How to reduce the impact of miscarriage on women’s health?

Women are the backbone of the family and the career, supporting the entire family and the entire society. Similarly, women's health has always been a very worthy issue, especially the additional risks caused by differences in physiological structure need to be paid more attention.

Today, let's talk about something that is easily overlooked, that is, the annual abortion rate in my country is also high. Therefore, paying attention to women's health starts with paying attention to unwanted pregnancies. Let's talk about how to reduce the problem of unwanted pregnancies caused by contraceptive failure.

01. Unwanted pregnancy issues

At a time when population issues are very prominent, one statistic may be hard to believe: in my country, nearly 9 million abortions occur every year[1]. This number is almost close to the number of newborns in my country in 2021[2].

Unwanted pregnancy is a very serious problem in reality and can also cause serious harm to women. For example, it may cause endocrine hormone disorders and multiple miscarriages leading to thinning of the uterine wall [3].

Therefore, before talking about eugenics, the first thing we need to pay attention to is women's health. It is also particularly important to reduce the problem of unwanted pregnancies caused by contraceptive failure.

02. What are the contraceptive measures?

When it comes to contraceptive failure, the first thing we think of is what contraceptive measures we can choose?

Common contraceptive methods include condoms, combined oral contraceptives, emergency contraceptive pills, subcutaneous implants, intrauterine devices and ejaculation outside the body.

For example, condoms mainly use a physical barrier method to keep semen inside the condom to prevent it from combining with the egg cell, and can also prevent various sexual diseases caused by contact between sexual organs. Of course, there are also some groups that are allergic to the material of condoms. [3]

The main principle of emergency contraceptive pills is to prevent or delay ovulation to achieve contraceptive effect. Emergency contraceptive pills are an emergency remedy after contraceptive failure or contraceptive failure, and they can protect against the first unprotected sexual intercourse in this cycle. [4]

Subcutaneous implants are implanted under the skin and slowly release progesterone to achieve long-term contraception. They are not operated in the uterine cavity and require medical technicians to implant them inside the upper arm. Implantation does not affect daily life and work; they are suitable for those who need long-term contraception. They do not contain estrogen and have no adverse reactions to estrogen. [5]

The principle of an intrauterine device is to achieve contraception by interfering with the implantation of the fertilized egg and changing the viscosity of cervical mucus[5]. It requires medical technicians to operate and place it in the uterine cavity, and is also suitable for long-term contraception needs. Like subcutaneous implants, it has the characteristic of being reversible.

Combined oral contraceptive pills are a combination of estrogen and progesterone, which work together to achieve the purpose of birth control by inhibiting ovulation, changing the properties of cervical mucus, changing the morphology and function of the endometrium, and changing the function of the fallopian tubes. [6] This method is simple and can be controlled by oneself, and can be discontinued at any time without affecting sexual life. [6]

However, it should be noted that combined oral contraceptives need to be taken on a long-term basis; missing a dose may affect the contraceptive effect. [6]

In the new fertility era, building a "fertility-friendly society" has become one of today's social themes. How to avoid female damage caused by unwanted pregnancy is very important for women. Strengthening contraception, healthier contraception, and reducing unwanted abortions are actually responsible for everyone's health. When choosing contraceptive measures in daily life, you should also pay more attention to science, believe in science, and take your own body seriously.

Finally, a special statement is needed: the various contraceptive methods and medical means mentioned above have their relevant contraindications, cautions or instructions for use. Please go to the hospital to seek professional medical guidance for medical treatment/medication.

This information is for reference only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, nor is it tailored to individual conditions and needs.

References:

1. China Health Statistics Yearbook

2. Statistical Communiqué of the People's Republic of China on the National Economic and Social Development in 2021, gov.cn/xinwen/2022-02/2

3. Huang Lijun, Zhang Lizi, Liang Yingyu, Li Yulian, Zeng Shanshan, Huang Minshan, Wang Zhijian, Wen Suiwen, Cao Yinli, Feng Ling, Zhao Xianlan, Zhao Yangyu, Zhu Qiying, Qi Hongbo, Zhang Lanzhen, Du Lili, Chen Dunjin. Effect of the number of artificial abortions on maternal and infant perinatal outcomes of subsequent pregnancy after cesarean section[J]. Advances in Modern Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2022, 31(01): 61-64.

4. Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines and Technical Operation Specifications for Family Planning [M]. Compiled by the Family Planning Branch of the Chinese Medical Association. People's Medical Publishing House, 2017.04

5. Cao Zeyi. Chinese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Edition, 2010(01).532

6. Chinese expert consensus on the clinical application of combined oral contraceptives[J]. Chinese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2015(2):81-91