types of family planning

TYPES OF FAMILY PLANNING 

LOW-DOSE COMBINED ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES

 It is the method by which the woman takes pills, women who use oral contraceptives is meant to take pill each day. Combined oral contraceptive pill contains two hormones similar to the natural hormones in a woman’s body called an estrogen and a progestin. The method can also be called, combined pills, the pill or birth control pills. How the pills work in the body of a woman The pills work against ovulation, it stops ovulation, (that is, the release of eggs from ovaries) It makes cervical mucus thick, thereby making it almost impossible for the sperm to swim through. Disrupting an existing pregnancy is not part of their work.

IS IT EFFECTIVE? Out of every hundred (100) women that use it in a year 6 -8 of them got pregnant. The effectiveness is top-notch when used correctly as being prescribed. 0.1 pregnancies per 100 women in first year of use (1 in every 1,000) TAKE NOTE. The pill should be taken every day to guarantee its 100% effectiveness. Any woman who do not take the pill correctly might become pregnant. Most women make the mistake of starting the routine late and running out of pills. 

ADVANTAGE AND DISADVANGES 

ADVANTAGE;

Every age bracket can use it from adolescence to menopause. 

As long as the woman don’t want to get pregnant it can be used, but no rest time is needed. It decreases or can prevent iron deficiency called anemia Immediately the woman stops using it, her body becomes fertile again. It is very effective when used correctly. The man can release his sperm inside the woman without the fear of getting her pregnant. Monthly period, comes and goes in a fewer days It can be used by the both women; those that have children and the ones that have not. The user can stop the method any time she wants. It can be used after unprotected sex and it is still effective. It can prevent the following; Ectopic pregnancies, ovarian cysts, endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, Pelvic inflammatory disease, Benign breast disease. 

 

DISADVANTAGES; The daily routine could be challenging to a lot of women. The pills cannot stop one from being infected with venereal diseases, including HIV/AIDS The taker is supposed to collect new packet of the pills in every 28 days. To some women, it can cause, low interest in sex drive, mood swing and can lead to depression. Some side effects; mild headache, breast tenderness, nausea (most common in the first 3 months), slight weight gain, amenorrhea. It can affect the quality and the quantity of milk for the lactating mother and the child. It can cause stroke, blood clots in deep veins of the legs, or heart attack, but it is very rare. The women with high blood pressure and the women above 35 who smoke more than 15 cigarettes per day has the highest risk. 

PROGESTIN-ONLY ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES This method is different from combined oral contraceptives in many ways. It the kind of oral contrastive that the woman takes only one pill that contains progestin of low content. It is not like combined oral contraceptive that contains both progestin and estrogen. It contains one-half to one-tenth as such much progestin as combined oral contraceptives. It can also be called; progestin-only pills, (POPs), POCs, and mini pills. It is the best contraceptive for lactating mother; because it did not seems to reduce the production of breast milk. And women who are not breast-feeding can also use it and it works effectively for them. How progestin-only oral contraceptive works in the body. The pills makes cervical mucus thick, making it almost impossible for sperm to swim through. In the middle of menstrual cycle it stop ovulation (the release of eggs from the ovaries) It does not disrupt an existing pregnancy. 

 

IS THE MEHOD RELIABLE? It’s more effective than combined oral contraceptive, because 

breastfeeding gives protection against pregnancy too. It very effective when used correctly and effectively. If a woman makes mistake in the pills taking, she might become pregnant. It is most effective when taken at the same time every day. 

ADVANTAGE AND DISADVANTAGES 

ADVANTAGES; 

It can prevent; benign breast disease, endometrial and ovarian cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease. It has less risks of side effects like, weight gain, acne The most effective during breastfeeding. It is easier to understand that the woman has to take 1 pill each day for 21 day unlike the combined oral contraceptive that the woman has to take more than one pill for 21 days. It does not increase estrogen-related complications that could lead to heart attack or stroke. It does not harm the quality or the quantity of breast milk. 

DISADVANTAGES. Common side effects are headache and breast tenderness. It do not prevent ectopic pregnancy. If it is not take about the same time each day, it may not work effectively. For women who are not breastfeeding taking the pill few hours behind the appropriate time can risk pregnancy. For breastfeeding mother, the use of progestin-only oral contraceptive, may lengthened amenorrhea. And for women who are not breastfeeding it might cause irregular menstruation. 

DMPA INJECTABLE CONTRACEPTIVES 

This the use of injection to prevent pregnancy. In this method injection is given every three month, and it contains a progestin, which is similar to the natural hormone that woman’s body produces. Gradually the hormone is being released into the bloodstream. There are the kinds that are being injected monthly, but we will talk about that one in another article. 

