The present dictates its own rules, sets its own pace of life, and in the midst of our daily routines, we sometimes forget what truly matters. When we try to pause and reflect, it can often be too late… The most important aspect of every person’s life is health, and for women, reproductive health is equally crucial. Unprotected sexual encounters and transient partners in youth can lead to numerous problems over time, including infertility. Therefore, today’s youth must be aware of sexual health culture, protection methods, and personal responsibility. For a detailed discussion on contraception and more, read the conversation with Tatiana Tatarchuk, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, and Deputy Director of the Institute of Pediatrics, Obstetrics, and Gynecology at the Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine.
Can you explain contraception in simple terms for young people?
In short, contraception is the prevention of pregnancy. More simply put, it involves using various methods to avoid conception. Literally translated, the word “contraception” means “against fertilization.”
Looking at it from another angle, contraception is one of the most effective ways to prevent abortions. In real life, when a young woman is unprepared for pregnancy, not mentally ready for a child, she may resort to the serious procedure of abortion. This can lead to both psychological trauma and physical consequences. Thus, contraception is a method that allows young women not only to prevent unwanted pregnancies but also to make conscious choices about when to have children, at what age, and in what circumstances.
Is contraception really a method of prevention that only modern society uses?
In contemporary society, women are on equal footing with men in social and professional spheres. They seek education, aspire to build careers, and want to complete their projects (like a dissertation or a work project), and an unplanned pregnancy can disrupt those plans. Therefore, it’s clear that women need to choose specific contraception methods to prevent pregnancy.
What contraceptives are suitable for young girls who have not yet given birth, have irregular periods, and no steady partners?
For a young person without a steady partner, barrier methods (like condoms) are the only suitable option for contraception, as they not only prevent unwanted pregnancies but also protect against sexually transmitted infections. For young girls, it’s important to note that a normal hormonal balance in women develops by the age of 22, meaning that during this period, they establish adequate local immunity. The body is well-designed, with systems in place to protect against infections (if a woman encounters an infected person, she is less likely to get sick if her local immunity is strong). Therefore, a complete two-phase cycle that ensures normal local immunity develops in women before the age of 22. The ancient Romans believed that a girl who remains untouched until 22 is under the protection of the goddess Venus. Today, there is a wealth of scientific evidence supporting this age-old belief.
It’s no secret that young people engage in sexual activity at an early age, but the risks extend beyond unwanted pregnancies to include various infections. For instance, the human papillomavirus (HPV) can lead to cervical cancer if a girl begins sexual activity at 15 and reaches 25 without proper protection. Other infections can lead to serious inflammatory processes, such as chlamydia and ureaplasma infections, which are among the causes of early uterine fibroids and endometriosis.
Thus, I emphasize that barrier methods of contraception should be the priority for young people. If there is a steady partner and the couple has undergone medical examinations, they can consider other protection methods. Currently, hormonal contraceptives are the most studied, allowing specialists to objectively select the right option for each age group. Numerous studies have examined how different contraceptives can affect a woman’s body, including her vascular and nervous systems, and liver. Therefore, after clinically assessing a woman, a doctor can recommend the most suitable contraceptive for her.
Does this mean that hormonal methods of protection should not be chosen independently?
Initially, consultation is necessary. After that, a woman can visit her doctor at least once a year. But first, she should simply consult a specialist to determine the best choice.
Is there a 100% method of preventing unplanned pregnancies?
Modern contraceptives offer 99.9% protection, but only with proper use.
How can we spread accurate information about contraception among young people?
We all know that smoking is harmful, yet we smoke; we know alcohol is bad, yet we drink. Premarital sexual relationships are a sign of our times, and they don’t always lead to pregnancy. Therefore, we must view contraception as one of the safe solutions to current circumstances. However, attitudes toward hormonal contraceptives are mixed. This is why we emphasize the need for consultation; indeed, through trial and error, one might choose the wrong medication, incorrect dosage, or improper regimen. We have many doctors who can provide sound advice, but young people don’t always seek them out. I believe public opinion is not yet ready for this. Conversations and interviews like this aim to convey accurate information to the youth. If a girl begins her sexual life and does not plan for pregnancy but has one partner and wants to choose a hormonal contraceptive, she can do so, but she must see a doctor. Additionally, she should ensure that her partner is healthy. Young men often avoid medical check-ups, and this raises issues of integrity and responsibility. Notably, problems with male sexually transmitted infections at a young age can lead to prostatitis, potency issues, and infertility in adulthood. Today, male infertility is on par with female infertility and is even becoming more prevalent. A man’s hormonal balance and immunity are fully developed by the age of 25, so both women and men must be aware of infections and take precautions. There should be a culture of sexual health, just as there is a culture of hygiene.
