IUD vs. Depo Provera: 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.

IUD vs. Depo Provera

Which is for you?

Safe Sex Practises - Part Two

How to Prepare

Pregnancy

Effects of Safe Sex Practises on the Individual

Effect of Safe Sex Practises on Family/Friends

Effect of Safe Sex Practises on the Community/Population

Refrences