FAMILY PLANNING AND THE EFFECT ON POPULATION.

Abstract.
Family planning and population growth work hand in hand, although, the two are totally different
concepts. The purpose of this research paper is to revisit both concepts and show their connection. I
have studied family planning and population and I have identified the basic functionalities through
different sources. In the conclusion section of this research paper I have explained their relationship.

I- Introduction.
Family planning is a method that allows individuals decide if and when to have children (UNFPA, n.d),
and they include a variety of options like pills, implants, surgical procedures that limit fertility. There
are also “non-invasive” procedures like the calendar method, and abstinence. Failed contraception had
been a major problem in over populated countries. Ecuavo (2016) says “causes of overpopulation are
different for many countries but are mostly associated with poverty, reduced mortality rates, poor
medical access, poor contraceptive use as well as immigration.” Poor family planning can lead to
unexpected pregnancy and a study by the World Health Organisation (WHO) shows that the usage figure
dropped to 43% in countries with high issues like poverty (Ecuavo, 2016).

However, family planning keeps on evolving as technology advances. This research paper gives a brief
history of family planning types of family planning and how countries have decided to handle it and
create awareness for family planning. The purpose of this research is to explain family planning.

II- Defining family planning

In the 16th century, family planning has been in practice by the Djennè people of southern Mali. This
happened due to the fact that physicians advised the women of that tribe to space their children
(Wikipedia, n.d). Therefore, “family planning is having the desired number of children and when you
want to have them by using safe and effective modern methods.” (Department of health, n.d). Family
planning has helped couples space their children and helped nations minimize their population
contraceptive methods.

Contraception methods include “oral contraceptive pills, implants, injectables, patches, vaginal rings,
intra uterine devices, condoms, male and female sterilization, lactational amenorrhea methods,
withdrawal and fertility awareness based methods” (World Health Organisation, 2020).
 Effectiveness: Effectiveness:
pregnancies per 100 pregnancies per
“Method How it works women per year 100 women per
with consistent and year as commonly
correct use used

Combined oral Prevents the release of

0.3
contraceptives eggs from the ovaries 7
 
(COCs) or “the pill” (ovulation)

Thickens cervical mucous

Progestogen-only
to block sperm and egg
pills (POPs) or "the 0.3 7
from meeting and prevents
minipill"
ovulation

Thickens cervical mucous

to blocks sperm and egg
Implants 0.1 0.1
from meeting and prevents
ovulation

Thickens cervical mucous

Progestogen only to block sperm and egg 0.2
4
injectables from meeting and prevents  
ovulation

Monthly injectables or Prevents the release of

combined injectable eggs from the ovaries 0.05 3
contraceptives (CIC) (ovulation)

Combined
7 (for patch)
contraceptive patch Prevents the release of 0.3 (for patch)
 
and combined eggs from the ovaries  
7 (for contraceptive
contraceptive vaginal (ovulation) 0.3 (for vaginal ring)
vaginal ring)
ring (CVR)

Copper component
Intrauterine device
damages sperm and
(IUD): copper 0.6 0.8
prevents it from meeting
containing
the egg

Thickens cervical mucous

Intrauterine device
to block sperm and egg 0.5 0.7
(IUD) levonorgestrel
from meeting

Forms a barrier to prevent

Male condoms sperm and egg from 2 13
meeting

Female condoms Forms a barrier to prevent 5 21

sperm and egg from
 Effectiveness: Effectiveness:
pregnancies per 100 pregnancies per
“Method How it works women per year 100 women per
with consistent and year as commonly
correct use used

meeting  

Male sterilization Keeps sperm out of

0.1 0.15
(Vasectomy) ejaculated semen

Female sterilization Eggs are blocked from

0.5 0.5
(tubal ligation) meeting sperm

Lactational Prevents the release of

amenorrhea method eggs from the ovaries 0.9 (in six months) 2 (in six months)
(LAM) (ovulation)

Prevents pregnancy by
Standard Days avoiding unprotected
5 12
Method or SDM vaginal sex during most
fertile days.

Prevents pregnancy by Reliable effectiveness

Basal Body
avoiding unprotected rates are not
Temperature (BBT)  
vaginal sex during fertile available
Method
days  

Prevents pregnancy by
avoiding unprotected 4
TwoDay Method 14
vaginal sex during most  
fertile days,

Prevents pregnancy by
Sympto-thermal avoiding unprotected
<1 2
Method vaginal sex during most
fertile

< 1 for  ulipristal

Emergency Prevents or delays the acetate ECPs
contraception pills release of eggs from the  1 for progestin-only
(ulipristal acetate 30 ovaries. Pills taken to ECPs  
mg or levonorgestrel prevent pregnancy up to 5 2 for combined
1.5 mg) days after unprotected sex estrogen and
progestin ECPs

Calendar method or The couple prevents Reliable effectiveness 15

rhythm method pregnancy by avoiding rates are not
unprotected vaginal sex available
during the 1st and last
 Effectiveness: Effectiveness:
pregnancies per 100 pregnancies per
“Method How it works women per year 100 women per
with consistent and year as commonly
correct use used

estimated fertile days, by

abstaining or using a
condom.

Tries to keep sperm out of

Withdrawal (coitus 4
the woman's body, 20”
interruptus)  
preventing fertilization

(World Health Organisation, n.d).

Family planning is beneficial to both individuals, communities and families. However, there are three
major purpose family planning serves; couples avoid unwanted pregnancies, reduction of spread of
sexually transmitted diseases, also it reduces the rates of infertility (ncbi, et al., n.d).

III- Family planning effect on population.

Family planning has improved maternal health and child survival. Family planning helps children getting
pregnant too early, too late, or too often, which has helped both the mother and the child.

Family planning has also reduced the number of abortions, both safe and unsafe.

Family planning has prevented sexually transmitted infections in both male and female, even so that HIV
positive women are better able to prevent unplanned pregnancies and birth.

Family planning has empowered women to control the timing of their children.

Family planning has also promoted social and economic development and security by reducing the rate
of population growth by birth.

Finally, it protects the environment from degradation and strains in the world resources.

Conclusion.
Family planning has helped nations and individuals minimize their birth rates. Which has led to an
increase in the number of women deciding to use family planning over the past few decades.
Consequently, the number of women using a modern contraceptive method increased from 663 million
to 851 million” (WHO, n.d). Population of the world has been minimized due to family planning.

References.

Department of Health. (n.d). What is family planning? https://doh.gov.ph/faqs/What-is-family-planning

Ecuavo. (n.d). Causes of overpopulation and their effect. https://ecavo.com/overpopulation-causes-
effects-solutions

NCBI, NLM, NIH. (n.d). Overview of family planning in the United states.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK215219/

UNFPA. (n.d). Family planning. https://www.unfpa.org/family-planning#readmore-expand

Wikipedia. (n.d). Family planning. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_planning

World Health Organisation. (n.d). Family planning/contraception methods. https://www.who.int/news-

room/fact-sheets/detail/family-planning-contraception