Birth control, sometimes synonymous with contraception, is a regimen of one or more actions, devices, or medications followed in order to deliberately prevent or reduce the likelihood of pregnancy or childbirth. Medication, also referred to as medicine, can be loosely defined as any substance intended for use in the diagnosis cure mitigation treatment or prevention of disease Pregnancy ( Latin graviditas) is the carrying of one or more offspring known as a Fetus or Embryo, inside the Uterus of a Female Childbirth (also called labour, birth, partus or parturition) is the culmination of a Human Pregnancy or Contraception may refer specifically to mechanisms which are intended to reduce the likelihood of the fertilization of an ovum by a spermatozoon. For soil improvement see Fertilization (soil. An ovum (plural ova) is a Haploid Female reproductive cell or Gamete. A spermatozoon or spermatozoan ( pl spermatozoa) from the Ancient Greek σπέρμα (seed and ζῷον (living being and more commonly known Birth control is commonly used as part of family planning. Family planning is frequently used to mean that people plan when to have children using Birth control, preconceptional counseling.

The history of birth control began with the discovery of the connection between coitus and pregnancy. Sexual intercourse, in its biological sense is the act in which the male reproductive organ (in humans and other higher animals enters the female reproductive tract The oldest forms of birth control included coitus interruptus, pessaries, and the ingestion of herbs that were believed to be contraceptive or abortifacient. Coitus interruptus, also known as withdrawal or the pull-out method, is a method of Contraception in which a couple has Sexual intercourse A pessary is a small Plastic or Silicone medical device or form of Pharmaceutical preparation which is inserted into the Vagina or Rectum Herbalism is a traditional Medicinal or Folk medicine practice based on the use of Plants and Plant extracts Herbalism is also known as An abortifacient is a substance that induces Abortion. Abortifacients for Animals that have mated undesirably are known as Mismating shots The earliest record of birth control use is an Ancient Egyptian set of instructions on creating a contraceptive pessary. Ancient Egypt was an Ancient Civilization in eastern North Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now

Different methods of birth control have varying characteristics. Different types of Birth control methods have large differences in effectiveness actions required of users and side effects Condoms, for example, are the only methods that provide significant protection from sexually transmitted diseases. A condom is a device most commonly used during Sexual intercourse. Cultural and religious attitudes on birth control vary significantly.

Contents 1 History 2 Methods 2.1 Physical methods 2.1.1 Barrier methods 2.1.2 Hormonal methods 2.1.3 Ormeloxifene (Centchroman) 2.1.4 Intrauterine methods 2.1.5 Emergency contraception 2.1.6 Induced abortion 2.1.7 Sterilization 2.2 Behavioral methods 2.2.1 Fertility awareness 2.2.2 Coitus interruptus 2.2.3 Avoiding vaginal intercourse 2.2.4 Abstinence 2.2.5 Lactational 2.3 Methods in development 2.3.1 For females 2.3.2 For males 3 Misconceptions 4 Effectiveness 4.1 Protection against sexually transmitted infections 5 Religious and cultural attitudes 5.1 Religious views on birth control 5.2 Birth control education 6 See also 7 References 8 External links

History

Probably the oldest methods of contraception (aside from sexual abstinence) are coitus interruptus, lactational, certain barrier methods, and herbal methods (emmenagogues and abortifacients). Coitus interruptus, also known as withdrawal or the pull-out method, is a method of Contraception in which a couple has Sexual intercourse Barrier contraception methods prevent Pregnancy by physically preventing Sperm from entering the Uterus. Emmenagogues are Herbs which stimulate Blood flow in the Pelvic area and Uterus; some stimulate menstruation An abortifacient is a substance that induces Abortion. Abortifacients for Animals that have mated undesirably are known as Mismating shots

Coitus interruptus (withdrawal of the penis from the vagina prior to ejaculation) probably predates any other form of birth control. The penis (plural penises, penes The vagina (from Latin, literally " Sheath " or " Scabbard " is a fibromuscular tubular tract leading from the Uterus Ejaculation is the ejecting of Semen from the Penis, and is usually accompanied by Orgasm. Once the relationship between the emission of semen into the vagina and pregnancy was known or suspected, some men began to use this technique. Physiological aspects Internal and external fertilization Depending on the Species, spermatozoa can fertilize This is not a particularly reliable method of contraception, as few men have the self-control to correctly practice the method at every single act of sexual intercourse. ^[1] Although it is commonly believed that pre-ejaculate fluid can cause pregnancy, modern research has shown that pre-ejaculate fluid does not contain viable sperm. Pre-ejaculate (also known as pre-ejaculatory fluid or Cowper's fluid, and colloquially as pre-cum) is the clear colorless viscous fluid that ^[2][3]

