Diaphragms, cervical caps and vaults are examples of which type of contraceptive methods?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Barrier methods.
Diaphragms, cervical caps and vaults are made of rubber. They are inserted into the female reproductive tract to cover the cervix during coitus, so sperms cannot enter through the cervix. Anything that physically keeps the sperms and ovum apart is a barrier method.
Option (1) Barrier methods. — Correct. These three devices are barriers, like condoms. Unlike condoms, they are reusable.
Option (2) Surgical methods. — Incorrect. Surgical methods are vasectomy and tubectomy, in which the vas deferens or fallopian tube is cut or tied. No device is inserted.
Option (3) Intra-uterine devices. — Incorrect. IUDs such as Lippes loop, CuT and Progestasert are placed inside the uterus by doctors or expert nurses. They do not cover the cervix.
Option (4) Oral contraceptive methods. — Incorrect. Oral contraceptives are pills of progestogens or progestogen-estrogen combinations taken by mouth. They act through hormones, not as a physical barrier.
NCERT Extract:
Population Stabilisation and Birth Control – “… Diaphragms, cervical caps and vaults are also barriers made of rubber that are inserted into the female reproductive tract to cover the cervix during coitus. They prevent conception by blocking the entry of sperms through the cervix. They are reusable. Spermicidal creams, jellies and foams are usually used alongwith these barriers to increase their contraceptive efficiency.”