Contraception

Contraception can be defined as the use of medicine, devices or surgery to prevent pregnancy. When it comes to contraception, there are several options:

• Oral Contraceptive Pill (OCP) - suppresses ovulation and thins endometrial lining, preventing implantation and alters sperm motility by thickening cervical mucous

• Mirena IUD - thins the endometrial lining which prevents implantation. It also thickens cervical mucus making it inhospitable to sperm

• Copper IUD - the presence of copper inhibits sperm mobility and makes the endometrium inhospitable to sperm

• Implanon - thins the endometrial lining which prevents implantation. It also thickens cervical mucus making it inhospitable to sperm

• Diaphragm - non-hormonal barrier method of contraception that is fitted into the vagina and covers the cervix, preventing sperm from meeting and fertilising an egg

• Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) - a non-hormonal method of tracking your cycle, cervical mucous and basal body temperature to identify your fertile window

Fertility Awareness Method (FAM):

Involves tracking your cervical mucous, basal body temperature and optionally your cervical position to identify the fertile window in your cycle, to either prevent or plan a pregnancy. Fertility Awareness Methods allow women to accurately identify their fertile window by tracking primary fertility biomarkers such as cervical mucous, basal body temperature and urinary hormone levels.

The FAM comes with no side effects and allows for deeper connection with a woman’s cycle which can give an individual valuable information about their overall health and fertility.

Cervical Mucous:

Cervical mucous is produced by the glands of the cervix and the amount and consistency changes throughout the different stages of the menstrual cycle due to the effect of fluctuating hormones.

Preovulatory - a small rise in oestrogen drives production of pre-ovulatory mucous. The fibres act like a filter, catching abnormal sperm. You are likely to see this 3-4 days pre ovulation. There is therefore a moderate risk with unprotected intercourse.

Ovulatory fluid - the highest production of cervical mucous is at the time of ovulation. The consistency resembles that of an egg white - stretchy and slippery with aligned fibres to facilitate sperm movement. This is the peak of the fertile window, and this type of mucous is likely to be seen in the 24 hours prior to ovulation

Post ovulatory - there is decreased production and a thicker consistency to cervical mucus post ovulation. This mucous feels thicker and sticky, and fibres have no pattern meaning they act as a barrier to sperm. It is likely to see this around 24 hours after ovulation for a few days.

When tracking your menstrual cycle, changes in cervical mucous are a good indicator of your fertile window, which is helpful in timing conception or avoiding pregnancy.