Different Methods of Family Planning

Natural Family Planning Methods

Abstinence: One of the most effective ways of natural family planning

is abstinence. Couples who do not want to have a baby and want to avoid taking
artificial contraceptives, should keep away from sexual intercourse during the
fertile days of the woman. For this method to work out, the women should keep
track of their menstrual cycles to know the timing of theirovulation and the period
during when there is high risk of getting pregnant. 

Withdrawal: Withdrawal is another method of natural pregnancy prevention. In

this method, the man withdraws his penis from the vagina before ejaculation
while having sex. However, this is not a full proof method of birth control, as the
fluid which is secreted before ejaculation also contains sperms and are sufficient
to fertilize an ovum.

Natural family planning is normally chosen by people owing to certain religious

reasons or because they are not able to take contraceptives due to health
reasons. The best thing about natural methods of avoiding pregnancy is that they
do not have any negative effects; however, to follow this method couples have to
be determined and disciplined.

Artificial Family Planning Methods

Condoms: Condoms are the most commonly used male contraceptive to

escape pregnancy. Using condoms during sexual intercourse acts like a barrier for
sperms to enter the vagina, thus restricting their contact with the egg. In recent
times, even female condoms are available in the market. Along with birth control,
a condom also helps in the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. There have
been cases where condoms have failed to avoid pregnancy, but this is mostly
due to defective condoms or incorrect use of the condom.

Birth Control and Emergency Pills: Another method of artificial family planning
is the use of birth control pills by women. Birth control pills also known as oral
contraceptives, stop the development of the egg and also helps in the thickening
of the cervical mucus in the uterus, thus restricting the passage of the sperms to
the egg. This can be an effective method if the pills are taken regularly and in the
correct manner. If contraceptives do not work out, another way of precluding
pregnancy is to take emergency contraceptive pills. If a couple has indulged in
unsafe sex, the woman can take emergency pills to reduce the chances of
getting pregnant.
Intrauterine device (IUD): The IUD or Copper T as it is commonly known is a
very convenient, safe and reversible method of family planning which does not
require a daily routine. It is a small device made of metal, copper or plastic that is
inserted into the uterus of a woman of reproductive age, for as long as she does
not want a pregnancy. Normally once it is inserted, it stays in place for 5 to 10
years and inhibits the entry of sperms into the inner recesses of the vagina and
also prevents fertilization. It is the most popular and widely used female
contraceptive method . The IUD should be inserted and removed (when
pregnancy is desired) by a qualified medical practitioner, to avoid complications.

Sterilization: refers to permanent contraception by surgical procedures, to avoid

future pregnancies. It is a method of birth control suited for couples who do not
want to have any more children or couples who don't want to have even a single
child. Vasectomy is the procedure for men and tubectomy or tubal ligation for
women. It is by far the safest and most effective method of pregnancy control,
though irreversible. Sterilizing is done permanently and is a full proof method.

Artificial family planning methods, like IUDs or contraceptives to postpone or

avoid a pregnancy are effective, if used in the correct manner. However, these
methods can cause certain side effects, especially oral contraceptives. Women
who take birth control pills may experience nausea, weight gain, vomiting,
ectopic pregnancy, etc. Regular use of contraceptive pills may also make
conception difficult, if couples want to have a baby later. Sometimes over use of
birth control pills can lead to infertility in women. One of the problems with
condoms is that they are made of latex and people who have latex allergy are not
able to use them. 

Any method of family planning, be it natural or artificial, does not affect the sex
life of the couple. However, no method is full proof and there have been rare
cases where women have become pregnant even after using contraception. So,
the best way would be consult one's gynecologist for the appropriate family
planning method to stay away from a pregnancy that is undesirable.

Different Family Planning

Methods
By Samantha Hanly, eHow Contributor
 updated: August 25, 2010

Family planning.

