The significance of family planning
aking conscious choices are in our very own hands. With a fast paced world, quality of care that one intends on achieving is difficult but possible. And Covid-19 knocking on doors, everyone around us have become vigilant and aware in terms of one's health. Having said that, reproductive health is ignored at the most by individuals. In India, where sex is a taboo, safe sex practices, terms like family planning, abortions (easy when its a girl child, puff), is a far-fetched phenomenon. With the regressive practices in our Indian heartland, ‘Contraception’ is considered frenzy and sometimes ‘unenjoyable’.
September 26, observed as World Contraception Day, calls on all couples and individuals to decide freely and responsibly on the number and spacing of their children. With that, contraceptives play an important role as contraception not only covers aspects of safe sex and prevents incidence of sexually transmitted diseases but majorly plays a role in controlling unintended pregnancies thus furthering family planning decisions.
What are different types of contraceptives available?
Condoms: Also known as barrier contraceptive as they form a barrier the male and female reproductive organs
and thus prevents sperm from entering the vagina. This reduces chances of fertilisation and conception does not occur. Condoms, both for men and women, are easily available in the market.
Contraceptive Pills: The birth control pill is a type of contraception that contains
hormones, estrogen or/and progesterone, that prevent pregnancy. People call it “the pill” because it comes in pill form. The pill is most effective when you take it for a duration of 21 days or as advised by your doctor, following which 'false period' happens.
The other contraceptive options include Intrauterine device also known as Copper
T, which is a long term solution but not a permanent one. There are permanent sterilisation options for both men and women. Female sterilisation is an operation to permanently prevent pregnancy. The fallopian tubes are blocked or sealed to prevent the eggs reaching the sperm and becoming fertilised. In men, a surgical procedure to cut or seal the tubes that carry a man's sperm to permanently prevent pregnancy, called vasectomy. When Michael Scott in The Office expressed his displeasure over the three vasectomies and the physical toll it took on him, we could only imagine what he might have gone through.