There are historic records of Egyptian women using a pessary (a vaginal suppository) made of various acidic substances and lubricated with honey or oil, which may have been somewhat effective at killing sperm. This article is about the contemporary North African ethnic group A pessary is a small Plastic or Silicone medical device or form of Pharmaceutical preparation which is inserted into the Vagina or Rectum A suppository is a drug delivery system that is inserted either into the Rectum (rectal suppository Vagina (vaginal suppository or Urethra (urethral In Computer science, ACID ( Atomicity Consistency Isolation Durability) is a set of properties that guarantee that Database transactions are ^[4] However, it is important to note that the sperm cell was not discovered until Anton van Leeuwenhoek invented the microscope in the late 17th century, so barrier methods employed prior to that time could not know of the details of conception. The cell is the structural and functional unit of all known living Organisms It is the smallest unit of an organism that is classified as living and is often called Antonie Philips van Leeuwenhoek (October 24 1632 &ndash August 30 1723 was a Dutch tradesman and Scientist from Delft, the Netherlands A microscope ( Greek: ( micron) = small + ( skopein) = to look or see is an instrument for viewing objects that are Asian women may have used oiled paper as a cervical cap, and Europeans may have used beeswax for this purpose. The cervical cap is form of Barrier contraception. A cervical cap fits over the Cervix and blocks Sperm from entering the Uterus through the For the rock song by Nirvana see Beeswax (song. Beeswax is a natural Wax produced in the bee hive of Honey bees of the genus The condom appeared sometime in the 17th century, initially made of a length of animal intestine. A condom is a device most commonly used during Sexual intercourse. In Anatomy, the intestine is the segment of the alimentary canal extending from the Stomach to the Anus and in humans and other mammals consists It was not particularly popular, nor as effective as modern latex condoms, but was employed both as a means of contraception and in the hopes of avoiding syphilis, which was greatly feared and devastating prior to the discovery of antibiotic drugs. LaTeX (ˈleɪtɛ Syphilis is a Sexually transmitted disease caused by the spirochetal Bacterium Treponema pallidum pallidum. In modern usage an antibiotic is a Chemotherapeutic agent with activity against Microorganisms such as Bacteria, fungi or Protozoa

Various abortifacients have been used throughout human history. An abortifacient is a substance that induces Abortion. Abortifacients for Animals that have mated undesirably are known as Mismating shots Some of them were effective, some were not; those that were most effective also had major side effects. An adverse drug reaction (abbreviated ADR) or adverse drug event (abbreviated ADE) is an expression that describes the unwanted negative consequences One abortifacient reported to have low levels of side effects — silphium — was harvested to extinction around the 1st century. Silphium (also known as silphion or laser) was a plant of the Genus Ferula. ^[5] The ingestion of certain poisons by the female can disrupt the reproductive system; women have drunk solutions containing mercury, arsenic, or other toxic substances for this purpose. In the context of Biology, poisons are substances that can cause damage, Illness, or Death to Organisms usually by The reproductive system is a system of organs within an Organism which work together for the purpose of Reproduction. Mercury (ˈmɜrkjʊri also called quicksilver or hydrargyrum, is a Chemical element with the symbol Hg ( Latinized hydrargyrum Arsenic (ˈɑrsənɪk is a Chemical element that has the symbol As and Atomic number of 33 The Greek gynaecologist Soranus in the 2nd century suggested that women drink water that blacksmiths had used to cool metal. Gynaecology or gynecology (see spelling differences) refers to the surgical specialty dealing with health of the female reproductive system ( Uterus Soranus, Greek Physician, born at Ephesus, lived during the reigns of Trajan and Hadrian (AD 98-138 blacksmith is a person who creates objects from Iron or Steel by Forging the Metal; i The M acro E xpansion T emplate A ttribute L anguage complements TAL, providing macros which allow the reuse of code across The herbs tansy and pennyroyal are well-known in folklore as abortive agents, but these also "work" by poisoning the woman. Tansy ( Tanacetum vulgare) is a perennial herbaceous Flowering plant of the aster family that is native to temperate Europe and The herb Pennyroyal ( Mentha pulegium, family Lamiaceae) is a member of the mint Genus; an Essential oil extracted from An Levels of the active chemicals in these herbs that will induce a miscarriage are high enough to perilously damage the liver, kidneys, and other organs. Miscarriage or spontaneous abortion is the natural or spontaneous end of a Pregnancy at a stage where the embryo or fetus is incapable of surviving generally defined The liver is a vital organ in the human body and is present in Vertebrates and some other animals The kidneys are complicated organs that have numerous biological roles However, in those times where risk of maternal death from postpartum complications was high, the risks and side effects of toxic medicines may have seemed less onerous. Maternal death, or maternal mortality, also "obstetrical death" is the Death of a woman during or shortly after a Pregnancy. Postnatal ( Latin for 'after birth' from post meaning "after" and natalis meaning "of birth" is the period beginning immediately after Some herbalists claim that black cohosh tea will also be effective in certain cases as an abortifacient. Herbalism is a traditional Medicinal or Folk medicine practice based on the use of Plants and Plant extracts Herbalism is also known as Actaea racemosa ( Black cohosh, Black bugbane or Black snakeroot or Fairy candle; syn ^[6]

Aside from abortifacients, herbal contraceptives in folklore have also included a few preventative measures. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, known in Ayurveda as a contraceptive, may have antiestrogenic properties. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (family Malvaceae) known colloquially as the Chinese hibiscus, is an Evergreen flowering Shrub native to East Ayurveda ( Devanāgarī: आयुर्वॆद the 'science of life' is a system of Traditional medicine native to India, and practiced in other ^[7] Papaya seeds, rumored to be a male contraceptive, have recently been studied for their azoospermic effect on monkeys. The papaya (from Carib via Spanish) is the Fruit of the Plant Carica papaya, in the genus Carica. ^[8]