 HOW IT WORKS. 

 It stops ovulation; the release of eggs from the ovaries. It makes the cervical mucus thick, making almost impossible for sperm to swim in. Was not introduced to stop an existing pregnancy. 

 HOW RELIABLE IS IT? 

It is very effective. But risk of pregnancy is high for women who are late for injection or miss injection.  

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES 

 ADVANTAGES

 Because there is no need to worry about pregnancy the couple is now able to enjoy sex to the optimum with less worries. Very effective. Does not affect sex. Does not require daily pills taking. Premium advantages for some women in the areas like these; it may help prevent iron-deficiency anemia; may make seizures less frequent in women with epilepsy; makes sickle cell crises less frequent and less painful. It can be concealed easily from family and even close friends. It can prevent pregnancy as long as three months, but the good news is that it can be reversed. Any age bracket can use it. Prevents endometrial cancer. Prevents uterine fibroids Prevents ovarian cancer. 

 

DISADVANTAGES; 

Those that use this method with have to take the injection every three months or risk getting pregnant. The injection does not prevent against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS. It may cause the following side effects; headache, breast tenderness, moodiness, nausea, hair loss, less sex drive, and acne in acne in some women. Changes in menstrual bleeding It may cause weight gain 

 NORPLANT IMPLANTS 

It is a plastic capsule of six pieces, the plastic is about the size of a match stick. The capsule is inserted into the skin of the woman’s upper arm, through a minor surgery. The capsule contains a progestin, which is similar to a natural hormone that a woman’s body make. The progestin is being released slowly by the six capsule. Norplant implants, has no estrogen; and can prevent pregnancy for at least five years. 

 HOW IT’S BEING DESINED OT WORK. 

It stops ovulation. It thickens cervical mucus, making it almost impossible for sperm to swim through. Was not designed to disrupt and existing pregnancy. It is very effective if is being implanted properly 

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES 

ADVANTAGES; 

During insertion of the capsule, it is not painful if anesthetics is given properly. It makes sickle cell crises less frequent and painless. Prevents endometrial cancer. Prevents ectopic pregnancy. Free of estrogen side effect. Can be used by lactating mother six weeks after child birth and it does not affect the quality and the quantity of breast milk. The removal of the capsule, fertility becomes normal again. It is reversible. After 24 hours of insertion it becomes effective. It does not require daily consumption of pills No repeated clinic visitation. It increases sexual pleasure because no need to worry about pregnancy. It is effective even among heavy women. 

DISADVANTAGES

 Does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS In the very rare instances when pregnancy occurs, as many as 1 in every 6 pregnancies is ectopic The insertion is painful and makes the woman discomfort for hours, and the removal is even more painful. Some women have phobia for implant, they can’t just imagine how it feels to have some capsule inserted into their arm. The client has no control over the use of the capsule since it is the work of a specialist to insert and to remove it from the body. Side effects, of Norplant implants; weight gain, hair loss or more hair growth on the face, change in appetite, acne or skin rash, nausea, nervousness, breast tenderness and discharge, dizziness, enlargement of ovaries or enlargement of ovarian cysts, headache, amenorrhea, prolonged bleeding, light spotting or bleeding between monthly period. 

 FEMALE STERILIZATION 

It is a very effective, convenient and permanent surgical method of family planning. Any couple or a client that chose this method must have her mind made up not to expect any child tomorrow. It is a safe and simple surgical procedure. It can be done with local anesthesia and light sedation. How it works. Health care specialists makes a small incision in the woman’s abdomen and block off or cuts the two fallopian tubes. Theses tubes were meant to carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. Because the tube is blocked the eggs cannot be able to meet the man’s sperm. How reliable is it? It is indeed very effective and permanent 

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANGES 

 ADVANTAGES 

It protects against ovarian cancer. No long term side effect has been recorded. It does not affect breast milk. It increases sexual pleasure because the couple has nothing to worry about pregnancy during sex. It does not affect woman’s ability to have sex After the surgery the client has nothing to worry about, routine timetable of taking pill, visiting clinics for implant, injection etc. 

DISADVANTAGES 

It has no protections against sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS. Reversal methods is not guaranteed, and it is very difficult and cannot be accessed in every country or region. It is very expensive, it is the most expensive of all minor surgery methods of family planning. It needs a special trained specialists to conduct the surgery, and it needs a careful examination. Injury to internal organs Internal infection or bleeding Infection or bleeding at the incision. 

