Contraception: An Evidence-Based Approach

Contraception refers to various methods, medicines or devices used for birth control. There are a number of factors like effectiveness, safety, availability, affordability and accessibility, and acceptability that must be considered while choosing the appropriate method of contraception. Measures of contraception that are widely utilized include female and male sterilization, long-acting reversible contraceptives or LARC methods, short-acting hormonal methods, barrier methods, and natural rhythm methods. Among these methods female sterilization and male sterilization are permanent contraception methods. Female sterilization is a surgical procedure in which the fallopian tubes are tied or closed to prevent the sperm and eggs to fuse for fertilization. The commonly used barrier methods are condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps, and contraceptive sponges. Intrauterine contraception devices include levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG IUS) and copper T intrauterine device (IUD), which are implanted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. This book provides an evidence based approach to contraception. From research to practical applications, case studies and examples related to all contemporary topics of relevance to this field have been included herein.