The fact that various effective methods of birth control were known in the ancient world sharply contrasts with a seeming ignorance of these methods in wide segments of the population of early modern Christian Europe. A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth This ignorance continued far into the 20th century, and was paralleled by eminently high birth rates in European countries during the 18th and 19th centuries. ^[9] Some historians have attributed this to a series of coercive measures enacted by the emerging modern state, in an effort to repopulate Europe after the population catastrophe of the Black Death, starting in 1348. A state is a political association with effective Sovereignty over a geographic Area and representing a Population. The Black Death, or the Black Plague, was one of the deadliest Pandemics in human history widely thought to have been caused by a bacterium named Yersinia According to this view, the witch hunts were the first measure the modern state took in an attempt to eliminate knowledge about birth control within the population, and monopolize it in the hands of state-employed male medical specialists (gynecologists). "Witch trial" redirects here For the song by Rush, see Fear series. Prior to the witch hunts, male specialists were unheard of, because birth control was naturally a female domain. ^[10]

Presenters at a family planning conference told a tale of Arab traders inserting small stones into the uteruses of their camels in order to prevent pregnancy, a concept very similar to the modern IUD. The araB gene Promoter is a bacterial promoter activated by e L-arabinose binding An intrauterine device ( intra meaning within, and uterine meaning of the Uterus) is a Birth control device placed Although the story has been repeated as truth, it has no basis in history and was meant only for entertainment purposes. ^[11] The first interuterine devices (which occupied both the vagina and the uterus) were first marketed around 1900. The first modern intrauterine device (contained entirely in the uterus) was described in a German publication in 1909. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. The Gräfenberg ring, the first IUD that was used by a significant number of women, was introduced in 1928. Gräfenberg's ring is a flexible ring of silk suture later versions of which were wrapped in silver wire ^[12]

The Rhythm Method (with a rather high method failure rate of ten percent per year) was developed in the early 20th century, as researchers discovered that a woman only ovulates once per menstrual cycle. Calendar-based methods are various methods of estimating a Woman 's likelihood of fertility based on a record of the length of previous Menstrual cycles Various The menstrual cycle is a recurring cycle of physiologic changes that occurs in reproductive-age Females Overt menstruation (where there is blood flow from the Not until the 1950s, when scientists better understood the functioning of the menstrual cycle and the hormones that controlled it, were methods of hormonal contraception and modern methods of fertility awareness (also called natural family planning) developed. Hormones (from Greek ὁρμή - "impetus" are chemicals released by cells that affect cells in other parts of the body Hormonal contraception refers to Birth control methods that act on the hormonal system Fertility awareness (FA refers to a set of practices used to determine the fertile and infertile phases of a woman's Menstrual cycle.

Margaret Sanger was an American birth control activist and the founder of the American Birth Control League (which eventually became Planned Parenthood). Margaret Higgins Sanger ( September 14, 1879 &ndash September 6, 1966) was an American Birth control activist an advocate The American Birth Control League was founded by Margaret Sanger in 1921 at the First American Birth Control Conference in New York City Planned Parenthood is the collective name of organizations worldwide who are members of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF She was instrumental in opening the way to access birth control.

In 1960 the FDA approved the first form of hormonal birth control, the combined oral contraceptive pill. Hormonal contraception refers to Birth control methods that act on the hormonal system

Methods

See also: Comparison of birth control methods

Physical methods

Physical methods may work in a variety of ways, among them: physically preventing sperm from entering the female reproductive tract; hormonally preventing ovulation from occuring; making the woman's reproductive tract inhospitable to sperm; or surgically altering the male or female reproductive tract to induce sterility. Different types of Birth control methods have large differences in effectiveness actions required of users and side effects Some methods use more than one mechanism. Physical methods vary in simplicity, convenience and efficacy.

Barrier methods

Barrier methods place a physical impediment to the movement of sperm into the female reproductive tract. Barrier contraception methods prevent Pregnancy by physically preventing Sperm from entering the Uterus.

The most popular barrier method is the male condom, a latex or polyurethane sheath placed over the penis. A condom is a device most commonly used during Sexual intercourse. A polyurethane, commonly abbreviated PU, is any Polymer consisting of a chain of organic units joined by urethane links The condom is also available in a female version, which is made of polyurethane. The female condom has a flexible ring at each end — one secures behind the pubic bone to hold the condom in place, while the other ring stays outside the vagina. A female condom is a device that is used during Sexual intercourse to prevent pregnancy and transmission of Sexually transmitted infections (STIs—such as For the bone in many mammals often called the penis bone see Baculum The android pubic bone is the Ventral and Anterior

Cervical barriers are devices that are contained completely within the vagina. The contraceptive sponge has a depression to hold it in place over the cervix. The contraceptive sponge combines barrier and spermicidal methods to prevent conception. The cervix (from Latin "neck" is the lower narrow portion of the Uterus where it joins with the top end of the Vagina. The cervical cap is the smallest cervical barrier. The cervical cap is form of Barrier contraception. A cervical cap fits over the Cervix and blocks Sperm from entering the Uterus through the Depending on the type of cap, it stays in place by suction to the cervix or to the vaginal walls. The diaphragm fits into place behind the woman's pubic bone and has a firm but flexible ring, which helps it press against the vaginal walls. The diaphragm is a cervical barrier type of Birth control. It is a soft Latex or Silicone dome with a spring molded into the rim

Spermicide may be placed in the vagina before intercourse and creates a chemical barrier. Spermicide is a substance that kills sperm, inserted vaginally prior to intercourse to prevent pregnancy Spermicide may be used alone, or in combination with a physical barrier.

