Birth Control:

Major birth control programmes mostly motivate people about small by using major contraceptive methods. Ideal contraceptive should be:

1) Easily available

2) User friendly

3) Effective and reversible with least or no side effects.

Methods of birth control:

There are six major types of contraceptions are discussed here:

1) Natural methods:

It is further of three types:

a) Periodic abstinence: It is one such method in which the couples avoid coitus from day 10 to 17 of the menstrual cycle when ovulation could be expected. As chances of fertilisation are very high during this period, it is called the fertile period. Therefore, by abstaining from coitus during this period, conception could be prevented.

b) Withdrawal or coitus interruptus: It  is another method in which the male partner withdraws his penis from the vagina just before ejaculation so as to avoid insemination.

c) Lactational amenorrhea: This method is based on the fact that ovulation and cycle do not occur during the period of (breast feeding) or intense lactation after parturition. So, the chances of conception are almost nil at this time.

2) Barrier methods:

These methods prevent the meeting of sperm with egg by using barriers. It is further of three types:

a) Condoms: These are barriers made of thin rubber or latex sheath that are used to cover the penis in the male or vagina and cervix in the female, just before coitus so that the ejaculated semen would not enter into the female reproductive tract. ‘Nirodh’ is a popular brand of condom for the male. Their use has been  increased very much as they also  protect  the user from  (sexually transmitted diseases )STDs and AIDS.

B) Diaphragms, cervical caps and vaults: These are also barriers made of rubber that are inserted into the female reproductive tract to cover the cervix during coitus. They prevent conception by blocking the entry of sperms through the cervix. They are reusable.

c) Spermicidal creams, jellies and foams: These are usually used alongwith the above barriers to increase their contraceptive efficiency.

3) Intra uterine devices:

These devices are inserted by doctors or expert nurses in the uterus through vagina. IUDs increase phagocytosis of sperms within the uterus. IUDs are ideal contraceptives for the females, who want to delay pregnancy and/or space children. It is one of most widely accepted methods of contraception in India. They are further of three types:
a)Non-medicated IUDs: They increases the phegocytosis of sperm within the uterus.

For example, Lippes loop.

b) Copper releasing IUDs: The Cu ions released suppress sperm motility and the fertilising capacity of sperms.

For example, (CuT, Cu7, Multiload 375)

c)Hormone releasing IUDs: The hormone releasing IUDs, in addition, make the uterus unsuitable for implantation and the cervix hostile to the sperms.

For example, (Progestasert, LNG-20).

4) Oral contraceptives:

a) Oral administration of small doses of either progestogens or progestogen–estrogen combinations is another contraceptive method used by the females.

b) They are used in the form of tablets so they are called the pills.

c) They inhibit ovulation and implantation as well as alter the quality of cervical mucus to prevent the entry of sperms. Pills are very effective with lesser side effects and are well accepted by the females

d) Saheli– The new oral contraceptive for the females contains a non-steroidal preparation. It is a ‘once a week’ pill with very few side effects and high contraceptive value.

How to take pills:  Pills have to be taken daily for a period of 21 days starting preferably within the first five days of menstrual cycle. After a gap of 7 days (at the time of menstruation). It has to be repeated in the same pattern till the female desires to prevent conception.

5) Injectables and Implants:

a) Progestogens alone or in combination with estrogen can also be used by females as injections or implants under the skin. Their mode of action is similar to that of pills and their effective periods are much longer.

b) Administration of progestogens or progestogen-estrogen combinations or IUDs within 72 hours of coitus have been found to be very effective as emergency contraceptives as they could be used to avoid possible pregnancy due to rape or casual unprotected intercourse.

6) Surgical methods:

Also called sterilization, is a permanent method of conception. These techniques are highly effective but their reversibility is very poor. It is further of two types:

a) Vasectomy in males: In vasectomy, a small part of the vas deferens is removed or tied up through a small incision on the scrotum.

b) Tubectomy in females: A small part of the fallopian tube is removed tied up through a small incision in the abdomen or through vagina.