Contraception methods help avoid the unwanted cases of pregnancy. Most contraceptive methods are preventive measures whilst some are corrective. While the measures help keep pregnancy at bay, they carry certain risk factors.

The risk factors can be of two types:

• Failure of procedure
• Side effects

To understand the risk factors, it is firstly important to know the most common methods used in contraceptive methods.

Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC)
There are two ways of administering a LARC

Intrauterine device (IUD)
The uterus produces eggs that connect with the sperm to conceive a child. The IUD is a t-shaped copper or hormone-based device which blocks the sperm from traveling to the egg. It is placed inside the uterus by the doctor. This is a reversible procedure with a life expectancy of up to ten years. The copper IUD can be administered in emergency scenarios as well. For example, it can be inserted 5 days from when a person has had unprotected sexual intercourse and when ECP doesn’t apply.

The risk involved:

• Pain
• Infection
• Damage to uterus
• Allergic reactions
• Cramps
• Heavier, longer, and painful periods
• IUD may fall out on its own

How failure can occur
Very rarely an IUD fails and results in pregnancy. However, it cannot be ruled out completely. The IUD might move from its original place (either higher in the uterus or has been incorrectly placed when the procedure has been administered). This is a very rare scenario.

Contraceptive implants
The implants are two tiny rods that produce progesterone when placed inside the arms; this halts the process of producing eggs. This is also a reversible process with a life expectancy of up to 5 years.

The risk involved:

• Irregular periods
• Bruised or sore arm post removal
• Infection
• Rarely doctor are unable to spot rods during the removal

How failure can occur
Rarely the eggs can still be released by the ovaries when in contact with the sperm. However, the chances of pregnancy are quite low.

Vasectomy
It is a permanent procedure for men. The vas deferens is used by the sperm to travel and join the semen before being ejaculated into the vagina through sexual intercourse. Vasectomy is a surgery, where the doctor cuts the vas deferens and ties the two ends of the tube. This results in the sperm no longer connecting with the seminal fluid. Once the surgery has been deemed successful, the man can still ejaculate the semen but it can no longer carry any sperm to reproduce.

The risk involved

• Pain
• Swelling
• Internal bleeding
• Lump in scrotum
• Infection
• Long-term intermittent pain rarely

How failure can occur
Tests are conducted once the surgery is completed periodically to ensure no sperm is found in the semen. Vasectomy is one of the efficient ways of contraception.

Depo Provera Injection
This is a hormonal contraception procedure. An injection of progesterone is given to stop eggs from being released from the ovaries. The injection is administered every 3 months.

The risk involved

• Reduction in bone density
• Reduction or increase in weight
• Allergic reactions

How failure can occur
The injection is around 97% effective only if frequently injected for 3 months. Otherwise, the effect of the hormones reduces and there are chances of pregnancy.