Birth control also known as contraception is the use of various devices, drugs, agents, sexual practices, or surgical procedures to prevent conception or pregnancy. It enables people to choose when they want to have a baby. Contraception may be a temporary or permanent measure to prevent pregnancy. Natural methods of contraception for birth control has been used since ancient times, but effective and safe methods of birth control only became available in the 20th century.

Family Planning:

Family planning is the practice of controlling the number of children one has and the intervals between their births, particularly by means of contraception or voluntary sterilization.

Logic Behind Use of Contraceptives:

A woman can get pregnant if a man’s sperm reaches one of her eggs (ova) and fertilizes it. Contraception tries to stop the reaching of sperms to the ova by:

• keeping the egg and sperm apart
• stopping egg production
• stopping the combined sperm and egg (fertilized egg) attaching to the lining of the womb

Chracteristics of Ideal Contraceptive:

• It should be easily available.
• It should be comfortable, easy to use and long lasting.
• It requires little or no medical supervision
• it should be effective and reversible with no or little side effects.
• It should not interfere with sexual desire, drive or the act of user.
• It should be economical.

Natural Methods of Contraception:

Natural methods of contraception are considered “natural” because they are not mechanical and not a result of hormone manipulation. These methods prevent pregnancy by not allowing the sperms to fertilize the ovum. These methods rely on observations about the woman’s body and menstrual cycle. They include fertility awareness methods.

The cheapest natural methods of contraception are fertility awareness methods (FAMs), which are based upon knowing when a woman ovulates each month. In order to use a FAM, it is necessary to watch for the signs and symptoms that indicate ovulation has occurred or is about to occur.

Safe Period or Rhythm Method:

The rhythm method also called the calendar method or a calendar rhythm method is a form of natural family planning. Women are only fertile (When the egg is present) for a few days each month. Women using the rhythm method monitor their body and analyze their past menstrual cycle to try to determine when their fertile days are. They can then either choose to not have sex during those days or can use a “barrier” form of birth control, such as condoms or spermicide.

Ovulation takes place on about the 14^th day of the menstruation in a 28-day menstruation cycle. The lifespan of an ovum is of 1-2 days only while the sperms can survive for about 3 days in the female genital tract. Thus sexual intercourse without barriers should be avoided from day 10^th to 17^th of the menstruation i.e. few days before and after ovulation.

The rhythm method works best for women whose cycles are consistent because it is easier to predict when she ovulates (releases an egg from her ovaries). But in most of the cases, the periods are uneven, hence the exact date of ovulation cannot be predicted. Hence the effectiveness of this method is limited. This method doesn’t protect the woman from sexually transmitted infections.

The basal body temperature method:

This method is also called a fertility awareness-based method. A Basal body temperature (BBT or BTP) is the lowest body temperature attained during rest (usually during sleep). It is usually estimated by a temperature measurement immediately after awakening and before any physical activity has been undertaken. Ovulation may cause a slight increase in basal body temperature. This is caused by the increase in the hormone progesterone. The female is most fertile during the two to three days before the basal temperature rises.  By tracking the basal body temperature each day, a female may be able to predict when she will ovulate. Sexual intercourse without barrier should be avoided a few days before and after ovulation (Increase in the basal temperature).

Cervical Mucus Examination Method:

The cervical mucus method also called the Billings Ovulation Method. The cervical mucus method is based on careful observation of mucus patterns during the course of a female’s menstrual cycle. Just before ovulation occurs, the hormone estrogen leads to increased cervical mucus and changes it into a stretchy, viscous-like substance. This helps sperm survive and swim through the cervix, uterus and fallopian tubes to the egg. By recognizing the changing characteristics of the cervical mucus, the prediction of ovulation can be done. If the cervical mucus is dry or sticky it represents nonovulation period. If it is wet and watery it represents ovulation is nearing. If it is creamy it represents ovulation is coming. When it is wet, stretchy and resembles raw egg white it represents ovulation. Sexual intercourse without a barrier should be avoided a few days before and after ovulation. This method doesn’t protect the woman from sexually transmitted infections.

Withdrawal Method or Coitus Interruption:

This method is used during sexual intercourse. The withdrawal method is the practice of withdrawing the penis from the vagina and away from a woman’s external genitals before ejaculation to prevent pregnancy. The goal of the withdrawal method is to prevent sperm from entering the vagina. This is one of the oldest methods of family planning. This method is also not effective because there is a possibility that some sperms may pass into the vagina. This method doesn’t protect the woman from sexually transmitted infections.

Lactational Amenorrhoea:

Lactational amenorrhea is the temporary postnatal infertility that occurs when a woman is amenorrheic (not menstruating) and fully breastfeeding. This is a natural barrier but effective only for 6 months after the parturition.

Previous Topic: Social and Economic Measures for Population Control

Next Topic: Barrier Methods of Contraception

Science > Biology > Human Population and Population Control > Natural Methods of Contraception

The post Natural Methods of Contraception appeared first on The Fact Factor.

Population explosion is a social problem and it is deeply rooted in society. So efforts must be done to remove the social evils in the country. Population control is a way in which the rate of population growth is changed, which has been made possible by limiting birth rates. Population control can be carried out by social, economic, physical and surgical methods. As human populations grow, human demands for resources like water, land, trees, and energy also grow. It affects the environment. Hence population control is important. Birth control measures should be used under the guidance of Family Planning Centres, qualified health professionals. Family Planning Centres provide these facilities free of cost.

