Contraception

The newest FDA-approved treatment for weight management and type 2 diabetes.

Includes tirzepatide, a medication that acts on two important hormones: GLP-1 and GIP.

This dual-action approach helps suppress appetite while also supporting better blood sugar regulation.

Intended to deliver improved results when used alongside lifestyle modifications.

Approved for weight management in adults who are overweight or obese.

Contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist medication.

Works by mimicking a natural hormone that influences the brain’s appetite regulation centers.

Supports reduced hunger and calorie consumption to encourage long-term weight loss.

Although oral and injectable weight loss medications can contain the same active ingredient (like semaglutide), their chemical formulations are specifically tailored to their method of delivery. Injectable medications are administered directly into the bloodstream, while oral medications must withstand the digestive process, resulting in different designs to maintain their effectiveness.

Key distinctions include:

• Injectables bypass the digestive tract, allowing for more efficient absorption; oral medications often require absorption enhancers.
• Oral tablets are formulated with protective coatings and carriers to withstand stomach acid.
• Injectables are often chemically more stable, especially for peptide-based drugs.
• Injectables generally allow for higher drug levels in the blood.
• Oral tablets contain more excipients (binders, coatings, etc.) than injectables.

Oral weight loss medications can be effective, but they don’t always function identically to injectable treatments. Even when containing the same active ingredient, oral medications are absorbed differently, which can slightly impact how much of the drug is available to work in the body.

That said, for many individuals, oral options offer a convenient and clinically effective alternative.

Key points:

• Oral medications may deliver lower drug levels into the bloodstream compared to injectables.
• Higher oral doses are often used to make up for reduced absorption.
• Clinical trials show that oral semaglutide (like Rybelsus) can produce weight loss comparable to injections in some individuals.
• For those who prefer to avoid injections, oral treatments provide an effective option when taken as directed and consistently.

Various methods of contraception are available, offering individuals a range of options to suit their preferences and needs:
Barrier Methods: These methods create a physical barrier between sperm and egg, preventing fertilization. Examples include condoms (male and female) and diaphragms.
Hormonal Methods: Hormonal contraceptives alter hormone levels to prevent ovulation and thin the uterine lining, making it harder for a fertilized egg to attach. These include oral contraceptives (the pill), contraceptive patches, hormonal injections, and hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs).
Intrauterine Devices (IUDs): IUDs are small, T-shaped devices inserted into the uterus. Hormonal and non-hormonal IUDs provide long-lasting contraception.
Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs): LARCs include hormonal IUDs and contraceptive implants. These methods provide effective contraception for an extended period, reducing the need for daily or frequent use.
Emergency Contraception: Also known as the "morning-after pill," emergency contraception can be taken after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy.
Natural Methods: Natural family planning methods involve tracking menstrual cycles and avoiding intercourse during fertile periods.
Sterilization: Permanent contraception options include tubal ligation (for women) and vasectomy (for men).

Contraception is suitable for individuals of reproductive age who want to prevent unintended pregnancies. It is not limited to preventing pregnancy; some methods, like hormonal contraceptives, can also provide non-contraceptive benefits, such as regulating menstrual cycles and reducing symptoms of conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Individuals with certain medical conditions or contraindications should consult a healthcare provider before choosing a contraceptive method.

The "treatments" section typically discusses options for addressing a medical condition. However, contraception is not a medical condition to be treated; it is a method for preventing pregnancy. Therefore, the treatments section can focus on options for managing side effects or choosing a suitable contraceptive method in case of challenges.

Contraception holds significant importance for individuals, relationships, and society as a whole:
Empowerment: Contraception empowers individuals to plan their families, pursue education, careers, and personal goals, and make reproductive choices that align with their circumstances.
Health and Well-being: Access to contraception supports reproductive health by preventing unintended pregnancies, reducing the risk of maternal and infant health complications, and enabling healthier spacing between pregnancies.
Relationships: Contraception facilitates open discussions between partners about family planning, leading to stronger and more supportive relationships.
Societal Impact: Widespread use of contraception contributes to population stabilization, which in turn has positive effects on resources, environment, and economic development.
Choice and Control: Contraception enables individuals to choose the timing and number of children they want, ensuring that parenthood is a well-informed decision.
Contraception holds significant importance for individuals, relationships, and society as a whole:
Empowerment: Contraception empowers individuals to plan their families, pursue education, careers, and personal goals, and make reproductive choices that align with their circumstances.
Health and Well-being: Access to contraception supports reproductive health by preventing unintended pregnancies, reducing the risk of maternal and infant health complications, and enabling healthier spacing between pregnancies.
Relationships: Contraception facilitates open discussions between partners about family planning, leading to stronger and more supportive relationships.
Societal Impact: Widespread use of contraception contributes to population stabilization, which in turn has positive effects on resources, environment, and economic development.
Choice and Control: Contraception enables individuals to choose the timing and number of children they want, ensuring that parenthood is a well-informed decision.

Read more about Contraception on the NHS website, following the link below:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/