There are many options for family planning out there, and it is confusing to

sort through all of them. Each one has different effectiveness ratings, but
some are more comfortable (for some people) than others. Reading
through a simple breakdown of all of the family planning methods available
will help you weed out the ones you are not interested in, so you can go
about researching just the ones that are of interest to you.
Natural
1. Natural family planning is also called the rhythm method. It involves
tracking the woman's ovulation and avoiding sex when she is fertile.
Natural family planning has a success rate ranging from 78 to 88 percent.
Barrier
2. Barrier methods include the condom, which is placed over the man's
penis, and the diaphragm, which the woman inserts in her vagina. The
diaphragm covers the entrance to the uterus, thereby blocking the sperm's
access. The cervical cap does the same thing, but can be left in longer.
The condom holds the sperm inside it. In general, barrier methods have an
effectiveness rating of 71 percent to 85 percent, but using a spermicide
along with a barrier increases its effectiveness.
Oral/Topical
3. Some women take pills or wear a patch to control their hormones. If
used correctly, these drugs prevent pregnancy. If the woman wants to
become pregnant, she can simply stop taking the pill or remove the patch.
The effectiveness of these methods is rated at 92 percent.
 Injection
4. Depo-Provera is an injection given to women as birth control. Women
must get the shot four times per year, and it has an effectiveness rating of
97 percent to 99 percent.
Internal
5. IUD stands for internal uterine device. An IUD is inserted into a
woman's uterus by a doctor to prevent pregnancy. When the woman is
ready to become pregnant, her doctor removes the device. The
effectiveness is rated at 97 percent to 99 percent.
Sterilization
6. A vasectomy is a form of outpatient surgery given to men. In a
vasectomy, the tubes that carry sperm from the testes to the urethra, or vas
deferens, are cut, so that sperm never enter the man's ejaculate. Women
can be sterilized by cutting the tubes that connect the ovaries to the uterus.
This, however, requires hospitalization and recovery. Effectiveness for
sterilization for both men and women is rated at 99 percent or more, but not
100 percent due to extremely rare medical flukes.

Read more: Different Family Planning Methods |

eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_4866824_different-family-planning-
methods.html#ixzz1B4YH2wJd

Natural Family Planning Instructions: 

Basal Body Temperature Method

You need detailed instructions in all Natural Family Planning

Methods.  This is to give you an overview and basics so you can make
a choice.

A woman's body temperature varies throughout her menstrual cycle.  This

temperature variation is mediated by the hormone progesterone and, to a
minor extent, the hormone LH.  You can use this information to predict
ovulation. 

Using a special thermometer, called a basal body thermometer, you

must take your temperature every morning BEFORE getting out of
bed and record this on a chart (such as the one below).  Your
temperature rises between 0.4°F and 0.8°F on the day of
ovulation.  (Your temperature will begin to rise on Day 13 of a 28
day cycle and continue to rise until approximately day 15 - these are
the three days you are COMPLETELY UNSAFE.)  From the day after
ovulation until a few days before your period, it will remain elevated.  Your temperature will
begin to drop a few days before your period.  You should refrain from intercourse seven days
before the temperature rise until four days after.

Just because temperature changes are very accurate in predicting the day of ovulation, they
do not predict it before it happens.  To be completely safe, you should consider unsafe days
from the first day of your period until the fourth day after the temperature rise.  Don't
forget, sperm can live up to seven days after intercourse.

You can use Ovulation predictor kits with the temperature charts to more accurately pinpoint
your day of ovulation.  They work by detecting the small amounts of LH that is present in the
urine before ovulation.  There is a rise in the amount of LH in the body approximately 24
hours before ovulation.  This increase is registered by a color change.    You must follow
manufacturer's directions precisely to get the best results.

hart your basal body temperature daily on a graph similar to this.

You can download a blank one in HTML Format that you can print out from your browser by
clicking the chart.  You will need an unzipping program to extract it.  An evaluation version is
available free on their web site.

