FAMILY PLANNING

METHODS
 One very important component of population education is family planning which is generally
understood as regulation of fertility so as to have limited number of children. To attain this, one
must understand the advantages and disadvantages of each method of family planning and
choose which suits them the most.
Family planning methods are classified as:
 folk methods
 behavioral methods
 mechanical contraceptives
 chemical contraceptives
 Intrauterine devices
 Oral contraceptives
 Surgical methods of fertilization
CLASSIFICATION OF FAMILY
PLANNING METHODS
 1. FOLK METHODS

The folk methods consist of the postcoital

douche or douching and prolonged
lactation strategies.
POSTCOITAL
DOUCHING
Postcoital douching is done by flushing the
vagina with medicated solution immediately
after intercourse to remove or kill the sperms.
This practice is relatively ineffective as the sperm
cells may have entered the cervical canal and
are unaffected. Frequent douching may also
damage the vaginal lining.
 PROLONGED
LACTATION

Prolonged Lactation, an ancient

practice of preventing
pregnancy, is prolonged
breastfeeding which delays
ovulation. This practice is safe
and free but it may not be
effective to those whose
ovulation period returns from two
to four months after a baby’s
delivery.
2. BEHAVIORAL METHODS

 Behavioral methods of avoiding

pregnancy don’t use hormones (such as
the birth control pill), or physical methods
(such as condoms).
NATURAL METHOD OR RHYTHM
METHOD

The natural method of family planning does not

require the use of any drug, chemical or plastic
sheaths. It is commonly known as rhythm method
because its success depends upon the woman’s
monthly menstrual cycle. The husband simply
refrains from having sexual intercourse which his
wife during the latter’s fertile period.
 OVULATION
METHOD
The fertile period could be determined
through the use of the calendar, thermometer
or appearance of cervical mucus or vaginal
discharge in the vaginal canal. For women
with normal regular cycles, the body
temperature usually drops sharply a day or
two before ovulation and rises after ovulation
has occurred. The presence of mucus or
vaginal discharge in the vaginal canal which
is usually occurs three days after menstruation
is a sure indication that ovulation is soon to
occur. This is the time women feel the
“wetness”. Although one does not see it, the
first discharge of mucus is usually yellowish
which soon turns clearer and more sleeper.
This is referred to as the “peak symptom” and
sexual union should be avoided. For the
rhythm method to be successful, both
husband and wife must have open
communication, understanding and high
motivation.
WITHDRAWAL METHOD
The withdrawal method is known as
coitus interrptus because the act of
sexual intercourse is interrupted by the
withdrawal of the male organ prior to its
ejaculation. This calls for maximum self-
control and precise timing on the part of
the male. However, even if practiced
perfectly, this method could be
unreliable due to the emission of pre-
ejaculatory fluid over which the
husband has no control. This fluid may
contain enough sperm cells that may
cause pregnancy. Another
disadvantage of this method is the
deprivation of considerable physical
satisfaction for both husband and wife
which may later have psychological
effects.
3. MECHANICAL CONTRACPTIVES

 are devices that provide a physical barrier

between the sperm and the egg. Examples of
mechanical barriers include the male condom,
female condom, diaphragm, cervical cap, and
sponge. The condom is the only contraceptive
method that helps prevent sexually transmitted
infections (STIs).
 THE CONDOM

A condom is a thin sheath of

elastic rubber worn by the male
over the penis during sexual
intercourse. The sheath prevents
the male sperm from entering the
female uterus, thus preventing the
possibility of conception. This
method is cheap because
condoms are sold cheaply and
are readily available. One of the
advantages of using condoms is
that risk of contracting sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs) such
as AIDS, syphilis, gonorrhea, and
others, is minimized.
THE DIAPHRAGM
The diaphragm is a shallow
rubber cup with flexible spring
that is compressed and
inserted into the vagina so
that it fits snugly over the
cervix. It is usually covered
with spermicidal jelly or
cream to prevent the entry of
sperms into the uterus. When
used correctly and properly,
it can be very effective. A
doctor has to check it
annually to see that it stays in
place. Sometimes,
diaphragms are dislodged
during sexual union.
THE CERVICAL CAP
The cervical cap is
made of rubber with
tapering dome
appearance designed
to fit snugly over the
cervix. When fitted by
a doctor, it stays in
place during sexual
intercourse and over
longer periods.
4. CHEMICAL CONTRACEPTIVES