VASECTOMY; 

It is a surgical process of family planning for men, who are sure never to have children in the future. It is a permanent method of family planning amongst men. It is very simple and effective. It does not affect sexual performance nor sensation. There has not been in record of its long term side effect. Surgery is minor and can be carried out in few minutes in a clinic or office. And it becomes absolute effective at least 20 ejaculations or 3 months. To make sure that the man does not get his spouse pregnant, he should use condom after the surgery for a period of time required of him. For men who don’t want to get woman pregnant, vasectomy guarantees permanent contraception. Vasectomy is not castration because it does not affect the testicle, and it does not affect sexual drive. It can also be called a male sterilization and male surgical contraception. 

 How it can be done. 

Small incision is made in the scrotum by the professional health care provider. And the two tubes that carries sperm from the testicles are tied up. This keeps sperm out of the semen. After the whole procedures the man still have erection and ejaculates semen, but his semen cannot be able to make a woman pregnant because it has no sperm cell in it. 

How reliable is it? 

It is very effective and permanent. After the minor surgery the man has to check verify his semen to make sure that it does carry sperm cell, with that he can be assured of its full effectiveness. 

 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES 

 ADVDANTAGES. 

 Its effectiveness can be tested, the man has to go and examine his semen to be sure that it does not carry sperm cells. The charges for the method is less expensive. It is easier to perform. It is slightly safer. No known long term risk. The client is not required to visit clinic regularly to collect his pills or injections to keep the method effective. It’s simply; a one day thing, and then, it becomes permanent. It increases sexual pleasure because the couple don’t have to worry about pregnancy. It does affect sexual urge and does not affect the man’s ability to have and enjoy sex. 

DISADVANTAGES 

It does not protect one from sexually transmitted diseases. The reversal surgery is expensive, not easily accessible and not guaranteed of its effectiveness after correctional surgery is being done. It’s not immediately effective it can need above 20 ejaculations, and the couple will be on contraceptive for about 3 months. It required a surgery from a trained health care practitioner. There might be complications from the surgery; bleeding or infection at the incision-or blood clots in the scrotum. Pain in the scrotum, swelling and bruising. Usually uncomfortable for 2 or 3 days. 

 CONDOMS 

They are too types of condom male and female condom, male put their own on the surface while women insert their own inside the vagina. Condom is a sheath over a penis, or inside the vagina to avoid sperm from fertilizing the ripe eggs. Most condom are made of thin latex rubber. Some condoms are covered with dry lubricant or with spermicide. Condoms comes in different sizes, shapes, colors, and textures. Condom protects and prevents unwanted pregnancy or even sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS, it can be used along with other family planning methods to prevent sexually transmitted diseases. 

How does condom work? 

If used effectively, condom has the capacity to prevent unwanted pregnancy, and to stop the couple from infecting each other with sexually transmitted diseases or infection. 

How reliable is it? 

If used effectively or correctly every time it is meant to be highly effective. Preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection, including HIV/AIDS. 

 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES 

ADVANTAGES. 

It increase sexual enjoyment because no need to worry about sexually transmitted infection or pregnancy. It helps to prevent premature ejaculation A man who uses condom is sure about his status on impregnating a woman or sharing sexually transmitted diseases. It is very easy to access, it can be bought and sold easily. It is easy to be used, it does not require the counsel of a specially trained health practitioner Men of every age bracket can use it. It is best for emergency sex, some people carry it about, and it is being sold at every hotel and pharmaceutical shops It can be stopped at any time Helps prevent ectopic pregnancy It has not hormonal side effect. After child birth, and as soon as the woman can have sex, the condom can be used on her It can be used to prevent sexually transmitted infections during pregnancy. Helps to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. 

 DISADVANTAGES 

Some people found it embarrassed to buy, asked the partner to use or throw away after use. People tend to connect condom with sexual immorality, sex with prostitutes or sex outside marriage. Condom can weaken if stored for too long or kept in a hot environment. There is possibility that condom can slip off or break during sex. Condom needed to be handy even when the couple is not expecting to have sex. The time and discipline of putting the condom on before sex. It makes sex less enjoyable because the sheath decreases sensation during sex. Latex condom can cause some itching for the users who are allergic to latex condom 

INTRAUTERINE DEVICES (IUDs) 

It is an intrauterine device (IUD) usually is a small, flexible plastic frame. Most often it has a copper wire or copper sleeves on it. It is being put into a woman’s uterus through her vagina. It likely that most brands of IUDS have one or two strings, or threads, tied to them. The strings hang through the opening of the cervix into the vagina. Through the strings which has already being inserted in the cervix the user can be able to check if the device is still in its proper place. The IUD device can be removed by the health provider, by him pulling the forceps gently through strings. IUDs can also be called IUCDs (intrauterine contraceptive devices). Not a good method for a woman at high risk of getting sexually transmitted disease (STDs) it could lead to pelvic inflammatory disease. 

