FAMILY PLANNING METHODS

Objectives:

 Enumerate and describe briefly the different family planning methods.

 Form sound judgement in the use of family planning methods.
There are number of safe, legal, and acceptable methods available to a couple who wish to limit
the size of their family. Since there is no perfect, easy, inexpensive means, each man and woman
should understand the advantages and disadvantages of each method and choose the one which
best suits them.
In selecting a method, the following factors must be carefully considered.
1. Safety - the methods should be free from harmful side effects both for person using the
method and for the sexual partner.
2. Effectiveness - it must be effective in preventing an unwanted pregnancy.
3. Ease of administration - if it is to be applied by the person like the chemical or mechanical
devices, it has to be simple and easy.
4. Availability – the method should not only be cheap but readily available.

TYPES OF FAMILY PLANNING METHODS:

A. NATURAL/HORMONAL
1. Rhythm method
A normal menstrual cycle consists of 28 days. The first day of menstruation is counted as
Day 1. For a woman with a regular menstrual cycle, 11th day to 18th day are the unsafe time.
During these days, she should abstain from sexual intercourse. If the menstrual period is
irregular, the woman should be more careful in noting down her cycle for 12 months. The first
unsafe day is obtained by deducting 19 from the shortest day of the last 12 cycles.
For example, if the shortest is 26 days, then 26-19=7 days, therefore pregnancy is possible from
the 7th day. The unsafe day is possible from the 7th day.
The last unsafe day is obtained by deducting 11 from the longest of the last 12 cycles. If the
longest is 32 days, then 32-11=21 days. In this example, pregnancy would be possible from 7th
day to 21st. Intercourse would only be safe from 1st day to 6th day and 22nd day to the end of the
cycle.
The calendar or rhythm method is very risky to women with short cycles and those with
irregular menstrual cycle.
2. Temperature method
The woman’s temperature should be from 0.2 to 0.5 C at the time of ovulation. The
temperature should be recorded every morning before getting out of bed and before taking any
food or drink. Leave the thermometer for at least 3 minutes in the mouth.
3. Withdrawal
This is the oldest method of contraception. The couple can have intercourse until the
moment of the man’s climax when he has to withdraw his penis before ejaculation. Care must
 be taken to prevent any of the sperm from reaching the entrance of the vagina. The
disadvantage of this method is the man may find it frustrating and the woman may not reach a
climax as a result of his withdrawal.

B. ARTIFICIAL METHODS
1. Pills
The pill contains synthetic hormones which prevent ovulation. If there is no egg to be
fertilized by the sperm, contraception cannot occur. A woman who takes the pill is actually
ingesting a a daily dose of estrogen and/or progesterone which produce changes in the cervical
mucus, fallopian tubes, and uterus which are unfavorable to sperm penetration and transport as
well as to implantation. As long as she religiously follows directions, a pill user will not get
pregnant. The pill is 99 percent effective as a family planning method. Only thise who forget to
take it as prescribed conceive.
2. Intrauterine Device (IUD)
IUD is a small plastic or stainless steel object about 2.5 centimeters in diameter and
with a nylon tail. It is inserted into the uterus by a doctor or trained medical technician. It
prevents the implantation of the fertilized ovum because of its effect on the walls of the uterus.
It also triggers muscular action to make the egg enter the womb before it is ready for
implantation. It also maintains a chemical reaction which tends to weaken or destroy sperm.
3. Condom
It is a thin sheath made of synthetic rubber or similar material which is worn tightly
over the male sex organ during sexual intercourse. It holds and prevents the sperm from being
deposited in the vagina, or even coming in contact with the woman’s body.

C. PERMANENT METHODS
1. Tubal Ligation
It is an operation by which the fallopian tubes are cut and tied to block the passage of
the egg from the ova.
2. Vasectomy
It is a surgical procedure for male sterilization or permanent contraception. During the
procedure, the male vas deferens are severed and then tied or sealed in a manner so as to
prevent sperm from entering into the seminal stream (ejaculate) and thereby prevent
fertilization. Vasectomies are usually performed in a physician's office, medical clinic, or, when
performed on an animal, in a veterinary clinic— hospitalization is not normally required as the
procedure is not complicated, the incisions small, and the necessary equipment routine.

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