Find care near me Key Points
- The article emphasizes the significance of family planning and outlines its four primary objectives: preventing conception, promoting conception, managing menstrual cycles, and preventing sexually transmitted diseases.
- Family planning offers individuals and couples the ability to control their family size, time their pregnancies, or avoid pregnancy entirely.
- Various methods of birth control are discussed, including barrier methods, hormonal birth control, sterilization, and natural family planning, each with its own effectiveness, risks, and costs.
- The article also provides insight into the potential risks associated with each birth control method and what to anticipate during a family planning consultation with a doctor.
- It concludes with a list of potential questions that individuals or couples might want to ask their doctor about family planning.
4 Reasons Why Would You Need Family Planning
1. Preventing conception
Family planning can help you space out your pregnancies, limit your family size, or avoid pregnancy altogether. Anyone who wishes to prevent pregnancy can benefit from family planning services.[1]
2. Promoting conception
Some methods of family planning can also help boost your fertility. The natural family planning (NFP) method can be used to either prevent or promote pregnancy. This method is an excellent option for women who are trying to conceive.[2]
3. Managing your menstrual cycle
Hormonal birth control medications can also help you manage your menstrual cycle. These drugs may provide relief from heavy periods, painful cramps, or intense PMS symptoms. Many women with irregular periods also use hormonal birth control to regulate their menstrual cycle.[3]
4. Preventing STDs
Some methods of family planning can also help stop the spread of STDs. Barrier methods like condoms are essential for preventing STD exposure.[4] If you have multiple sexual partners, most doctors recommend using condoms. Many couples use barrier methods alongside hormonal birth control. Using two or more methods of birth control may further reduce your chances of pregnancy.[5]
Understanding Family Planning
Failing to use birth control puts you at risk of unplanned pregnancies. 85% of heterosexual couples who have unprotected sex will become pregnant within one year,[6] but family planning through birth control can help prevent this. When used correctly, most methods of birth control provided by a doctor are over 90% effective.[5]
Birth control methods fall into four general categories:[5]
- Barrier methods
- Hormonal birth control
- Sterilization
- Natural family planning
Barrier methods block sperm from reaching the egg. These barriers are sometimes used along with spermicidal creams and gels. Spermicide helps kill sperm, further reducing your chances of pregnancy.[5]
Hormonal birth control prevents pregnancy by blocking ovulation. These drugs can be delivered through pills, injections, or implantable devices.[5] They often thicken cervical mucus to help block sperm or thin the uterine lining to prevent implantation. Hormonal medications can also help treat a variety of gynecological health conditions.[3]
Sterilization is a permanent form of birth control that requires surgery. Unlike most other types of birth control, sterilization usually can't be reversed. Sterilization is only suitable for people who feel sure that they don't want any future pregnancies.[5]
Natural family planning (NFP) doesn't involve medications or special devices. Instead, NFP requires you to track your physical symptoms to determine when you're fertile. If you wish to avoid pregnancy, you must abstain from intercourse on these days. Barrier methods may also be used on your fertile days. People who want to become pregnant may choose to have sex on their fertile days to increase their chances of conception.[2]
Risks of a Family Planning
NFP is a safe, risk-free method of family planning, but it isn't right for everyone. Many women find it tedious to track their fertility. Others may find it difficult to abstain from intercourse during fertile days. NFP also offers no protection against STDs.[7]
Barrier methods are another low-risk option, and they can help protect against STDs. Many men and women rely on barrier methods as their primary method of birth control, but some people are allergic to latex or spermicide gels.[5] If you have severe allergies, your doctor may recommend avoiding barrier methods.
Hormonal birth control can be a simple, effective method for preventing pregnancy, but these drugs can sometimes cause serious side effects. Some hormonal drugs can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, and breast cancer. Smoking may increase these risks further.[5] Depending on your medical history, your doctor may recommend avoiding hormone medications.
Sterilization procedures are safe for most people, but as with any surgical procedure, there is always some risk of complication. Pain, bleeding, or infection can sometimes follow sterilization procedures.[5] Recovery times can also vary. Some people undergoing sterilization need to stay at the hospital overnight.
What to Expect with Family Planning
There are many methods of family planning. Each one carries different risks and requires different medical care.
When discussing family planning, your doctor may ask you about any previous pregnancies. It's important to let your doctor know about all past pregnancies, including those that were not carried to term. Your doctor may also ask if you plan to become pregnant in the future.
During your office visit, your doctor may perform a physical exam. These exams usually involve checking your weight, blood pressure, and heart rate. Your doctor might also perform a pelvic exam.[8][9] During this procedure, your doctor inserts gloved fingers into your vagina. Next, he or she presses on your abdomen to feel for any swelling or masses.
In some cases, your doctor may suggest a pelvic ultrasound. This test is usually not painful and carries few risks. Pelvic ultrasounds can help detect health problems that may interfere with pregnancy or birth control.
Your doctor may also perform a pregnancy test. Hormonal birth control methods can sometimes negatively affect pregnancy. It's important to confirm that you're not pregnant before starting these medications.
After your exam, your doctor can help you choose the method of birth control that's best for you. Your doctor will explain how to use this method to prevent pregnancy. Your doctor may also schedule regular follow-up appointments. Follow-up care helps ensure that you don't experience any complications with your chosen method.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Family Planning
- What methods of family planning are available?
- What methods are safe for someone with my medical history?
- Which methods are most effective for preventing pregnancy?
- Which methods have the highest out-of-pocket costs?
- Which methods are most cost-effective?
- Are there any risks associated with my preferred method of birth control?
- If I decide to become pregnant in the future, will my birth control cause any problems?
- What should I do if I become pregnant while using birth control?
Family Planning May Also Be Known As:
- Birth control or prevention
- Fertility treatment
Frequently asked questions
What are the main objectives of family planning?
The main objectives of family planning are preventing conception, promoting conception, managing menstrual cycles, and preventing sexually transmitted diseases.What are the different methods of birth control discussed in the article?
The article discusses several methods of birth control including barrier methods, hormonal birth control, sterilization, and natural family planning.What are the potential risks associated with each birth control method?
The risks vary depending on the method. Some may have side effects like hormonal imbalance, others may have a risk of failure leading to unwanted pregnancy, and some methods like sterilization are irreversible.What can I expect when discussing family planning with a doctor?
You can expect your doctor to discuss various birth control methods, their effectiveness, risks, and costs. They may also discuss your health history and your plans for having or not having children.How can family planning help in managing menstrual cycles?
Some birth control methods, especially hormonal ones, can help regulate menstrual cycles, reduce menstrual cramps, and even treat conditions like endometriosis.How does family planning help in preventing STDs?
Certain barrier methods of birth control, like condoms, can help prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.What questions should I ask my doctor about family planning?
You may want to ask about the most suitable birth control method for you, its effectiveness, potential side effects, costs, and how it could impact your future family planning goals.Can family planning help in promoting conception?
Yes, family planning can help in promoting conception by helping you understand your fertility cycle and the best time for conception.
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