 Chemical birth control consists of spermicides,

or products designed to kill live sperm. Gels,
foams and films are available. Alone, these
products offer only a limited level of
contraceptive protection, so they are most
commonly used with a barrier method.
VAGINAL SUPPOSITORIES
AND TABLETS
The vaginal suppository is a small bullet-
shaped substance containing chemicals
capable of killing sperms. It is inserted into
the vagina 10-15 minutes prior to
intercourse. Likewise, the vaginal foaming
tablet is moistened with water or saliva
then inserted to vagina 10-15 minutes
before intercourse. It melts inside the
vagina and forms a coat of foam to
prevent the sperms from entering the
uterus. These suppositories and tablets are
very convenient and need no prescription
from a doctor. They, however, are not
readily available.
 JELLIES, CREAMS, AND
VAGINAL FOAMS
Jellies, creams, and vaginal
foams are often packaged in
bottles and sold with plastic
applicators. They are inserted
into the vagina just before sexual
intercourse. The purpose is to
immobilize or kill the sperms. The
spermicides, however, only last
for at least an hour. There should
be no douching or washing of
vagina for six hours after
intercourse for effective usage.
5. INTRAUTERINE DEVICE

 The object known as the intrauterine device resembles

a coil made plastic or metal and is inserted properly into
the uterus through the cervical canal by a doctor.
When IUD properly fits the cervical canal, it becomes
safe to perform sexual intercourse. However, many
women refrain from using the IUD as it usually causes
bleeding. Sometimes, it is expelled through minimum
pushing during sexual intercourse. When used in sexual
intercourse, the IUD should be properly inserted and
regularly checked by a doctor.
INTRAUTERINE
DEVICE
6. ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE: THE PILL

 The pill or oral contraceptive is taken in through the

mouth. It made up of synthetic hormones that prevent
conception by inhibiting the ovaries from releasing egg
cells. The pills have to be taken regularly for 21 days
based on the woman’s menstrual cycle. The first pill is
taken by the 5th day of menstruation and continued for
20-21 days each month. When it is stopped,
menstruation occurs. The pill, however, is known to have
caused some side effects, the most serious of which is
blood clotting especially among women over forty
years of age.
ORAL
CONTRACEPTIVE:
THE PILL
7. THE INJECTABLES

 One of the latest methods of family planning is

the used of an injectable contraceptive drug
known as DepProvera (DMPA). instead of taking
pills, a woman is injected with this drug at the
hip muscle. The effectivity of one injection lasts
for three months. Some side effects of women
derive from using DepProvera (DMPA) were
reported to include headaches, bloating of the
abdomen or breasts and mood changes.
THE
INJECTABLES
8. SURGICAL METHODS OF STERILIZATION

 Surgical sterilization is a safe, convenient, highly

effective, and permanent form of contraception. The
most common surgical sterilization procedure for
women is called a tubal ligation or having the "tubes
tied." The fallopian tubes are the passageway for the
egg to travel from the ovary to the uterus. This is where
the egg becomes fertilized by the male's sperm prior to
traveling to the uterus. In tubal sterilization, the fallopian
tubes are both cut, separated and tied, sealed shut, or
completely removed. This prevents the egg and sperm
from meeting and thus prevents pregnancy.
TUBAL LIGATION FOR
WOMEN
Tubal ligation refers to the act of tying or
cutting the fallopian tube to make a
woman sterile. When the fallopian tubes
are severed or tied, no egg cell could
pass from the ovary to the uterus. Thus,
when the egg is prevented from meeting
the sperm, no pregnancy occurs. The
tubal ligation method is 100 percent
effective. So, before a mother submits
herself for ligation, she must be very true
that she does not want to conceive
anymore.
VASECTOMY FOR MEN
Vasectomy for men is a minor and cheap
operation done within 15-20minutes wherein
the male vas deferens, a tube-like passage
that stems from each testis that produces
the sperm is cut or tied. The sperms pass
through the vas deferens to the seminal
vesicle where they mix with the semen
before they are discharged from the male
organ into the female genital tract during
intercourse. Once the vas deferens is cut or
tied: the sperm cells cannot mix with the
semen thus preventing pregnancy on a
woman. The male body will still continue to
produce sperm cells but these are absorbed
by the body. This process is medically known
as phagocytosis.
ABORTION

 Abortion is the interruption of pregnancy

before the fetus is mature enough to
survive outside the womb (Zaide, 1998).
Catholics strongly believe that abortion is
immoral or illegal and do not accept it as
a family planning method. Abortion
deprives the unborn child of its rights to
life. Abortion places women’s live in
grave danger.
ABORTION