Gynaecologists.co.uk - UK Gynaecologists

After expert treatment from our experienced and highly-skilled gynaecologists, we have seen countless patients’ lives transformed.

click here for more information...

Please select your nearest location... Ayr Birmingham Blackpool Bristol Cambridge Canterbury Cardiff Caterham Cheltenham Coventry Droitwich East Grinstead Edinburgh Elland Essex Farnham Gatwick Glasgow Gloucester Halifax Harpdenden Hastings Hereford Hertfordshire Huddersfield High Wycombe Huntingdon Kent Kingston Upon Thames Lancaster Leeds Leicester Lincoln Liverpool London Macclesfield Manchester Merseyside Milton Keynes Middlesex Newcastle Northampton Norwich Nuneaton Oxford Plymouth Preston Princes Risborough Rochdale Solihull Southampton South Lancashire St Helens Stafford Surrey Sutton Sutton Coldfield Torquay Tunbridge Wells Warrington Warwickshire Washington Watford Wrexham Wigan Wimbledon Worcester York

Barrier Contraception

Barrier contraception is the name given to methods of contraception that create a physical barrier to prevent sperm from passing into the uterus. Examples of barrier contraception are condoms, female condoms and diaphragms. These are all put into place before sexual intercourse takes places, in order to contain sperm and reduce the chances of contracting sexually transmitted diseases.

The condom is the most popular form of barrier contraception, as they are relatively cheap, easy to use and more aesthetically pleasing than other methods of contraception. It is widely used throughout developed and undeveloped countries as a primary method of family planning and prevention of disease. A condom is a disposable sheath most commonly made of latex but sometimes made of polyurethane, which is placed over the erect penis before intercourse and then removed and disposed of afterwards. It is put on by holding the reservoir tip so as to prevent any air bubbles forming in the condom that could create holes, and rolling the ring down the shaft of the penis until it is completely protected. The elasticated ring at the base of the shaft holds the condom in place for the duration of intercourse.

Condoms are considered to be extremely effective when it comes to reducing the risk of pregnancy and contraction of diseases, as they physically prevent the sperm from entering the uterus and minimise the chance of coming into contact with bodily fluids. Latex condoms cannot be used with oil-based lubricants, as these lubricants can cause breakage. All condoms are tested for holes before they are packaged due to government regulations, to ensure the safety of the product.

The female condom is a larger and more expensive version of the traditional condom. It is placed inside the vagina before intercourse with one end outside the entrance of the vagina, and the erect penis can then enter without coming into contact with the female. They are similarly effective as normal condoms, and can be re-used a number of times before they become unsafe. They are larger and less convenient than normal condoms, and are therefore not as commonly used.

The diaphragm is a similar method of barrier contraception. It is a large ring that is placed inside the vagina and creates a physical block. It is again less convenient than the condom, and it does not effectively guard against sexually transmitted diseases as bodily fluids can still pass between man and woman.