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Birth Control
Birth control, often referred to as contraception, is a significant aspect of reproductive health and family planning. It allows individuals and couples to make informed choices about when, or if, they want to have children. Today, there are a variety of birth control methods available, each with its own benefits and considerations. Whether you are just starting to explore your options or looking for a change, it's essential to find the right method that suits your health, lifestyle, and goals.
**1. The Importance of Birth Control**
Birth control is an essential tool in helping people plan their families and manage their reproductive health. By controlling fertility, individuals can delay or prevent pregnancy until they are ready for parenthood. This control can lead to better outcomes for both parents and children, as it allows for preparation and stability in various aspects of life, including finances, career, and relationships.
Moreover, birth control offers numerous health benefits beyond preventing pregnancy. Certain methods can help regulate menstrual cycles, ease period-related discomfort, and even reduce the risk of some health conditions like ovarian cysts and endometrial cancer.
**2. Birth Control Methods**
There are various methods of birth control available, each with its own set of advantages and potential drawbacks. Here are some of the most common types of contraception:
- **Barrier Methods:** Barrier methods like condoms and diaphragms work by physically blocking sperm from reaching the egg. Condoms offer the added benefit of protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), making them a popular choice for many.
- **Hormonal Methods:** Hormonal birth control methods, such as birth control pills, patches, injections, and vaginal rings, regulate hormones to prevent ovulation and thicken cervical mucus to impede sperm movement. These methods are known for their effectiveness and convenience.
- **Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs):** LARCs, including intrauterine devices (IUDs) and contraceptive implants, provide long-term birth control without the need for daily maintenance. They are highly effective and can last for several years.
- **Natural Methods:** Natural family planning, or fertility awareness-based methods, involve tracking ovulation and avoiding intercourse during fertile periods. While these methods require careful monitoring, they can be effective when used correctly.
- **Permanent Methods:** For individuals who have decided not to have children in the future, permanent methods such as tubal ligation for women and vasectomy for men offer a permanent solution to contraception.
**3. Choosing the Right Birth Control**
Selecting the right birth control method can be a personal decision based on individual ci
2. Birth Control
Birth control is the use of any practices, methods
or device to prevent pregnancy from occuring in a
sexually active woman.Also reffered to as family
planning,pregnancy prevention,fertility control, or
contrception; birth control methods are designed
either to prevent fertilization of an egg or
implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterus.
4. Oral medication
The pill- combinations of estrogen and progestin (synthetic
progesterone-like hormone).Estrogen doses range from 0-150
micrograms;progestin from 0.35-10 milligrams.
How it works-
Suppresses ovulation by acting on pituitary gland. Conception not possible if no
egg matures.
If doses is inadequate or pill is not taken as directed, ovulation may occur.
5. More than effective.
Easy to use.
Dissociated from sex act.
Bleeding cycles are predictable.
Nausea, breast tenderness, weight gain.
Thrombus formation, pulmonary
embolus,thrombophlebitis,hypertension.
Should not be used if woman has hypertension,sickle cell
deases,diabetes,migraine headaches.
Above
99%
99%
6. Progestin only(norethindrone or norgestrel daily)
How it works-
Antifertility effect.
Makes cevical mucus impervious to sperm and / or alters
endometrium, interfering with implantation.
Ovulation occurs sporadically.
0.35mg
Mini-pill
7. Advantages-
Reduces side effects with other oral preparations.
Disadvantages and side effects-
Bleeding irregularly and spotting are common.
Less effective than combination pills.
Effectiveness-
97-98%
8. Intrauterine device(IUD)
The following are made of flexible molded plastic:
. (which release
minute amounts of copper which has an antifertility
effect).Progestasert(which releases progestin in to the
uterus).
Lipper's Loop, Safe-T-Coil, Cu-7
9. Advantages-
No interference with hormonal regulation of menstrual cycle.
No need to remember to take a pill each day or engage in other manipulation
prior to coitus.
May be removed by physian when pregnancy desired
How it woks-
Interferes with fertilization.
Alters rate of egg passage through the fellopian tube. Or
Discourages implantation by altering endometrium.
10. Disadvantages and side effects-
Expulsion may go unnoticed.
Hazards- uterine perforation with intra- abdominal trauma and /
or intra uterine and fallopian infection.
Side effects-
Heavy flow, spotting between periods and crumping, especially
during early month of use.
women fitted each year have to abandon use; expulsion rate
, rate of medical removal because of complications
Ectopic pregnancy might still occur,especially with ‘bio-
active”IUDs.
Effectiveness-
effective during first year.
User must check for presence of IUD after each menstrual cycle.
25%
3-15% 5-20%
97-98%
11. Mechanical barriers-
*Diaphragm-
Rubber device that fits over cervix; should be used with
spermicide.
How it works-
*Barrier prevents sperm from entering cervix if it is
correct size and correctly placed; re fitted for size after
each baby, weight gain or loss and over every two years.
*Diaphragm holds spermicide in place over cervix.
12. Advantages-
*Safety- no side effects.
*May be inserted several hours before intercourse and is
left in place at least 6-8 hours afterwards.
Disadvantages and side effects-
*Some women find insertion and removal objectionable.