 How it works. IUD 

works mainly by preventing sperm and egg from meeting. IUDs makes it almost impossible for the sperm to move through the woman’s reproductive tract, and it reduces the ability of sperm to fertilize an egg. It has the capacity to prevent eggs from staying in the wall of uterus. 

 How reliable is it?

It is widely available and can last for ten years in the woman’s body preventing unwanted pregnancies if properly inserted. It is very effective and reliable. 

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANGES 

ADVANTAGES 

It helps prevent ectopic pregnancies. The user don’t need to use pills or injection, once it is being inserted it has commenced its work to prevent unwanted pregnancy. The user can carry it in her body until she enters menopause. Can be inserted immediately after child birth or after induced abortion. IUDs does not have effect on the production and the quality of the mother’s breast milk. It can be reversed easily, whenever the IUDs is being removed the woman stands the chance to get pregnant immediately. It has not hormonal side effect. It increases the pleasure during sexual intercourse because the couple don’t have to worry about getting pregnant. It does not interfere with sex. It is long lasting since it can last for the period of 10 years. 

DISADVANTAGES 

On the regular occasion the woman is being required to check the position of the IUD strings. And to do this she must have to put her fingers into her vagina. Some women might find this awful. It does not prevent ectopic pregnancy like it does to normal pregnancy. The IUDs might slid off from the vagina without the woman noticing, and it mostly common when it is being inserted after childbirth. When the user is done, it needs an expert to be removed; the user cannot remove it on her own. Pains, bleeding or spotting may occur immediately after it is being inserted. But goes away in few days. Sometimes women faints during the insert of IUDs The pelvic needs to be examined by the expert before IUDs is inserted. It can lead to pelvic inflammatory diseases, or the woman might contact infection. It does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. IUDs common side effects; more cramps or pain during period, bleeding or spotting during period, longer or heavier menstrual pain, menstrual changes. 

 VAGINAL METHODS

These are those contraceptives that a woman puts in her vagina shortly before sex. 

There are many vaginal methods.

 Cervical cap, it looks like diaphragm- but it’s smaller, it’s not widely assessable in every countries or regions. 

Diaphragm; it is a soft rubber cup that covers the cervix. It is being used with spermicidal jelly or cream. 

Spermicides; it includes foaming tablets or suppositories, melting suppositories, foam, melting film, jelly, and cream. Vaginal methods are used by women, since all of it are being inserted into the woman’s body. 

 How it works. The spermicides kills sperm or make it impossible to swim towards the egg. The diaphragms and cervical caps, block sperm from entering the uterus and tubes, where sperm could meet an egg. 

 How reliable is it? Its effectiveness depends on how the woman used the vaginal method before or during sex. 

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES 

ADVANTAGESS 

 Diaphragm can be inserted up to six hours before sex to avoid interruption during sex. The user don’t need the help of the health care provider to insert it in her vagina. It can be used immediately after childbirth. It increases vaginal lubrication. No side effects from hormones. It prevents unwanted pregnancy if it’s being used properly. It offers protection when needed. It can help prevent some STDs Almost every woman can use it. 

DISADVANGES Diaphragm needs special storage to avoid developing holes. Diaphragm or cap needed to washed with a mild soap and kept clean after each use. Cervical caps is less effective for women who have given birth before. A woman who have given birth may need a different sized diaphragm. Diaphragm might tear when the woman tried to remove it. It needs pelvic examination by health care provider to guarantee fitting into the woman’s pelvic. Infected vaginal method items can give infections to the users. Foaming methods might cause warm sensation. Some might melt in hot weather. Melting type must be placed in vagina at least 10 minutes before the man ejaculates but not more than 1 hour. It is hard to conceal from the partner. Sometimes the use of spermicides might mess up the vagina during intercourse. It might interrupt sex. The user has to wash hand before inserting into the vagina to avoid infections. Side effects of using vaginal method; it makes urinary tract infection more common, spermicides might cause local allergic reaction, spermicides might cause irritation to the woman or her partner. 

 FERTILITY AWARENESS-BASED MEHTIODS, INCLUDING PERIODIC ABSTINENCE 

 It is the method whereby the woman studies her menstrual cycle to know when she is fertile or not. Having studied that she becomes aware that if she make love at her fertile period there is every tendency that she might become pregnant. This method requires the woman to only have sex with her partner when she is in her dry period. 

