Five things you may not know about contraception

 

Whether you’re new to contraception or have been using it for many years, thanks to the ever-evolving methods available, there’s always something new to learn about this subject. To prove our point, here are five lesser known facts about keeping babies at bay.

 

 

1. You can get contraception online

 

Gone are the days of sitting in your family doctor’s waiting room, flicking through magazines and thinking about whether or not to go on the pill or the patch. Okay, well they’re not exactly gone but, thanks to online doctor sites like onlinedoctor.lloydspharmacy.com, you can get prescriptions for the contraception method of your choice without leaving the house. You don’t have to fret about your choice being unsuitable either; your contraception will be prescribed by a trained doctor who will assess your situation, offer advice and only prescribe contraceptives that are clinically appropriate for you.

 

2. The combined contraceptive pill can be used to treat acne

 

Not everyone takes the pill just to prevent pregnancy. Some women rely on a daily dose of hormones to help reduce acne. If you experience breakouts around, before or during your period, your acne may be caused, at least in part, by an excess of androgens. Androgens are hormones that stimulate the production of an oil called sebum, which clogs pores and can lead to acne. By taking a pill that that contains oestrogen and progesterone, you can reduce the amount of androgens in your body and, therefore, lower your risk of flare-up.

 

3. Condoms haven’t always been made of latex

 

Condoms are far from a modern invention. In fact, a cave painting dating back to 100-200 AD in Combarelles, France depicts what some historians claim to be condom use. This type of contraceptive has evolved a lot since antiquity, however. Throughout the ages, condoms have been made from linen, animal intestines, fish skin, leather and tortoise shell, among other things. Today, although most condoms are made of latex, you can also get ones that are made of synthetic rubber and lambskin. However, it must be stressed that lambskin condoms are not effective at protecting against STIs.

 

4. Contraception may influence attraction

 

According to a study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, women who meet their partners while on hormonal contraception may find their partners less attractive when they go off their birth control. However, the research shows that this phenomenon only occurs in couples where the male partner is considered less attractive than average by evolutionary standards. It’s thought that the effect may happen because the hormones in contraception mimic pregnancy and make a woman less likely to seek out “genetically fit” partners.

 

5. In the future, men will take contraceptive pills too

 

The number of contraceptive choices men have pale in comparison to the number of options women have. While a woman can choose between the pill, the patch, the intrauterine device (IUD), the intrauterine system (IUS), female condoms, caps, diaphragms and vaginal rings, men can only control pregnancy prevention by using condoms or getting a vasectomy – which is usually a permanent solution. However, a lot or research projects are looking into the development of other reversible types of hormonal and non-hormonal male contraception. Although research is in the early stages, scientists believe that one day a male contraceptive pill will become a reality.