Hormonal methods

There are variety of delivery methods for hormonal contraception. Hormonal contraception refers to Birth control methods that act on the hormonal system

Combinations of synthetic oestrogens and progestins (synthetic progestogens) are commonly used. Estrogens (US otherwise oestrogens or œstrogens) are a group of Steroid compounds named for their importance in the Estrous cycle, A progestin is a synthetic progestagen that has progestinic effects similar to Progesterone. Progestagens (also spelled progestogens or gestagens) are Hormones that produce effects similar to those of Progesterone, the only natural progestagen These include the combined oral contraceptive pill ("The Pill"), the Patch, and the contraceptive vaginal ring ("NuvaRing"). A contraceptive patch is a Transdermal patch applied to the skin that releases synthetic Estrogen and Progestin hormones to prevent Pregnancy NuvaRing is the trade name for a combined hormonal Contraceptive Vaginal ring manufactured by Organon that is available by prescription Not currently available for sale in the United States is Lunelle, a monthly injection. Combined injectable contraceptive ( CIC) monthly injection of progesterone and estradiol taken to inhibit fertility

Other methods contain only a progestin (a synthetic progestogen). These include the progesterone only pill (the POP or 'minipill'), the injectables Depo Provera (a depot formulation of medroxyprogesterone acetate given as an intramuscular injection every three months) and Noristerat (Norethindrone acetate given as an intramuscular injection every 8 weeks), and contraceptive implants. Progestogen Only Pills or Progestin Only Pills ( POP) are Contraceptive Pills that only contain synthetic Progestogens ( Progestins Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate ( DMPA) is a Progestin -only hormonal contraceptive Birth control drug which is injected every 3 months An injection is an infusion method of putting Liquid into the Body, usually with a hollow needle and a Syringe which is pierced through Medroxyprogesterone is a Progestin, and is commonly a component of Hormonal Contraceptives. Intramuscular injection is the injection of a substance directly into a Muscle. Norethindrone acetate is a Progestin used in Contraception. See also Norethindrone Intramuscular injection is the injection of a substance directly into a Muscle. An implant is a Medical device made to replace and act as a missing biological structure (as compared with a transplant, which indicates transplanted Biomedical The progestin-only pill must be taken at more precisely remembered times each day than combined pills. The first contraceptive implant, the original 6-capsule Norplant, was removed from the market in the United States in 1999, though a newer single-rod implant called Implanon was approved for sale in the United States on July 17, 2006. Norplant is a form of Birth control developed by the Population Council that was first approved in 1983 in Finland, where it was manufactured Implanon, made by Organon International, is a single-rod contraceptive subdermal implant that is inserted just under the skin of a woman's upper arm Events 180 - Twelve inhabitants of Scillium in North Africa are executed for being Christians Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The various progestin-only methods may cause irregular bleeding during use.

Ormeloxifene (Centchroman)

Ormeloxifene (Centchroman) is a selective oestrogen receptor modulator, or SERM. Ormeloxifene (also known as Centchroman) is one of the Selective estrogen receptor modulators or SERMs a class of medication which acts on the estrogen receptor Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators ( SERMs) are a class of Medication that acts on the Estrogen receptor. It causes ovulation to occur asynchronously with the formation of the uterine lining, preventing implantation of a zygote. It has been widely available as a birth control method in India since the early 1990s, marketed under the trade name Saheli. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country Centchroman is legally available only in India.

Intrauterine methods

These are contraceptive devices which are placed inside the uterus. The uterus (from the Latin word for womb) is the major Female reproductive organ of most Mammals including Humans One end the They are usually shaped like a "T" — the arms of the T hold the device in place. There are two main types of intrauterine contraceptives: those that contain copper (which has a spermicidal effect), and those that release a progestogen (in the US the term progestin is used). Progestagens (also spelled progestogens or gestagens) are Hormones that produce effects similar to those of Progesterone, the only natural progestagen A progestin is a synthetic progestagen that has progestinic effects similar to Progesterone.

The terminology used for these devices differs in the United Kingdom and the United States. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located In the US, all devices which are placed in the uterus to prevent pregnancy are referred to as intra-uterine devices (IUDs) or intra-uterine contraceptive devices (IUCDs). An intrauterine device ( intra meaning within, and uterine meaning of the Uterus) is a Birth control device placed In the UK, only copper-containing devices are called IUDs (or IUCDs), and hormonal intrauterine contraceptives are referred to with the term Intra-Uterine System (IUS). Copper (ˈkɒpɚ is a Chemical element with the symbol Cu (cuprum and Atomic number 29 This may be because there are seven types of copper IUDs available in the UK, compared to only one in the US.

Emergency contraception

See also: Emergency contraceptive availability by country

Some combined pills and POPs may be taken in high doses to prevent pregnancy after a birth control failure (such as a condom breaking) or after unprotected sex. The following is a list of countries that allow access to dedicated-purpose emergency contraceptive pills Hormonal emergency contraception is also known as the "morning after pill," although it is licensed for use up to three days after intercourse.

