IUD vs. Depo Provera

Intrauterine Device

Credit goes to Emma-Jade West for letting me use her idea of creating a webpage for my assignment. THANKS EM-J!!!! Link to Em-J's website

What is it? - An IUD is a small plastic and copper device which is inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. It has catchment areas (number varies for different models/brands) along the side of the device and is only a few centimetres long, excluding attatched string.

IUD’s come in different sizes and shapes to cater for different uterus’s

The IUD prevents pregnancy by catching unfertilised egg or sperm moving up to fertilise the egg. IUD’s can also have a progesterone additive that thins the endometrium, so in the very slight chance that an egg implants itself on the endometrium, it cannot grow and dies off.

How is it used? - An IUD is inserted into the Uterus, via the Cervix. A doctor will use a speculum (small camera) to look inside the uterus and find the right size/shape IUD the uterus and determine if you are able to partake in the procedure.

It is very important a doctor performs the procedure, becuase if done incorrectly, it is possible to push the IUD through the wall of the uterus.

Contact your local doctor if you would like to carry out the procedure. Click here to e-mail your local GP

Depo Provera

What is it? - Depo Provera is a injectable contraception that contains a clear liquid, very similar to progesterone.

Depo Provera prevents women from becoming pregnant by
1. Stopping the release of an ovum
2. Changing the lining of the uterus, so if an egg does implant itself, it cannot grow.
3. Making the mucus lining in the cervix thicker so sperm cannot get through.

How is it used? - Depo Provera is injected every 3 months into the buttocks or upper arm. It is effective for up to 3 months and is injected during the first few days of menstruation.
The injection is given by a General Practioner, i.e. your local doctor.

Once an appointment is made, he will determine whether you are able to recieve the injection.

If you would like to recieve an injection, contact your local doctor and he will carry out this safe procedure. Click here to e-mail your local GP

Advantages & Disadvantages of an IUD

Advantages

If you are considering using an IUD as contraception, compare the advantages with the disadvantages to determine if it right for you

They are cost effective considering the life of product
They are effective and reliable
They do not interfere with hormonic cycles
Are suitable for women who cannot take the pill
Can be removed at any time
Once removed, fertility returns almost instantly
Does not have any metabolic effect
Each device is effective for up to 8 years

Disadvantages

Risk of pelvic infection is high during the first few weeks
Longer, Heavier and more painful periods for first few months
Does not prevent Sexually Transmitted Infections

Effectiveness - 99% (if used correctly)

IUD's are avaible most from medical clinics and can be inserted there as well.

IUD's are listed on the PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) for $25, but off the PBS, they cost around $250

As is evident, an Intrauterine Device has many Advantages and few Disadvantages, with a high effectiveness and annual cost of about $3.20

Advantages & Disadvantages of Depo Provera

Advantages

If you are considering Depo Provera, it can be useful to weight the disadvantages against the advantages

Periods can be lighter and less painful
After a few injections, periods do not occur
May relieve premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Is effective for three months
Only contains Progesterone, so is good for oestrogen intolerant women
Is not effected by changes in weight or when medication is used
Does not affect a mothers ability to breast feed safely

Disadvantages

Once injection is given, it cannot be cancelled. It has to wear off.
Headaches, tiredness, mood changes and loss of libido (sexual drive) are all possible side effects
Periods may be irregular
Irregular bleeding may occur, but is light and only for first few injections
Long term use of Depo Provera can lead to Osteoporosis
Return of fertility can take up to 6 months
Does not prevent against Sexually Transmitted Infections

Effectivenss - 99% (If injected every three months)

Depo Provera is available at most Pharmacy's if self injected

You can recieve an injection for around $25 + medical costs (if using a doctor)

As is evident, the ratio of Advantages to Disadvantages is about equal, with high effectiveness and a annual cost of about $100.

Which is for you?

Both of these methods can apply for one person, but which one should you choose?

They both require a medical presecription/procedure and are both long term contraceptives.

They are both unable to protect against STI's and they both have a 99% effectiveness rate, that is, 1 in 100 chance of becoming pregnant.

However, the three main deciding factors are -

Cost - An IUD, whether on PBS ($25) or off it ($250) is less expensive than a Depo Provera shot as the IUD can last up to 8 years, where as Depo only lasts 3 months. If calculated, the rough annual cost (excluding medical charges) of Depo Provera is $100. The annual cost of an IUD, if on PBS, is $3.20. If not on PBS, it is $ 31.25. So both ways, an IUD is more cost effective to use

Side effects - When compared, Depo Provera has twice the side effects/disadvantages that an IUD does. Depo can make the user gain weight, have a bone deficiency from long use, creates a loss of libido, etc. An IUD can have heavier and more painful periods,which settle after a few months. So, in the side effects section, an IUD is better choice.

