Effectiveness of Contraceptive Methods (Nursing)

00:01 So now let's look at the effectiveness of our contraceptive methods altogether. So when we think about spermicides, we think about fertility awareness, the sponge, withdrawal method, condoms whether they're male or female, then we're thinking less than 13% of pregnancies in 100 women who are able to get pregnant in a year. Now if we want to be a little more effective, then we can move to 4-7 pregnancies and those devices might include the diaphragm, the ring, the patch, the pill, or the injection. So the Depo shot. So we're moving along on the continuum of being slightly more efficacious and then the most efficacious method. So this is going to be less than 1 pregnancy out of 100 women in a year.

00:50 We're thinking of sterilization, IUDs, vasectomy, or the implant. So, when you're talking to clients about what's going to be the most effective and you're thinking about all those factors we talked about at the beginning of the lecture and what makes someone decide what method to use, you might want to show them this chart so they can make the best decision for them. Now let's look at another factor when we're thinking about contraceptive methods. So, thinking of not only preventing pregnancy but protecting us from STDs or whether or not the method has to be prescribed by a provider. So can I go to the grocery store to the market and pick it up or do I need to make an appointment? Abstinence, guess what, it's the only thing that's 100%. It works. It also prevents STDs. And guess what, you don't need a prescription. So that's going to be our most effective method. Now when we think about IUDs, they're going to be around 98-99% effective, they don't offer any STD protection and you need a prescription. We think about oral contraceptives, still 97% effective, doesn't prevent STDs, and you definitely need a prescription. If we use the ring, it does prevent pregnancy, it does really well at that, doesn't prevent STDs, and you still need a prescription for that. Same thing with the patch. Condoms, however, even though they're less efficacious, they do offer STD protection, and you don't need a prescription.

02:18 So that might be the best option for someone who doesn't have a provider or doesn't want to go to the provider, or needs to make a decision really quickly. A diaphragm, same effectiveness in general, but it doesn't offer STD protection and you do need a prescription to have it fit. The cervical cap is exactly the same. The female condom, however, less efficacious, does prevent STDs, and you don't need a prescription. So that would definitely work. The withdrawal method, hmm, or should the least effective method around 73%.

02:51 It does not protect against STDs and you don't need a prescription. So probably the easiest one to do, but definitely the least effective.