Copper intrauterine devices may also be used as emergency contraception. For this use, they must be inserted within five days of the birth control failure or unprotected intercourse.

Emergency contraception appears to work by suppressing ovulation. ^[13][14] However, because it might prevent a fertilized egg from implanting, some people consider it a form of abortion. The details of the possible methods of action are still being studied.

Induced abortion

Abortion can be done with surgical methods, usually suction-aspiration abortion (in the first trimester) or dilation and evacuation (in the second trimester). An Vacuum or suction aspiration uses aspiration to remove the contents of the Uterus through the Cervix. Dilation and evacuation (also sometimes called dilation and extraction) literally refers to the dilation of the Cervix and surgical evacuation of the contents Medical abortion uses drugs to end a pregnancy and is approved for pregnancies where the length of gestation has not exceeded 8 weeks. A medical abortion is a type of non-surgical Abortion in which a drug is used to induce the abortion

Some herbs are believed to cause abortion (abortifacients). The efficacy of these plants as such has never been studied in humans. Some animal studies have found them to be effective on other species. Animal testing or animal research is the use of non-human Animals in scientific experimentation. ^[15][6] The use of herbs to induce abortion is not recommended due to the risk of serious side effects.

Abortion is subject to ethical debate. The ethical aspects of Abortion are much discussed in all major philosophies and Religions in the world particularly (but not exclusively in the Christian

Sterilization

Surgical sterilization is available in the form of tubal ligation for women and vasectomy for men. Sterilization (also spelled sterilisation) is a surgical technique leaving a male or female unable to reproduce. Tubal ligation (informally known as getting one's "tubes tied" is a permanent form of female sterilization, in which the Fallopian tubes are severed Vasectomy is a surgical procedure in which the vasa deferentia of a man are cut for the purpose of sterilization. In women, the process may be referred to as "tying the tubes," but the fallopian tubes may be tied, cut, clamped, or blocked. This serves to prevent sperm from joining the unfertilized egg. The non-surgical sterilization procedure, Essure, is an example of a procedure that blocks the tubes. Essure is a permanent sterilization procedure for women developed by Conceptus Inc and approved for use in the United States on November 4 2002 Sterilization should be considered permanent.

Behavioral methods

Behavioral methods involve regulating the timing or methods of intercourse to prevent the introduction of sperm into the female reproductive tract, either altogether or when an egg may be present.

Fertility awareness

Symptoms-based methods of fertility awareness involve a woman's observation and charting of her body's fertility signs, to determine the fertile and infertile phases of her cycle. Fertility awareness (FA refers to a set of practices used to determine the fertile and infertile phases of a woman's Menstrual cycle. Most methods track one or more of the three primary fertility signs:^[16] changes in basal body temperature, in cervical mucus, and in cervical position. Basal body temperature is the body temperature measured immediately after awakening and before any physical activity has been undertaken If a woman tracks both basal body temperature and another primary sign, the method is referred to as symptothermal. Some fertility monitoring devices use urinalysis to follow the levels of estrogen and luteinizing hormone throughout a woman's menstrual cycle. Estrogens (US otherwise oestrogens or œstrogens) are a group of Steroid compounds named for their importance in the Estrous cycle, Luteinizing hormone ( LH, also known as lutropin) is a Hormone produced by the Anterior pituitary gland. Other bodily cues such as mittelschmerz are considered secondary indicators. Mittelschmerz ( German: "middle pain" is a medical term for "ovulation pain" or "midcycle pain"

Calendar-based methods such as the Rhythm method and Standard Days Method are dissimilar from symptoms-based fertility awareness methods, in that they do not involve the observation or recording of bodily cues of fertility. Calendar-based methods are various methods of estimating a Woman 's likelihood of fertility based on a record of the length of previous Menstrual cycles Various Instead, statistical methods estimate the likelihood of fertility based on the length of past menstrual cycles. Statistical methods are less accurate than fertility awareness methods, and are considered by many fertility awareness teachers to have been obsolete for at least 20 years.

Charting of the menstrual cycle may be done by the woman on paper or with the assistance of software. The calendar-based methods may use a device such as CycleBeads. Symptoms-based methods may be assisted by fertility monitoring devices that accept and interpret temperature readings, information from home urinalysis tests, or both. A urinalysis (or "UA" is an array of tests performed on Urine and one of the most common methods of Medical Diagnosis. To avoid pregnancy with fertility awareness, unprotected sex is restricted to the least fertile period. During the most fertile period, barrier methods may be availed, or she may abstain from intercourse.

The term natural family planning (NFP) is sometimes used to refer to any use of FA methods. Natural family planning (NFP is a term referring to the Family planning methods approved by the Roman Catholic Church. However, this term specifically refers to the practices which are permitted by the Roman Catholic Church — breastfeeding infertility, and periodic abstinence during fertile times. Abstinence is a voluntary restraint from indulging a desire or appetite for certain bodily activities that are widely experienced as giving pleasure FA methods may be used by NFP users to identify these fertile times.

