Doctors talked about the risks of popular methods of contraception
Women are increasingly abandoning hormonal contraception and choosing alternative methods, including intrauterine systems and male sterilization. All the details are in the Izvestia article.
Contraception trends
In modern gynecological practice, there is a clear trend towards the rejection of combined oral contraceptives by women aged 30-45 years. According to obstetrician-gynecologist Elena Driginkina, the main reasons are concerns about venous thromboembolic complications and decreased libido. At the same time, patients often avoid copper coils because of the risk of heavy menstruation, and the calendar method is considered ineffective.
As the main alternative, women who have given birth most often choose the intrauterine system with levonorgestrel. The doctor emphasizes that such a system acts locally, does not cause systemic estrogenic effects, and has virtually no effect on sexual desire. For unborn patients, Driginkina recommends subcutaneous implants that provide protection for three years.
Myths about security
Driginkina dispels myths about the safety of interrupted sexual intercourse, which remains a common cause of unplanned pregnancies. For couples who practice this method, the Pearl index is 20-27%, which means pregnancy in every fifth to sixth couple during the year. Despite a decrease in fertility after the age of 40, ovulatory cycles persist in most women, so the risk of conception remains significant.
According to Elena Driginkina, when using intrauterine systems, the complication rate in women over 35 years of age is extremely low. The probability of system failure is less than 0.2% per year. Studies also refute the negative effects of such methods on bone density, as the ovaries continue to produce their own hormones normally.
Sterilization and its consequences
When deciding on the complete cessation of reproductive history, doctors are increasingly recommending vasectomy instead of female sterilization. This is due to the fact that the men's procedure is outpatient, performed under local anesthesia and has a risk of complications of less than 1%. Female sterilization requires laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia and is associated with the possibility of damage to internal organs or thromboembolism.
"Vasectomy is as effective as tubectomy, but it has an order of magnitude lower risks, does not require hospitalization, and does not disrupt the hormonal function of a woman's ovaries. This is not discrimination, but a balanced balance of benefit and safety," notes Elena Driginkina.
At the same time, Karim Tirsi, a urologist and Candidate of Medical Sciences at Olympus Clinic MARS, points to the low popularity of vasectomy in Russia compared to European countries and the United States. He emphasizes that such an operation is virtually irreversible, since fertility can be restored only in 7-10% of cases. According to the specialist, there are no medical indications for this procedure, it is performed solely at the request of the couple.
"Due to the mentality of Russian men, they are not ready to perform such operations. This is my deep conviction, unlike Europeans, Asians, and Americans," said Tirsi.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
