 - 18 = 6 (the sixth day - the beginning of a dangerous period); 28 - 11 = 17 (the seventeenth day - the end of a dangerous period). That is, the possibility of pregnancy the woman is from 6 to 17 day menstrual cycle The days of the menstrual cycle: Four phases .

Periods of relative and absolute sterility in the woman's menstrual cycle

If a woman's menstrual cycle is constantly changing, it is a natural contraception method it will be difficult to use. In this case, at least she should know in what period of her body less willing to conceive. There are two periods, one of which is called a period of relative sterility (ie conception is still possible), and the other - Absolutely (absolutely impossible to conceive).

A period of relative sterility called the first period of the menstrual cycle when the egg is not yet ripe. Why is he a relative, if the egg is not? The fact is that unlike the egg sperm in a woman's body much longer (up to 6 days) and should be able to wait for ovulation Ovulation - How to determine as accurately as possible? That is, the appearance of the egg in the fallopian tube. Therefore, the closer to the middle of the menstrual cycle, the more dangerous it becomes sex.

The period of absolute sterility comes two days after ovulation (egg daily lives, and another day - an amendment to an error in the calculations). After that conception is absolutely impossible, because there is no egg, and she will be a very long time (at the sperm have no chance to wait for it).

The menstrual cycle of women - a delicate instrument, which at the correct calculations can be used for safe sex Safe Sex - Myth or Reality? .

Galina Romanenko