Contraception Methods for Allie: A Comprehensive Guide

INTRODUCTION
Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation, commonly caused by pregnancy, reproductive
organs problems, and glands that regulate hormones. The common symptoms of amenorrhea
include lack of menses, acne, loss of hair, changes in vision, superfluous facial mane, pelvic
pain, and whitish nipple discharge5. Common causes of amenorrhea include; use of some
methods of birth control like the oral pills, menopause, breastfeeding, and pregnancy. A lifestyle
like factors including; little body weight, excessive athletic exercises, mental stress, an imbalance
in hormones also causes amenorrhea9. Family history and eating disorders also cause
amenorrhea. Amenorrhea has common implications like the inability to conceive and weakening
of bones. Excessive exercises and the use of condoms are the most probable causes of Allie`s
amenorrhea.
Contraceptives refer to the use of a particular method to prevent pregnancy. Contraception
methods include the use of barrier methods, emergency contraception, permanent contraception,
fertility awareness, and long irreversible permanent methods.
Questions that would come up in our conversation with Allie include; after how long is she
considering bearing children, how often does she practice, how comfortable is her fiancée with,
having vasectomy performed on him , how much free time does she have daily and whether she
is planning to start smoking or not, all these questions will be aimed at helping in determining
the effective contraception method for her to use as some of the methods will require her taking
pills daily and also hinder immediate pregnancy contraction. The contraception methods to be
discussed with Allie include;
i) Male Condom
They are cheap, available readily and with no prescription. They are used only during sex. They
come in various sizes and thinness. Condoms are lubricated for pleasure and to enhance
sensitivity1.
Although condoms are available, cheap, they help protect against Sexually transmitted diseases,
they have various disadvantages including the possibility of bursting to create a risk of
contracting STIs and even pregnancy. In addition, male condoms also decrease pleasure during
sex. They also have to be handled with extreme care so as to avoid bursting. People with latex
allergies cannot use latex condoms too, it is due to either of the following reasons that Allie and
her partner find it uncomfortable using condoms. The following birth control methods will be
discussed with Allie.
1.Emergency Contraception
They are an irregular birth control method which is used to help prevent unplanned pregnancy.
Some of the reasons that may prompt one to use emergency contraception include; bursting of a
condom, miscalculation of a fertility period, missed a birth pill or injection and nonconsensual
sexual activity2. This birth control method is only intended for occasional use. There are two
emergency contraception methods:

A) Morning after pills
They are the original birth control method available. They are effective if used within 72 hours of
sexual activity10.
B)” Copper Intrauterine Device (IUD)”
This is the most emergency contraception method15. It is a copper device inserted by a medical
doctor within seven days of unprotected sex14. Copper Intrauterine Device is only available on
prescription11.
2. Hormonal Contraception
This method works by regulating the hormone levels during the menstrual cycle of a woman. It
does this by mimicking the progesterone and estrogen hormones which are produced by the body
naturally3. Hormonal contraception include;
A) The Oral Contraceptive Pill
It`s also called the birth control pill, it is most effective for women who are healthy regardless of
how old they are and can be used for a long period of time. There are two kinds of oral
contraceptives, the combined oral contraceptive (COC), which contains both estrogen and
progestin, and the progestin-only contraceptive (POP). The Pills are readily obtainable at
pharmacies but requires a detailed prescription during the first year of use3.
Advantages
Oral contraception is highly effective, can be reversed and they do not interfere with sexual
activity, the pills also reduce acne, they also decrease the possibility of ovarian cysts and
fibroids. Some diseases like colon cancer, pelvic infection, endometriosis and miscarriage can
also be reduced by the use of these pills.
Disadvantages
Oral contraceptives may interfere with menstrual flow, the effectiveness of this method may be
reduced by other factors like medication. Use of oral contraceptives may also result in hormonal
side effects like moodiness, liver diseases like cholestasis jaundice, gall stones and liver
adenoma, unwanted hair growth, nausea, headaches, and breast tenderness. This method also
does not guard the user against Sexually Transmitted Contaminations and they have to be taken
daily thus tiresome. In addition, this method can only be used by women over the age of thirty-
five years and those who do not smoke.
Contraceptive Patch

This is a square beige reinforcement that sticks to a woman’s covering and uninterruptedly
discharges the hormones estrogen and progestin into the blood. The patch prevents pregnancy
predominantly by stopping the ovaries from releasing an egg.
Disadvantages
The patch may be a bit less effective in women
3. Fertility-Awareness Based Methods
This method involves engaging in unprotected sex during the fertile window which is from 5
days before or 1 day to ovulation since the woman is infertile thus she cannot conceive.
First, one has to be acquainted with their menstrual progression4. This can be done by; Measuring
your normal body heat daily then projecting it on a distinct form, Inspecting your urine using
ovulation tools to amount Luteinizing hormone; Noting deviations in your cervical phlegm; Or a
blend of all of these approaches for accuracy. Based on the results of the methods, one then
avoids having sex during the fertility window which is the unsafe days.
Advantages
It is Safe as nothing is introduced in the body. There are no side effects, No or little cost is
incurred13.
Disadvantages
This method is the least effective in preventing pregnancy as it requires a lot of practice to learn
how to use this method correctly since it is based on estimations. Some menstrual cycles are
irregular thus the method is tricky. Requires the partners to be committed to using it. Does not
protect against STIs.
A)Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM)
This is used by a lady who has just delivered and is solely breastfeeding12. The technique is
operative for the first half year after delivery, but only if the female breastfeeds the newborn for
four hours diurnally and every six hours at night, and that her menstrual period has not yet
returned. After half a year, potency may return at any period6.
Advantages
It is Safe and convenient, Breastfeeding has many other advantages for the mother and the baby
and no cost is incurred.
Disadvantages