Social Measures for Population Control:

Minimum age of Marriage:

As fertility depends on the age of marriage. Child marriage contributes to higher total fertility as women marrying earlier tend to both have children earlier and bear more children over their lifetime than if they had married later.  Demographers explain that postponement of female marriage age from 18 years to 20 or 22 years would bring down the birth rate by 20 to 30 percent.  So the minimum age of marriage should be raised. In India minimum age for marriage is 21 years for men and 18 years for women has been fixed by law. This law should be firmly implemented and people should also be made aware of this through publicity. As far as possible, marriage should be solemnized at the age of 30 years. This will reduce the period of reproduction among the females bringing down the birth rate.

Gender Equality, Equity, and Empowerment of Women:

By achieving equality and equity between men and women, and eliminating all practices that discriminate against women including the girl child, the TFR can be brought down. Here men should play responsible roles. As more and more women join career jobs, they tend to be occupied by work. This acts as an alternative to bringing up children. A woman having a career might find children a burden since they interfere with her work. 

Raising the Status of Women:

There is still discrimination to the women. Progress toward gender equity is hampered by long-held traditions that define women’s roles narrowly as childbearers and unpaid workers in the home and fields. They are confined to four walls of house.  Some societies limit girls’ access to formal education, thereby limiting future employment and economic freedomSo women should be given opportunities to develop socially and economically.

Spread of Education:

The spread of education changes the outlook of people. People, particularly those in the reproductive age group, should be educated about the advantages of a small family and ill-effects of large families and overpopulation.  Girls’ education often ends with early marriage. Investments in women’s education have proven especially effective at lowering fertility rates since better-educated women tend to marry later and have fewer, healthier children.  Education on family planning can be made compulsory for all through the school curriculum. Educated men prefer to delay marriage and adopt small family norms. Educated women are health conscious and avoid frequent pregnancies and thus help in lowering the birth rate.

Adoption:

Some parents do not have any child, despite costly medical treatment. It is advisable that they should adopt orphan children. It will be beneficial to orphan children and childless couples. The couple Receives the joy and blessing of adding a child to their family. They can fulfill dreams of raising a child.

Change in Social Outlook:

The social outlook of people should undergo a change. Marriage should no longer be considered a social binding.  It is a social expectation to marry and have children to carry on the lineage. Similarly, the biggest problem with infertility in India is the tremendous social stigma it carries. Issueless women should not be looked down upon.

Social Security:

In communities where children are regarded as security in old age, the introduction of pension schemes, insurance schemes and incomes for old people can substitute as security for old age. More and more people should be covered under social security schemes. So that they do not depend upon others in the event of old age, sickness, unemployment, etc. with these facilities they will have no desire for more children.

Economic Measures:

More employment opportunities:

Generally, in rural areas, there is disguised unemployment. So efforts should be made to migrate unemployed persons from rural area to urban area. It is found that the people in urban areas have low birth rate than those living in rural areas. This step can check population growth.

Standard of Living:

Improved standard of living acts as a deterrent to the large family norm. In order to maintain their higher standard of living people prefer to have a small family. Increased standard of living results in an increased demand for durable goods such as electronic goods, houses and furniture (instead of children). There is also an increased demand for leisure activities such as holiday outings, films and theatre shows, sports, and music. Well-off people tend to stay away from homes for longer hours compared to poor people. Increased incomes mean better living standards that people will usually guard against loss. In the rural economy, it can be achieved by the development of agriculture and industry. A large number of people will get employment. When their income is increased, the standard of living would increase and adopt small family norms.

Financial Hardship:

Measures aimed at imposing a greater burden on those with more children can be introduced. Those with children could be taxed according to the number of children they have. Subsidies and tax reliefs could be done away with. Maternity or paternity leaves could be denied. In addition, higher school fees, medical care fees, etc. could be imposed on those with more than the stated number of children.

Balanced Economic Growth:

It can be done through decentralization of industries and other economic activities. This ensures better regional income distribution and removes pressure from a few urban centers. As is the case with increased incomes, there will be a tendency for family sizes to shrink.

Other Measures:

Publicity of Importance of Family Planning:

The communication media like T.V., radio, newspaper, and social media are the good means to propagate the benefits of the planned family to the uneducated and illiterate persons especially in the rural and backward areas of the country.

The campaign run by the Government of India “Hum Do Humare Do” meaning we two and our two siblings (family consisting of husband, wife and two children) was successful in urban areas. Another campaign was “Chhota Parivar, Sukhi Parivar” meaning small family, happy family. The campaign “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” meaning save the girl child and let her educate improved the sex ratio in favour of girls even in rural areas.

Self Control and Family Planning:

According to some experts, self-control regarding sex is one of the powerful methods to control the population. It is an ideal and healthy approach and people should be provided to follow. It helps in reducing the birth rate.  By taking preventive measures, people can regulate the birth rate. The birth rate will likely to fall if there are different recreational facilities like cinema; theatre, sports, and dance, etc. are available to the people.

Enacting Child Labour Laws:

Generally, poor people regard children as suppliers of labour. Stringent laws can be enforced to restrict the minimum age for child employment. Hence the false belief that more children result in more family income will get abolished.

Previous Topic: Population Explosion

Next Topic: Natural Methods of Contraception

Science > Biology > Human Population and Population Control > Social and Economic Measures for Population Control

The post Population Control: Social and Economic Measures appeared first on The Fact Factor.