Coitus interruptus

Coitus interruptus (literally "interrupted sex"), also known as the withdrawal method, is the practice of ending sexual intercourse ("pulling out") before ejaculation. Coitus interruptus, also known as withdrawal or the pull-out method, is a method of Contraception in which a couple has Sexual intercourse The main risk of coitus interruptus is that the man may not perform the maneuver correctly, or may not perform the maneuver in a timely manner. Although concern has been raised about the risk of pregnancy from sperm in pre-ejaculate, several small studies^[2][3] have failed to find any viable sperm in the fluid. Pre-ejaculate (also known as pre-ejaculatory fluid or Cowper's fluid, and colloquially as pre-cum) is the clear colorless viscous fluid that

Avoiding vaginal intercourse

The risk of pregnancy from non-vaginal sex, such as outercourse (sex without penetration), anal sex, or oral sex is virtually zero. Non-penetrative sex (also known as outercourse and dry sex) is Sexual activity without Vaginal Anal, and Oral penetration Sexual penetration is the Penetration of a Bodily orifice, such as the Vagina, Anus or Mouth, with a body part or another object Anal sex most often refers to the sex act involving insertion of the Penis into the Rectum. Oral sex refers to sexual activities involving the use of the Mouth, and may include use of the Tongue, Teeth, and Throat, in order (A very small risk comes from the possibility of semen leaking onto the vulva (with anal sex) or coming into contact with an object, such as a hand, that later contacts the vulva. Physiological aspects Internal and external fertilization Depending on the Species, spermatozoa can fertilize The vulva (from Latin, vulva, plural vulvae or vulvas; see etymology) is the region of the external genital organs )

Abstinence

Sexual abstinence is the practice of refraining from all sexual activity. Sexual abstinence is the practice of voluntarily refraining from some or all aspects of Sexual activity.

Lactational

Most breastfeeding women have a period of infertility after the birth of their child. The lactational amenorrhea method, or LAM, gives guidelines for determining the length of a woman's period of breastfeeding infertility. The lactational amenorrhea method (LAM is a method of avoiding pregnancies which is based on the natural Postpartum infertility that occurs when a woman is amenorrheic

Methods in development

For females

• Praneem is a polyherbal vaginal tablet being studied as a spermicide, and a microbicide active against HIV. Spermicide is a substance that kills sperm, inserted vaginally prior to intercourse to prevent pregnancy A microbicide is any compound or substance whose purpose is to reduce the infectivity of microbes such as Viruses or bacteria. ^[17]
• BufferGel is a spermicidal gel being studied as a microbicide active against HIV. ^[18]
• Duet is a disposable diaphragm in development that will be pre-filled with BufferGel. ^[19] It is designed to deliver microbicide to both the cervix and vagina. A microbicide is any compound or substance whose purpose is to reduce the infectivity of microbes such as Viruses or bacteria. Unlike currently available diaphragms, the Duet will be manufactured in only one size and will not require a prescription, fitting, or a visit to a doctor. ^[18]
• The SILCS diaphragm is a silicone barrier which is still in clinical testing. The SILCS diaphragm is a Silicone Barrier contraceptive device which is inserted Vaginally to cover the Cervix. Silicones are largely inert compounds with a wide variety of forms and uses It has a finger cup molded on one end for easy removal. Like the Duet, the SILCS is novel in that it will only be available in one size.
• A vaginal ring is being developed that releases both estrogen and progesterone, and is effective for over 12 months. Vaginal rings (also known as intravaginal rings, or V-Rings) are 'doughnut-shaped' polymeric Drug delivery devices designed to provide controlled release ^[20]
• Two types of progestogen-only vaginal rings are being developed. Progestogen-only products may be particularly useful for women who are breastfeeding. ^[20] The rings may be used for four months at a time. ^[21]
• A progesterone-only contraceptive is being developed that would be sprayed onto the skin once a day. ^[22]
• Quinacrine sterilization and the Adiana procedure are two permanent methods of birth control being developed. Quinacrine (trade name Atabrine) is a drug with a number of different medical applications being initially used in the 1930s as an Antimalarial drug ^[23]

For males

Main article: Male contraceptive

Other than condoms and withdrawal, there are currently no available methods of reversible contraception which males can use or control. The only forms of Contraceptives currently available to men are Condoms the withdrawal method, and Vasectomy. Several methods are in research and development:

• As of 2007, a chemical called Adjudin is currently in Phase II human trials as a male oral contraceptive. The phrase research and development (also R and D or more often R&D) according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, refers Adjudin (AF-2364 also 1-(24-dichlorobenzyl-1H-indazole-3-carbohydrazide is an analogue of Lonidamine, an indazole-carboxylic acid A male oral contraceptive is not commercially available to the public although several forms are in various stages of research and development ^[24]

• RISUG (Reversible Inhibition of Sperm Under Guidance), is an experimental injection into the vas deferens that coats the walls of the vas with a spermicidal substance. Reversible Inhibition of Sperm Under Guidance ( RISUG) formerly referred to as SMA, is the development name of a Male contraceptive developed at IIT The vas deferens (plural vasa deferentia also called ductus deferens, ( Latin: "carrying-away vessel" is part of the Male Anatomy The method can potentially be reversed by washing out the vas deferens with a second injection.

