Since women have started participating in many different social fields, contraceptive methods are required for them so that they can have the chance to contribute to the advancement of society.

• Many methods have been developed in recent years to apply for most cases without any side effects or health issues.
• Women must consult a doctor before starting using any contraceptive, as the success of the contraception methods depends on their suitability for the women and using them correctly.
• A woman must visit her doctor on the first day of her menstruation or postpartum period.
• As a married couple, it is preferable to visit the doctor to determine the best method of contraception together and to refute any mistaken ideas.
• For a newly married woman, the doctor should give her a contraceptive during the last menstruation cycle right before marriage.

She also should do a hormone blood analysis the next day or the day after to check her health condition and decide on a suitable contraceptive, whether combined hormone pills, (progestin-only) pills, o a transdermal patch.

Sometimes she uses certain types of loops.

The choice of the contraceptive method is individual-based and it depends on the result of the women’s examinations.

The correct choice of methods prevents the occurrence of any future problems. It is preferable not to use contraceptives for a long duration.

All contraceptive methods are available to women who have already given birth, whether natural or Caesarean section.

• We can divide contraceptives into two categories:
• Long-term contraceptives: they are given once and work for a long time, for example, all types of loops and implants.
• Short-term contraceptives: they are used daily, weekly, annually, or when they are needed for combined or mono-hormonal pills, patches, rings, injections, and natural contraceptives.
• All types of loops (IUDs): copper, silver, gold, or hormonal loops work in the same way locally on the uterus, making it physiologically unsuitable for pregnancy.
• IUDs do not affect ovulation, body hormones, psychological state, or some medical conditions, like diabetes, hypertension, or blood clots.
• The doctor examines the female patient to assure that she does not have inflammations that might hinder using loops.
• Each woman uses a specific loop type according to her menstruation and cervix state.
• The doctor inserts the loop easily without anesthesia in the clinic at the end of the menstruation, and it starts to work immediately.
• The protection duration of the loop is between 5 and 10 years, according to its type with a 97% success rate.
• The woman can get pregnant once she gets rid of the loop, as the protection does not last after IUD removal.
• After a month, the woman should see the doctor and check the loop placement, then this can be done once a year.
• IUDs have no adverse effect, yet they might increase the blood amount of menstruation which can be controlled by a suitable medication.
• Loops are suitable for lactating mothers.
• The hormonal loop is used as a treatment for unexplained vaginal bleeding.
• The implant has become popular in the kingdom with a 99% success rate, and it is one of the most effective contraceptives, though it has low concentrations of hormones.
• The implant contains a low concentration of progesterone hormone and prevents pregnancy for three years.
• An implant is suitable for most women and lactating mothers as it does not affect the psychological state or health issues like hypertension, obesity, diabetes, or blood clots. That is why an implant is safe.
• An implant changes the inner lining of the uterus, making it unsuitable for pregnancy, and it does not affect ovaries or other body hormones.
• The woman can use the implant at any time, preferably at the beginning of the menstruation cycle.
• Healthcare providers place it under the skin on the inner side of the upper arm using a local anesthetic and cover it with a bandage. This is done without any surgical intervention or stitches right after the sterilization process.
• It is invisible and does not need further supervision.
• It starts to work immediately.
• Like any other contraceptive, the implant might interrupt the menstruation cycle and delay it without being stored in the uterus. This disorder is mainly because of a missing menstruation cycle or a small amount of blood.
• Women with implants, in some cases, might face menstrual disorders or heavy bleeding, curable with treatment.
• The doctor can easily remove or replace an implant with a new one using local anesthesia when it expires or according to the patient's decision.
• The implant is one of the most modern, effective, and successful contraceptives, so it is suitable for most women and does not cause any medical issues.

To complement the available contraceptive methods:

• There are combined hormonal pills, and the manufacturers developed them to reduce their side effects, such as spotting, mood changes, or obesity. However, they have many disadvantages, the riskiest ones are hypertension and clotting. Yet, the success rate is approximately 98%.
• Combined oral pills are effective in regulating menstrual disorders.
• The correct use of pills is at the beginning of the menstrual cycle for three weeks, then a week off to regulate the menstruation.
• Women should consult a doctor before starting to use oral contraceptives.
• There are new oral pills that contain only progesterone hormone. They do not elevate blood pressure or cause blood clots or mood swings, yet, they are as effective as combined pills.
• They have only one side effect on the first use. They might interrupt the menstrual cycle or cause spots, but this improves with time.
• They are preferable for lactating mothers and others.
• There are also transdermal patches a woman can use on the first day of her menstrual cycle and change it every week for three weeks, then she takes a week off.
• Transdermal patches are easy to use and contain combined hormones.
• Besides, there is a contraceptive injection that lasts for three months. It contains only one hormone. It causes menopause or menstrual disorders.
• The contraceptive injection is the only contraceptive that hinders pregnancy up to a year or more after stopping it. It is not suitable for diabetic patients, women with a family history of breast cancer, newlyweds, or who have only one child.
• Contraceptive ring: a hormonal contraceptive works locally on the cervix. It does not affect blood pressure or psychological state or cause blood clots.
• There are non-hormonal contraceptives that do not require medical supervision, including condoms, safe periods, and natural family planning.
• However, the failure rate of the non-hormonal contraceptive is high. If a woman wants to get the most out of it, she should consult a doctor.
• They may cause pelvic pain and sensitivity.
• Last, I advise every woman to consult her doctor about her suitable contraceptive method, how to use it, and how to avoid its side effects, as each woman can use an appropriate contraceptive method that differs from others.