A woman can use several ways to tell when her fertile time begins and ends. 

 Calendar calculation; a woman can count calendar days to identify the start and end of the fertile time. The number of days depends on the length of previous menstrual cycles. 

 Cervical secretions; using the vagina wetness to tell when the woman is fertile, when feels some periodic cervical secretion, she may be assumed fertile. 

 Basal body temperature. (BBT) around the time of ovulation, by the time eggs is being released the woman’s body temperature seems to rise. Having studied this the woman will be able to tell when she is fertile. Feel of the cervix; as the fertile time begins, the opening of the cervix feels softer, opens slightly, and is moist. When she is not fertile, the opening is firmer and closed. Women can use the above knowledge to know her fertile time and her dry period. And she avoids meeting her partner at her fertile time except, she wants to become pregnant. This method has no physical side effect. And might be hard to use during fever or vaginal infections, after childbirth, or while breastfeeding. 

 How it works. 

Being acquainted with the knowledge of fertility awareness based method, helps the woman or the couple to tell when the woman is fertile through, her periodic temperature, wetness or secretion in her cervix; thereby not having sex at those period to avoid unwanted pregnancy. Abstain from intercourse. If must have intercourse during the fertile period the couple should use some barrier methods, like, condom, diaphragm and spermicide. Use withdrawal method. This is the method through which the man pull off his shaft to ejaculate outside the vagina of the woman during intercourse. 

 How reliable is it? To achieve the optimum effectiveness of this method the couple should not guess about the fertile time. They are meant to abstain completely from sexual intercourse. Some couple find using barrier methods during the fertile time easier and thus possibly more effective than avoiding sex. Couple who regularly use barrier methods also can use fertility awareness and avoid sex while the woman is fertile. This may be more effective than using barrier methods alone. 

 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES 

ADVANTAGES 

It educates people about women’s fertility cycles. It also open men’s eyes on how women’s fertility cycle works. No effect on the quality or the quantity of breast milk; it does not affect breastfeeding. No hormonal side effects. Periodic abstinence is acceptable to some religious groups that reject or discourage use of other methods. It is reversible, since nothing goes inside the body of the couple. One does not need the services of medical practitioners, a trained volunteers can teach other people. It is very effective if used correctly and consistently. Any couple can use it, all that is required of them is commitment to it. Low cost effective. Not physical side effects. Once learned the couple can use it to avoid pregnancy or to become pregnant. 

 DISADVANTAGES. 

 It does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases or infection. Most method require daily records and close attention to body changes. It may be very difficult to practice if the woman has more than one sex partner. For women with irregular menstrual period, calendar method might not be effective. During breastfeeding it might be hard for the couple to measure the menstrual cycle to know when the woman is fertile or not. If the woman has fever or vaginal infection holding the menstrual cycle accountable for birth control might be very hard. It will not work without continuing cooperation and commitment of both the woman and the man. Takes up to 2 or 3 cycle to learn how to identify fertile time accurately using cervical secretion and BBT. Not always effective. 

 LACTATIONAL AMENORRHEA METHOD (LAM) LAM, 

is a method of contraceptive based on breastfeeding. A woman uses LAM when her baby gets little or no other food or drink except breast milk, and she breastfeeds often, both day and night. During this period the woman menstrual cycle has not returned while her baby is less than 6 months. This method is only effective for up to 6 months after childbirth. LAM makes sure that the baby gets need nutrients and protection from disease provided by breast milk. Breastfeeding is the healthiest way to feed most babies during the first 6 months of life. Along with other foods, breast milk can be a major part of the child’s diet for 2 years or more. 

 How it works. It stops ovulation, because breastfeeding changes the rate of release of natural hormones. 

 

How reliable is it? 

Very effective when used correctly and effectively. 

ADVANTGES AND DISADVANTAGES 

ADVANTAGES 

It helps in the development of mother child relationship. Helps to protect the baby from life threatening diseases such as measles and pneumonia by passing the mother’s immunities to the baby. Provides the healthiest food to the baby. Protects the baby from life threating diarrhea. No hormonal side effect. The couple don’t need any supplies nor procedures to prevent pregnancy. It requires not cost of money to maintain. Can be used immediately after child birth. It encourages the best breastfeeding pattern. It can effectively prevent pregnancy for at least 6 months since the mother follows the procedures. 

DISADVANTAGES 

If the mother is living with HIV, there is a slight chance that the virus might be passed to the child through breastfeeding. The method does not protect one from sexually transmitted diseases. Frequent might be inconvenient for some people especially working class women. Its effectiveness can only last for a period of 6 months.