What are the contraindications for using contraceptives?
There are no contraindications for barrier contraceptives. Intrauterine contraception is not suitable for young people, while hormonal methods are contraindicated for those with liver diseases or varicose veins, and smokers should exercise caution. Generally, contraindications for hormonal methods are more relevant for older individuals, while for young people, the key factor is having a steady partner. If there isn’t one, only barrier methods are appropriate.
Interestingly, when it comes to hormonal contraception, it should only be used when necessary. Sometimes, girls use it to treat acne, even without a steady partner, hoping to improve their skin! In such cases, it’s essential to identify the underlying cause of acne by consulting the appropriate specialist.
Is the natural method of contraception suitable for young people?
This method is very effective, but it requires a woman to have a regular cycle, a single partner, and a responsible attitude. Not every girl in today’s fast-paced life pays close attention to changes in her body; with busy schedules, work, and parties, she might forget to track her cycle. However, the natural method of contraception is indeed safe and cost-effective.
Who should bear more responsibility in a relationship, the guy or the girl?
The Bible states: Isaac begot Jacob, Jacob begot Abraham, and so on. Women are not mentioned, implying that men are responsible for procreation, and thus they bear greater responsibility. This is my personal view, perhaps because I am a mother of two sons. Although the primary burden of responsibility ultimately falls on women, I believe that men should carry a greater moral and ethical responsibility. We need to instill in boys a conscious respect for women, not just as mothers of their future children, as relationships may not always work out, and she may bear children for someone else! Therefore, they should treat women as they would their own mothers. Would anyone harm their mother? That’s the perspective from which I raised my children.
Of course, girls and women must also take care of their health and think about the future. Today, in educated, intellectual circles, it’s becoming fashionable to consider not just intimate relationships but, above all, feelings. Many girls maintain their virginity for a long time, take pride in it, and young men respect their choices. This is good and right.
From a scientific standpoint, there are three phases in the development of relationships between men and women: platonic libido, where young people watch movies, read books, and explore the city together, which is often sufficient. Next comes erotic libido, where they want to hold hands, cuddle, and embrace. Only then do we talk about sexual libido. When a person experiences all three stages, they develop a proper understanding of intimate relationships. If a couple encounters issues in their intimate life, it doesn’t escalate into a tragedy; the woman doesn’t seek another man, and the man doesn’t seek another woman. Their problems are confined to the sexual sphere, while the other two aspects of their relationship remain intact! However, if a 15-year-old girl’s first encounter immediately leads to sex, she may not understand what a real relationship is in adulthood, having skipped the previous two phases. She hasn’t read the stories of Romeo and Juliet or Onegin and Tatiana in her youth, and when she reads them as an adult, she does so with different emotions, having already seen the ending! Therefore, we want to restore the beauty of relationships to prevent unwanted pregnancies and infections.
So, do you believe there is an aspect of under-education among modern youth?
Absolutely! Men complain about women, and women complain about men. “Where can I find a decent woman today?” is a common lament among many men. But she is right in front of you: love her as she is and help her become a goddess. A girl shouldn’t wait for a prince on a white horse to come and lay the world at her feet; she must understand that a person is just that—a person, with their own joys and sorrows, sensitivities. This awareness should be nurtured from childhood. At least, that’s how I see it, as my family is my top priority. The greatest compliment I’ve received in my life came from my sons: “Mom, you’re such a great mom!”
What advice would you give to girls as future mothers to maintain reproductive health?
They say a true woman should eat like a bird, behave like a mouse, and be calm like a lion. There’s some truth to this, as proper psychological hygiene is essential; it’s best to avoid stress reactions. However, a wise approach to life, communication with young people, and self-perception in this world are crucial. Of course, a healthy and balanced lifestyle, along with proper nutrition, is vital. Young people want to “let loose” at nightclubs, which is normal, but they shouldn’t overexert themselves. It’s important to maximize positive emotions. Body weight is also significant: being overweight is bad, being underweight is bad, and constant fluctuations are not ideal either, as they can harm the hormonal system, especially when it is still developing.
Preventing sexually transmitted infections is also crucial for reproductive health, as nothing happens “just like that.” The components of a healthy lifestyle are not extensive, and if we adhere to them, we can achieve a healthy nation.