In the list of innovative contraceptive methods, a note of merit belongs to the modern contraceptive "Persona". It is a mini device - whose structure resembles that of a small laptop - capable of revealing the woman's potentially fertile and infertile days by analyzing her hormone levels.
Just like the traffic light indications, the "Persona" medical device indicates with the color Red the "danger of pregnancy" - therefore the "stop" to the unprotected sexual relationship - and with the green color the "green light", or the relative certainty to be able to make love without encountering unwanted conceptions.
Did you know that ...
Hormonal levels are not constant during the entire duration of the menstrual cycle:
- Near ovulation the production of estrogens is maximum
- After ovulation, progesterone increases and estrogen decreases
More than a contraceptive method proper, Persona should be considered a tool for planning and birth control: 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 "red days" to attempt 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
By using the appliance appropriately, following the instructions given by the pharmacist and doctor on the label, 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 experience unwanted conception.
Remember, however, that no contraceptive method - outside of complete sexual abstinence - ensures 100% contraceptive efficacy.
The reliability of the Persona contraceptive method can be compromised or altered if the woman has recently breastfed or has recently given birth. Similarly, even a possible non-successful pregnancy and the concomitant intake of some pharmacological specialties could alter the reliability of the method.
In the cases just described, the woman will have to wait for at least two consecutive menstrual periods (natural) lasting between 23 and 35 days before using the Persona contraceptive method (to start, therefore, on the third cycle).
Composition
Each pack of Person contains:
- Interactive touch screen monitor with lid, which reveals the "green" (non-fertile) and "red" days (judged to be fertile)
- A series of urine collection sticks
Operation and usage
We have seen that Persona analyzes the hormonal changes starting from a urine sample to identify the woman's potentially fertile and infertile days. To interpret the hormonal variations, the sticks must simply be inserted into the appropriate slot in the Persona appliance.
But how and when can urine analysis be carried out?
On first use, the woman must 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 progress of the menstrual cycle, thus calculating in a way 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 indicates when it is necessary to undergo the test: the yellow light that lights up in the monitor indicates the need to perform the urine test.
Caution
To take full advantage of the effectiveness, the urine sample must be collected during the early hours of the morning, upon awakening.
Advantages
There are many women who use the Persona method to avoid a momentarily unwanted pregnancy for several reasons:
- Acting in harmony with the woman's body, the Persona method has no 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 do not tolerate the side effects derived from other contraceptive methods
- Suitable for stable relationships
- It is readily available in the pharmacy 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 whether a hypothetical pregnancy would constitute an acceptable event or not.
Not to forget, then, that Persona is not suitable for occasional and / or multiple relationships because, just like the hormonal and natural contraceptive methods, it does not protect in any way from sexually transmitted diseases.
Women who have a too short menstrual cycle (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?
It is sufficient to count the number of days between the FIRST DAY of menstruation and the last day BEFORE the next menstruation.
Persona is not indicated for women who are following hormonal therapies (eg taking the contraceptive pill), hormone replacement therapies (for the control of menopausal symptoms) or, again, fertility treatments. Even the administration of some medicinal products could interfere with the menstrual cycle, altering the serum concentration (in the blood) of the hormones. Particular attention must be paid to the intake of antibiotics such as tetracyclines: in similar situations, it is advisable to suspend the use of the Persona contraceptive method and to make use of other mechanical contraceptives (such as the male condom or the female condom). Those who wish can resume the use of Person at the end of tetracycline therapy.
Again, the Persona contraceptive method is contraindicated in the presence of renal / hepatic failure, polycystic ovary syndrome or menopausal symptoms (such as hot flushes).
Let us once again remember that the reliability of the Persona contraceptive method is not 100% (as is true, for that matter, for the other contraceptive methods): therefore, if a possible pregnancy should constitute a serious problem, we do not recommend using the Person method.
