(5) Non-hormonal methods of preventing pregnancy

Barrier methods to stop the sperm ever meeting an egg, hence stop fertilisation of egg and therefore no pregnancy.

All such devices must be carefully fitted in place before sexual intercourse takes place.

(i) Condoms made of thin latex are worn over the penis during intercourse to stop sperm entering the vagina.

Female condoms are worn inside the vagina.

Note that male condoms is the best form of contraception that protect you against sexually transmitted diseases, not 100% effective, but many other contraception methods do not protect against STDs at all.

 

(ii) A diaphragm is a shallow flexible plastic cup or dome shaped device that fits over the opening of cervix making a barrier to the entrance to the uterus.

The diaphragm prevents sperm reaching an egg and it can be used in conjunction with a spermicide that kills sperm.

 

(iii) A femidom is female condom are made from soft, thin synthetic latex or latex.

The femidom is worn inside the vagina to prevent semen getting to the womb and must be put in place before sexual intercourse.
 

 

Killing the sperm

(i) It is possible to use a spermicide on its own as a contraceptive, but is only 70-80% effective, much less than the other contraception methods previously described.

(ii) Copper IUDs (intrauterine device) that kill sperm and prevent them surviving in the uterus, and so can never fertilise a released egg (non-hormonal method).

 

Sterilisation - requires a surgical procedure

This involves cutting or tying tubes in the reproductive system ...

(i) female (female sterilisation) - the fallopian tubes (oviducts) which connect the ovaries to the uterus, are cut, sealed or blocked by an operation so that eggs cannot be released into the uterus.

 

(ii) male (male vasectomy) - the sperm duct tube that connects the testes with the penis is cut, sealed or tied so that sperm cannot be mixed with semen and injected into the vagina in sexual intercourse.

 

These are surgical procedures with a permanent effect -there is only a very small chance of the tubes joining up again.

Successful surgery is nearly 100% effective, and very difficult to reverse.

 

'Natural' methods of family planning, unprotected sex and the menstrual cycle

This involves knowing when the woman is most fertile within the 28 day menstrual cycle.

Therefore the idea is to avoid sexual intercourse during these fertile periods.

At around 14 days when the egg is released (ovulation) there is a slight increase in temperature.

By estimating when ovulation might occur, by avoiding sexual intercourse at that time, you reduce the chance of fertilising an egg.

However, it is not very effective, because eggs and sperm can live for several days and a woman's cycle can be irregular, but it is used by people who think that barrier and hormonal methods are unnatural (or considered ethically wrong by some religious teachings).

 

The cervical mucus method is a way to identify fertile times to help you gauge the best days to have or avoid unprotected sex and require careful observation of mucus patterns in the menstrual cycle.

Before ovulation, cervical secretions change creating a situation that helps sperm travel through the cervix, uterus and fallopian tubes to the egg.

By recognizing changes in the cervical mucus, the woman can try to pinpoint when you're most likely to ovulate, hence most likely to conceive.

If the woman is hoping to get pregnant, she can use the cervical mucus method to determine the best days to have sex.

Conversely, if the woman wants to avoid pregnancy, the cervical mucus method can help predict which days to avoid having unprotected sex..

The man can also remove his penis before ejaculation to prevent sperm entering the uterus, but that requires a good deal of self control.

 

Abstinence period

No sexual intercourse at all, is the only truly 100% guaranteed pregnancy prevention!

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Key points about non-hormonal methods of contraception and their 'pros and cons'

Source of information is based on textbooks & syllabus-specifications for students taking the AQA GCSE, Edexcel GCSE and OCR GCSE level biology examinations (~US grades 9-10).

Non-Hormonal Methods of Contraception

These methods prevent pregnancy without using hormones.

They work by physically blocking fertilisation, disabling sperm, or preventing implantation.

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1. Barrier Methods

Condoms (Male & Female)

• Male condom: Worn over the penis.

• Female condom (femidom): Worn inside the vagina.

How they work: Prevent sperm from entering the uterus.

Advantages:

• Protect against STIs.

• Easily available and simple to use.

• No hormonal side effects.

Disadvantages:

• Can tear or slip.

• Must be used correctly every time.

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Diaphragm (Cervical Cap)

• Dome-shaped device inserted into the vagina to cover the cervix.

• Used with spermicidal gel.

How it works: Blocks sperm from reaching the egg.

Advantages:

• Reusable.

• No hormones involved.

Disadvantages:

• Must be fitted correctly.

• Less effective without spermicide.

• Doesn’t protect against STIs.

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2. Spermicides

• Chemicals that kill or disable sperm.

• Often used with diaphragms or condoms.

Advantages:

• Easy to use.

• Available without prescription.

Disadvantages:

• Not very effective when used alone.

• Can cause irritation or allergic reactions.

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3. Intrauterine Device (IUD) – Copper Coil

• Small T-shaped device inserted into the uterus.

• Made of copper, which is toxic to sperm and eggs.

How it works:

• Prevents fertilisation and implantation.

Advantages:

• Long-lasting (up to 10 years).

• Highly effective.

• No hormones.

Disadvantages:

• Must be fitted by a doctor.

• Can cause heavier periods.

• Small risk of infection or ectopic pregnancy.

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4. Natural Methods

Fertility Awareness (Rhythm Method)

• Avoiding intercourse during fertile days of the menstrual cycle.

Advantages:

• No side effects.

• Free and natural.

Disadvantages:

• Requires accurate tracking.

• Less reliable if not done carefully.

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5. Surgical Methods (Sterilisation)

Male: Vasectomy

• Sperm ducts are cut and sealed.

Female: Tubal Ligation

• Fallopian tubes are cut or blocked.

Advantages:

• Permanent and highly effective.

• No ongoing effort required.

Disadvantages:

• Irreversible in most cases.

• Requires surgery.

• No STI protection.

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Why This Is Important in Human Biology

• Reinforces understanding of fertilisation, implantation, and reproductive anatomy.

• Encourages informed decisions about reproductive health.

• Links biology to real-life applications like family planning and public health.

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Exam Tips

• Use key terms: barrier, spermicide, IUD, sterilisation, fertilisation, implantation.

• Be able to compare hormonal and non-hormonal methods.

• Evaluate advantages and disadvantages in different scenarios.

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Keywords, phrases and learning objectives for this part on non-hormone methods of contraception

Be able to describe non-hormonal ways of preventing pregnancy including a barrier method condom, diaphragm or femidom.

Be able to describe the use of sperm killers in contraception methods, sterilisation surgical procedures, as well as natural family planning and abstinence from sex.

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