• Experiments in vas-occlusive contraception involve an implant placed in the vasa deferentia. Vas-occlusive contraception is an experimental Male contraceptive method that is not yet approved for general use The vas deferens (plural vasa deferentia also called ductus deferens, ( Latin: "carrying-away vessel" is part of the Male Anatomy

• Experiments in heat-based contraception involve heating a man's testicles to a high temperature for a short period of time. An experimental Male contraceptive method involves Heating the Testicles so that they cannot produce sperm.

Misconceptions

Modern misconceptions and urban legends have given rise to a great deal of false claims:

• The suggestion that douching with any substance immediately following intercourse works as a contraceptive is untrue. An urban legend or urban myth is a form of modern Folklore consisting of stories thought to be factual by those circulating them Overview Vaginal douches may consist of water water mixed with Vinegar, or even Antiseptic chemicals While it may seem like a sensible idea to try to wash the ejaculate out of the vagina, it is not likely to be effective. Due to the nature of the fluids and the structure of the female reproductive tract – if anything, douching spreads semen further towards the uterus. Some slight spermicidal effect may occur if the douche solution is particularly acidic, but overall it is not scientifically observed to be a reliably effective method.
• It is a myth that a female cannot become pregnant as a result of the first time she engages in sexual intercourse.
• While women are usually less fertile for the first few days of menstruation,^[25] it is a myth that a woman absolutely cannot get pregnant if she has sex during her period. The menstrual cycle is a recurring cycle of physiologic changes that occurs in reproductive-age Females Overt menstruation (where there is blood flow from the
• Having sex in a hot tub does not prevent pregnancy, but may contribute to vaginal infections.
• Although some sex positions may encourage pregnancy, no sexual positions prevent pregnancy. This list of sex positions includes descriptions of various forms of Sexual intercourse and other sexual acts between people Having sex while standing up or with a woman on top will not keep the sperm from entering the uterus. The force of ejaculation, the contractions of the uterus caused by prostaglandins in the semen, as well as ability of sperm to swim overrides gravity. A prostaglandin is any member of a group of Lipid compounds that are derived enzymatically from Fatty acids and have important functions in the Animal body
• Urinating after sex does not prevent pregnancy and is not a form of birth control, although it is often advised anyway to help prevent urinary tract infections. A urinary tract infection ( UTI) is a bacterial Infection that affects any part of the Urinary tract. ^[26]
• Toothpaste cannot be used as an effective contraceptive^[27]

Effectiveness

See also the table at: Comparison of birth control methods

Effectiveness is measured by how many women become pregnant using a particular birth control method in the first year of use. Different types of Birth control methods have large differences in effectiveness actions required of users and side effects Thus, if 100 women use a method that has a 12 percent first-year failure rate, then sometime during the first year of use, 12 of the women should become pregnant.

The most effective methods in typical use are those that do not depend upon regular user action. Surgical sterilization, Depo-Provera, implants, and intrauterine devices (IUDs) all have first-year failure rates of less than one percent for perfect use. Sterilization, implants, and IUDs also have typical failure rates under one percent. The typical failure rate of Depo-Provera is disagreed upon, with figures ranging from less than one percent up to three percent. ^[28][29]

Other methods may be highly effective if used consistently and correctly, but can have typical use first-year failure rates that are considerably higher due to incorrect or ineffective usage by the user. Hormonal contraceptive pills, patches or rings, fertility awareness methods, and the lactational amenorrhea method (LAM), if used strictly, have first-year (or for LAM, first-6-month) failure rates of less than 1%. ^{[30][31][32][33]} In one survey, typical use first-year failure rates of hormonal contraceptive pills (and by extrapolation, patches or rings) were as high as five percent per year. Fertility awareness methods as a whole have typical use first-year failure rates as high as 25 percent per year; however, as stated above, perfect use of these methods reduces the first-year failure rate to less than 1%. ^[28]

Condoms and cervical barriers such as the diaphragm have similar typical use first-year failure rates (14 and 20 percent, respectively), but perfect usage of the condom is more effective (three percent first-year failure vs six percent) and condoms have the additional feature of helping to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases such as the HIV virus. A sexually transmitted disease ( STD) or venereal disease ( VD) is an illness that has a significant probability of transmission between Humans Human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV) is a Lentivirus (a member of the Retrovirus family that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome The withdrawal method, if used consistently and correctly, has a first-year failure rate of four percent. Due to the difficulty of consistently using withdrawal correctly, it has a typical use first-year failure rate of 19 percent,^[28] and is not recommended by some medical professionals. ^[34]

Protection against sexually transmitted infections

Not all methods of birth control offer protection against sexually transmitted infections. Abstinence from all forms of sexual behavior will protect against the sexual transmission of these infections. Human sexual behavior or different human sexual practices encompass a wide range of activities such as strategies to find or attract partners ( Mating and display The male latex condom offers some protection against some of these diseases with correct and consistent use, as does the female condom, although the latter has only been approved for vaginal sex. Sexual intercourse, in its biological sense is the act in which the male reproductive organ (in humans and other higher animals enters the female reproductive tract The female condom may offer greater protection against sexually transmitted infections that pass through skin to skin contact, as the outer ring covers more exposed skin than the male condom, and can be used during anal sex to guard against sexually transmitted infections. However, the female condom can be difficult to use. Frequently a woman can improperly insert it, even if she believes she is using it correctly.