Before using this method, you must chart your temperature DAILY for three
months so you can learn the temperature pattern for your body. 
 You need detailed instructions in all Natural Family Planning
Methods.  This is to give you an overview and basics so you can make
a choice.

Cervical Mucus has regular, cyclic pattern changes.  The cycle starts with the
beginning of a period and ends at the beginning of the next period.  Normally
cloudy and tacky, it becomes clear and slippery (similar to egg whites) before
ovulation.  It will also be stretchy between your fingers (spinnbarkeit).  To
use these changes for birth control, you must be religious in observing YOUR
pattern changes. 

Beginning with your period, the days you are having your period are
considered unsafe because the blood can disguise changes in the mucus
pattern.  After your period, you may have a few days when there is no
mucus.  These are called dry days and are safe.  The amount of mucus
then begins to increase once the egg starts to ripen.  Mucus will be
cloudy, sticky and white to yellowish in color.  These are also safe days. 
Then the mucus changes to the slippery, clear pattern a few days before
ovulation.  This is the beginning of an unsafe (THE MOST UNSAFE) time. 
The amount of mucus becomes the greatest just before ovulation.  The mucus may suddenly
become cloudy and sticky again.  It also may completely disappear just before your
period.  From the beginning of the change in your mucus pattern until it disappears or changes
(four days after the greatest volume) are the days you must not have intercourse.  Once you
are familiar with the mucus changes, you then only need to watch for changes until you are
sure that you have ovulated. 

PLEASE NOTE: You need to see and learn about the changes in your cervical
mucus through the entire menstrual cycle before using this method. 

This method is also known as the 'Rhythm Method' or fondly as 'Baby

Roulette'.

You must chart your menstrual cycles on a calendar for several

months.  If your periods are the SAME LENGTH every month, you may
be able to predict the day of ovulation.  Your 'unsafe days' are both
BEFORE and AFTER ovulation.  Because the egg lives for 24 hours,
sperm need to either be there to meet it or arrive shortly after ovulation for you to get
pregnant.  You are unsafe from 7 days before your day of ovulation to 4 days after
ovulation.  This is because sperm can live up to seven days in you.  They have consistently
been found alive and well five days after intercourse.

If your periods are NOT THE SAME LENGTH every single month, then you
SHOULD NOT USE THIS METHOD ALONE.

PREDICTING YOUR OVULATION DAY

Ovulation ALWAYS occurs 12-16 DAYS BEFORE

YOUR PERIOD (Usually 14 days).  Based on the
average of 14 days, you MAY be able to predict
the day you will ovulate.  Counting backwards to
Day 14 gives you your probable ovulation
day. Because the egg lives for 24 hours, sperm
need to either be there to meet it or arrive
shortly after ovulation.  Sperm can live up to
seven days after intercourse.  The Chart may
help you find your Ovulation Day.  This is not an
absolute prediction of your ovulation day, but
based on the 14 day method of calculating.

REMEMBER: Your body can be unpredictable.

HOW TO USE THIS METHOD

 Abstain from the beginning of your period until the
morning of the fourth day after your predicted ovulation
day.  This is more than half of your menstrual cycle.

No single Natural Method works reliably enough to avoid

unintended pregnancy.  However, combing the different methods in
one called the Sympto-Thermal Method is much more reliable. 
The combination that appears to be the most accurate is Basal
Body Temperature, Cervical Mucus, and the Calendar Methods. 
This will give you less 'unsafe' days.

It may seem as though you are juggling a lot of different things, but once you develop a
routine you will find it easier.

Chart your basal body temperature and Mucus quality daily on a graph similar
to this. 

You can download a blank one in HTML Format that you can print out from your browser by
clicking the chart.  You will need an unzipping program to extract it.  An evaluation version is
available free on their web site.

YOU MUST BE STRICTLY ADHERENT TO ALL THE THINGS NEEDED FOR

THIS METHOD TO WORK FOR YOU.