In the list of innovative contraceptive methods, a note of merit goes to the modern contraceptive "Persona". It is a mini device - the structure of which resembles that of a small laptop - capable of revealing a woman's potentially fertile and infertile days by analyzing her hormonal levels.
Just like the traffic lights, the "Person" medical device indicates the "danger of pregnancy" with the red color - therefore the "stop" to unprotected sexual intercourse - and with the green color the "green light", that is the relative certainty to be able to make love without encountering unwanted conception.
Did you know that ...
Hormone levels are not constant throughout the entire duration of the menstrual cycle:
- Estrogen production is maximal near ovulation
- After ovulation, progesterone increases and estrogen decreases
Person should be considered a tool for planning and birth control rather than a proper contraceptive method: in fact, the couple can decide whether to avoid or consume a relationship in the so-called "red days" (in which the woman has a high chance of conceiving). In other words, the "man and woman who want children should prefer the" red days "to attempt a conception; vice versa, the couple who, at the moment, do not want them should refrain from unprotected sexual intercourse during the days indicated by the same. color.
Reliability
Using the device properly, following the instructions provided by the pharmacist, the doctor and on the label to the letter, the reliability of Persona (used as a contraceptive method) is 94%. In other words, it is estimated that 6 out of 100 women who use the Persona contraceptive method undergo an unwanted conception.
We remind you, however, that no contraceptive method - apart from complete sexual abstinence - guarantees a "contraceptive efficacy equal to 100%.
The reliability of the contraceptive method Persona can be compromised or altered if the woman has recently breast-fed or has recently given birth. "reliability of the method.
In the cases described above, the woman will have to wait at least two consecutive (natural) menstrual cycles lasting between 23 and 35 days before using the Persona contraceptive method (to be started, therefore, in the third cycle).
Composition
Each Persona pack contains:
- Interactive touch screen monitor with lid, which reveals the "green" (non-fertile) and "red" (judged fertile) days
- A series of sticks for the collection of urine
Operation and method of use
We have seen that Persona analyzes hormonal changes from a urine sample to identify the woman's potentially fertile and infertile days. To interpret the hormonal variations, the sticks simply have to be inserted into the appropriate slot in the Persona device.
But how and at what moment can we proceed with the urine analysis?
At the first use, the woman will have to collect a urine sample using special disposable sticks 16 times (on day 6 and from day 9 to day 23), in order to allow the monitor to learn the trend of the menstrual cycle, thus calculating adequate red days and green days.
Starting from the second month, it will be sufficient to repeat the urine test only 8 times (to be repeated during each menstrual cycle). It is the same device that signals when it is necessary to undergo the test: the yellow light that turns on in the monitor indicates the need to perform the urine test.
Attention
To maximize effectiveness, the urine sample should be collected early in the morning upon awakening.
Benefits
There are many women who use the Persona method to avoid a momentarily unwanted pregnancy for various reasons:
- Acting in harmony with the woman's body, the Persona method is free of side effects and does not require the administration of drugs
- It is easy to use
- It is indicated for women who do not consider pregnancy an unacceptable event
- It constitutes a valid contraceptive alternative to the classic pharmacological (hormonal) contraceptive methods
- Suitable for women who cannot tolerate the side effects derived from other contraceptive methods
- Indicated for stable relationships
- It is readily available in pharmacies or on the web and does not require a prescription
Disadvantages and contraindications
Like any contraceptive method, Persona also has some disadvantages. First of all, the instrument requires the "urine test" (at least) 8 times during each menstrual cycle, not always well appreciated by the woman; moreover, given the possibility of 6% failure of the method, the couple should ask themselves if a hypothetical pregnancy would or would not be an acceptable event.
It should not be forgotten, then, that Persona is not suitable for occasional and / or multiple intercourse because, just like hormonal and natural contraceptive methods, it does not protect in any way from sexually transmitted diseases.
Women who have a menstrual cycle that is too short (shorter than 23 days) or too long (over 35 days) should avoid using the Persona method because it would be unreliable.
How to calculate the duration of the menstrual cycle?
Just count the number of days between the FIRST DAY of your period and the last day BEFORE your next period.
Persona is not indicated for women who are taking hormonal therapies (e.g. taking the contraceptive pill), hormone replacement therapies (to control menopausal symptoms) or fertility treatments. The administration of some medicinal products may also interfere with the menstrual cycle by altering the serum (blood) concentration of hormones. Particular attention must be paid to the intake of antibiotics such as tetracyclines: in such situations, it is advisable to suspend the use of the Persona contraceptive method and possibly use other mechanical contraceptives (such as a male condom or a female condom). he / she wishes, he / she can resume the use of Persona at the end of the therapy with the tetracyclines.
Furthermore, the Persona contraceptive method is contraindicated in the presence of renal / hepatic insufficiency, polycystic ovary syndrome or symptoms of menopause (such as hot flashes).
We remind you once again that the reliability of the Persona contraceptive method is not equal to 100% (as it is true, moreover, for the other contraceptive methods): therefore, if a "pregnancy should constitute a serious problem, it is not recommended to use the Person method.
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