CONDOM
A thin flexible
sheath worn over the penis to prevent entrance of sperm into the vagina, the
condom is effective as a birth preventive as well as protection against
disease. Since the condom has been under the control of the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration as a medical material, its quality has been improved. There is
little danger it will break during intercourse. But it is important to buy
condoms at a good pharmacy and to select recognized brands.
To be absolutely certain, a condom should be tested before
use. An inflated condom can be placed under water; if there is .l leak, bubbles
of air will appear. Some men dislike the condom because they feel it lessens
sensation during intercourse; others find it satisfactory. It should be in
place before the penis is inserted into the vagina. Donning it just before
orgasm is risky, since some sperm may leak out before ejaculation actually
takes place.
The condom should be worn so there is loose space at the tip to
provide room for the ejaculated semen. Usually, it is advisable to lubricate
the outer surface of the device with K- Y jelly or some other bland lubricant
before intercourse in order to facilitate entry. Unless the condom is forbidden
by religious precepts, it can be a useful preventive of pregnancy while a woman
is learning to use another contraceptive method.
THE PESSARY
This device, worn by
a woman, prevents sperm from entering the uterus or prevents the fertilized egg
from embedding itself in the uterine wall. The type that covers the cervix or
mouth of the uterus is called a diaphragm and is an excellent method for
preventing conception. It is made of soft rubber with a rim bound by a flexible
metal spring. Some time before the sexual act, the diaphragm is coated with a
vaginal contraceptive live jelly, inside and out, and inserted. Properly
placed, it lies across the opening of the uterus and will remain there until
withdrawn. o When a diaphragm is left in place eight hours after intercourse,
no touché is needed, although a plain warm-water douche may be taken or the
sake of daintiness.
When a diaphragm has been carefully fitted by a physician,
when directions for its use are followed exactly, and when it is regularly
inspected for holes or tears by holding it up to the light and stretching it
gently, it should be reliable and comfortable. There may, however, be some risk
of impregnation while a woman is first learning to use the diaphragm method
and, during this period, perhaps for several weeks, the husband may do well to
employ the condom, until the wife feels certain about the method and has
returned to her physician for a recheck of technique.
Another type of pessary is the intrauterine device, or IUD,
which is in increasing use. IUD's, of which there are many varieties, are made
of metal and plastic in varied shapes-rings, coils, loops. All, when properly
inserted into the uterus, discourage conception. None is 100 percent effective;
no method is; but according to some reports, a properly fitted and used IUD may
be as much as 98.5 percent effective. All IUD's permit fertility to return as
soon as they are removed
A minority of women fines
that their device tends to be ejected; sometimes, when this happens with one
type, another type will remain in place. Also in a minority of women an
intrauterine device may cause bleeding. No one is quite certain how IUD's
achieve their effect. Somehow, the presence of the device within the uterus
either prevents sperm and ovum from meeting, or prevents the egg from
implanting itself within the uterus.