Moral Issues - The main thing that puts people of an IUD is the fact that think do not feel emotionally comfortable with a device inside thier uterus. However, if there is no moral problem with having an IUD inserted, generally, it is the best option to have.

So, when compared together, using an IUD over Depo Provera seems like the best desicion.

However, make sure that you have the right lifestyle to suit these types fo contraceptions. For example, these two types of contraception best suit couples who know each others sexual history and are looking forward to a long life together.

These contraceptives would not be suitable for a woman who has casual sexual relations with many partners as the contraceptives do not aid the prevention of STI's

How to Prepare

To mentally prepare for something as huge as a first sexual encounter, the following questions should be asked -

Are you aware that no contraception is 100% effective, thus, would you be willing to raise a baby?

Are you aware that whether wearing a condom or not, you can still catch an STI?

Is your partner ready, or is he/she being forced into sexual relations?

Are you physically ready? i.e. can you sustain an erection, has your genital area developped so you can have intercourse with a male

Do you or your partner have an STI?

And importantly, is it the right person to lose your virginity to?

It is very impotant you ask yourself these questions and any others you think may be important, before you engage in sexual activity.

Failure to be mentally prepared and physically ready could leave scarring, mental and physical, for the rest of your life.

Effects of Safe Sex Practises on the Individual

Following safe sex practises is vital, not only for the individual and thier partners, but also for friends, family, community and education.

Effects on Partner/Individual

If safe practices are adhered to, then uneeded stress,mental and emotional damage is avoided and risk of recieving an STI is considerably lower.

However, if they are not adhered to, it is possible that a pregnacy could occur. A pregnancy can be devestating for an individual and thier partner. It can lean to financial ruin, emotional ruin and possibly a separation between the two individuals. It is important safe sex practices are adhered to reduce this.

Another risk of not adhering to safe sex practices is a much higher risk of catching an STI or Sexually Transmitted Infection. It is possible, after catching an infection, to beomome impotent, that is to be unable to sustain an erection or impregnate someone. In other words, unable to have intercourse.

Once again, this could be devestating for the couple and could lead to many things, most of which are not enjoyable.

Both of these scenarios will have less chance of happening if safe sex practice are followed.

Effect of Safe Sex Practises on Family/Friends

As demonstrated, the strain on couples can be enourmous when the gamble of not adhering to safe sax practices goes wrong, as it usually does.

How ever, imagine the effect on the family?

They now have the task of helping thier daughter/son look after a new born or care for thier dying HIV/AIDS infected son. Safe Sex practises are important.

Effect of Safe Sex Practises on Family/Friends

When a couple have an unexpected new born, they look to thier parents to help them out; financially/emtionally/personally.
As a result of the mother and fathers ignorance of safe sex pratices, the new grandmother and grandfather must give them moral support and take care of the new born.

However, not only families are affected, friends and co-workers are too. They must take on extra work and listen to thier mate's woes and occasionally chip in somemoney or some time to support the baby. The friendship may even collapse, becuase no spare time is available, as babies require alot of time and effort.

However, what if a partner caught an STI. The parents would be looking after a son/daughter, with a potentially fatal disease, such as AIDS. Not only would they have to live with the disgrace of thier daughter (sleeping around with men she didn't know well), but they would have to provide care and support for thier daughter and eventually; attend her funeral and grieve for her.

Friends of the deceased would have much the same pattern as well. As is shown, the ramifications of not adhering to safe sex practises can be vast. Someting as simple as wearing a condom that costs a couple of dollars or being aware of someones medical history, can save a life and family and friends uneeded stress.

Effect of Safe Sex Practises on the Community/Population

As I have mentioned, the effects so far of not practising safe sex, have had what would be huge ramifications for certain people.

However, what if the practise/or lack of practise was wide spread?

Effects of Safe Sex Practises on the Community/Population

Imagine, of the 6.5b people currently inhabiting earth, 3b of those people, who are uneducated about safe sex, suddenly become pregnant or were the partner of someone who became pregnant? the earth's population would increase by about 1.5 b (accounting roughly for miscarriages and early deaths). That's an increase of roughly 25%.

Obvisouly, this would most likely never happen, at least not that co-ordinated and simultaneously. However, with the Earth soon to reach its population capacity as as parts of the world start to overpopulate, this will become a big issue, how to slow birth rates?
The answer, safe sex education across the world.

Not only does unexpected babies bring about much stress, but on a larger scale, it brings down the wealth of the general population, reduces sanitation levels and creates less housing for more people and increases pollution.

The global effects of not following safe sex practises are catastrophic, but when put together with diseases like HIV/AIDS and other STI's, it creates a situation of emergency and chaos.

Millions of deaths from STI's, poor housing conditions, poverty and famine across the world, deaths from over pollution and wars created, much as they are today in Africa, to gain small deposits of wealth, caused by a simple lack of safe sex knowledge.

That is why is it so important for people to be informed of safe sex practises and also to perform them.