*Required washing with warm water and soap ; careful
drying, storage away from haet,and checking for tears.
Effectiveness-
*Effectiveness usually given as or more if
spermicide is used,consistently and extra spermicide
added before coitus.
75-90%
13. Condom-
Thin strechable rubber sheath to cover the penis.
How it works-
*Barrier prevents sperm from entering the vagina.
*Is applied over the erect pennis.
14. Advantages-
*Safety- no side effects.
*Protective measure against venereal disease.
*No prescription needed.
Disadvantages and side effects-
*Some couples object to taking time to apply sheath on
erect penis.
*Pre-ejaculatory drpos also contain sperm; conception
possible even if drops fall around external vaginal
opening.
*Some users feel decreases sensation.
Effectiveness-
*Effectiveness usually given as but can be up to
if carefully used.
80-85%
97%
15. Chemical barriers-
*Spermicide (e.g. )-
Foam, jelly,cream,vajinal suppository.
How it works-
*Kills sperm.
*Decrease sperm motility.
*Sperm cannot pass through chemical barrier.
Nonoxynol 9
16. Advantages-
*Safety- no systemic side effects.
*Increases effectiveness of mechanical barriers.
*Easy to use.
*Aids lubrication of vagina.
*No prescription is needed.
Disadvantages and side effects-
*Described as “messy” by some.
*Each coitus should be preceded by a fresh application.
*Some products irritate user and partner.
Effectiveness-
*Actual effectiveness may be only when used without
diaphragm or condom.
70-80%
17. Rhythm methods(fertility awareness)-
*Temperature method-
Rectal or oral temperature taken with basal thermometer each
morning before any physical activity.
How it works-
*Body temperature varies with stage in ovulatory cycle.
*Conception is avoided by sexual abstinence during woman’s fertile
period;no sperm may be present while egg is present.
18. Advantages-
*Physically safe to use-no drugs and appliances are used.
*Meets requirements of some religions.
Disadvantages and side effects-
*Effectiveness depends on the following:
High level of motivation and high diligence,daily temperature
taking and record keeping duration childbearing years and
willingness to abstain.
*Requires fairly predictable menstrual cycle.
*Irregular cycles require long periods of abstinence.
*Ovulation may occur at atypical times.
Effectiveness-
*
*Temperature varies with tension,infection,lack of sleep or any
prior activity.
*Effectiveness may be increase by checking cervical mucus
.
60-80%
19. Mucus method-
Sample of cervical mucus is examined each day for viscosity and
color.
How it works-
*Identifies fertile period by recognizing changes in cervical
mucus.
*Sexual abstinence during fertile period.
20. Advantages-
*Physically safe.
*Acceptable to certain religions.
Disadvantages and side effects-
*Requires couple to recognize cervical changes and engage in the
manipulation necessary to sample mucus.
Effectiveness-
* effectiveness claimed for highly motivated couples.
95%
21. Sterilization
Vasectomy- the cutting of the vas deferens the tubes that usually
carry sperm from the testicles in to the urethra for ejaculation.
cutting
22. Disadvantage-
The man usually experiences some pain, swelling, and
discoloration for about a week. More serious complications,
including formation of blood clot in the scrotum.
Effectiveness- 99.8%
23.
24. Injection
• Safe
• Hormone injection given every 2 months
(NET-EN) or 3 months (DMPA)
• Very effective when injections are on time
• Use can be kept private
25. What it is
– Hormone injection.
– Prevents release of egg.
How to use
– Get an injection every 2 months (NET-EN) or 3 months
(DMPA).
– If breastfeeding, can start 6 weeks after childbirth.
– Works best if you get your injections on time.
If late for an injection:
– DMPA: Can still get an injection up to 4 weeks late.
– NET-EN: Can still get an injection up to 2 weeks late.
If later, use condoms and return for an injection as soon as
possible.
Injection
26. What to expect
– Irregular bleeding at first, then spotting or no monthly bleeding.
This is common and safe.
– Possible slight weight change.
– After stopping injections, it can take several months to become
pregnant.
Key points
– Does not cause infertility.
– Be sure to get next injection on time.
– Use condoms if you need protection from STIs or HIV/AIDS.
Injection
27. Breastfeeding method
Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM)
• Safe with no side-effects
• Effective if:
- you are breastfeeding often, day and
night, and giving no other food or liquids
- your baby is less than 6 months old, and
- your monthly bleeding has not returned.
28. Breastfeeding method
(Lactational Amenorrhea Method)
What it is
– Breastfeeding in a way that prevents pregnancy.
– Prevents release of egg.
How to use:
– Breastfeed often, day and night (breastfeed fully or nearly
fully) and give no other food or liquids.
– If you breastfeed less, your monthly bleeding starts, or it is 6
months after you have had your baby,
the method will not work.
29.
30. Tubal ligation
In this process fallopian tube is tied and cut
to prevent carrying ovum to uterus. The
operation can be performed by a skilled
physician in
Cutting/blocking
10-30 min.
31.
32. Abortion method
Abortion is not a form of contraception but an alternative to
the delivery of an unwanted child. Abortion is too risky, too
expensive, and too complex a procedure.