The remaining methods of birth control do not offer significant protection against the sexual transmission of these diseases.

However, so-called sexually transmitted infections may also be transmitted non-sexually, and therefore, abstinence from sexual behavior does not guarantee 100 percent protection against sexually transmitted infections. For example, HIV may be transmitted through contaminated needles which may be used in intravenous drug use, tattooing, body piercing, or injections. A tattoo is a permanent marking made by inserting ink into the layers of Skin to change the pigment for decorative or other reasons Body piercing is the practice of puncturing or cutting a part of the Human body, creating an opening in which jewelry may be worn An injection is an infusion method of putting Liquid into the Body, usually with a hollow needle and a Syringe which is pierced through Health-care workers have acquired HIV through occupational exposure to accidental injuries with needles. ^[35]

Religious and cultural attitudes

Religious views on birth control

Main article: Religious views on birth control

Religions vary widely in their views of the ethics of birth control. Religious adherents vary widely in their views on Birth control. Ethics is a major branch of Philosophy, encompassing right conduct and good life In Christianity, the Roman Catholic Church accepts only Natural Family Planning,^[36] while Protestants maintain a wide range of views from allowing none to very lenient. Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings Natural family planning (NFP is a term referring to the Family planning methods approved by the Roman Catholic Church. Protestantism refers to the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated in the 16th century Protestant Reformation. Quiverfull is a movement among conservative evangelical Protestant Christian couples chiefly in the United States, but ^[37] Views in Judaism range from the stricter Orthodox sect to the more relaxed Reform sect. Judaism (from the Greek Ioudaïsmos, derived from the Hebrew יהודה Yehudah, " Judah " in Hebrew יַהֲדוּת Yahedut Orthodox Judaism is the formulation of Judaism that adheres to a relatively strict interpretation and application of the laws and ethics first canonized Hi and welcome to Wikipedia! Please understand that this article is frequently subjected to vandalism and the insertion of personal opinions ^[38] In Islam, contraceptives are allowed if they do not threaten health or lead to sterility, although their use is discouraged. For other meanings including people named 'Islam' see Islam (disambiguation. ^[39] Hindus may use both natural and artificial contraceptives. Hinduism is a religious tradition that originated in the Indian subcontinent. ^[40]

Birth control education

Many teenagers, most commonly in developed countries, receive some form of sex education in school. Sex education is a broad term used to describe Education about human sexual anatomy, Sexual reproduction, Sexual intercourse, Reproductive What information should be provided in such programs is hotly contested, especially in the United States and Great Britain. Possible topics include reproductive anatomy, human sexual behavior, information on sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), social aspects of sexual interaction, negotiating skills intended to help teens follow through with a decision to remain abstinent or to use birth control during sex, and information on birth control methods.

One type of sex education program used mainly in the United States is called abstinence-only education, and it promotes sexual abstinence until marriage. Abstinence-only sex education is a form of Sex education that emphasizes Abstinence from sex to the exclusion of all other types of Sexual and reproductive Sexual abstinence is the practice of voluntarily refraining from some or all aspects of Sexual activity. NOTICE TO WOULD-BE ROMEOS ************** The programs do not encourage birth control, often provide inaccurate information about contraceptives and sexuality^[41], stress failure rates of condoms and other contraceptives, and teach strategies for avoiding sexually intimate situations. Advocates of abstinence-only education believe that the programs will result in decreased rates of teenage pregnancy and STD infection. In a non-random, Internet survey of 1,400 women who found and completed a 10-minute multiple-choice online questionnaire listed in one of several popular search engines, women who received sex education from schools providing primarily abstinence information, or contraception and abstinence information equally, reported fewer unplanned pregnancies than those who received primarily contraceptive information, who in turn reported fewer unplanned pregnancies than those who received no information. The Internet is a global system of interconnected Computer networks For the 1974 John Wayne Crime drama movie see McQ. Multiple choice is a form of Assessment in which respondents With the increasing use of the Internet online questionnaires have become a popular way of collecting information ^[42] However, randomized controlled trials demonstrate that abstinence-only sex education programs increase the rates of pregnancy and STDs in the teenage population. A randomized controlled trial (RCT is a type of scientific Experiment most commonly used in testing the Efficacy or Effectiveness of Healthcare ^[43][44] Professional medical organizations, including the AMA, AAP, ACOG, APHA, and Society for Adolescent Medicine, support comprehensive sex education (providing abstinence and contraceptive information) and oppose the sole use of abstinence-only sex education. The American Medical Association (AMA founded in 1847 and incorporated 1897 is the largest association of Physicians and Medical students in the United States The American Academy of Pediatrics ( AAP) is an organization of Pediatricians physicians trained to deal with the medical care of infants children and adolescents The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists ( ACOG) is a Professional association of Medical doctors specializing in Obstetrics and The American Public Health Association (APHA is Washington DC Adolescent medicine is a medical subspecialty that focuses on care of patients who are in the Adolescent period of development ^[45][46]

See also

• Population control
• One-child policy
• Childless by choice
• Reproductive Health
• Natalism, promoting childbirth

References

External links

• Ingenious: an archive of historical images related to obstetrics, gynaecology, and contraception.
• Family Planning: A Global Handbook for Providers USAID, WHO, Johns Hopkins INFO Project, 2007

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