Do You Know Your Family Planning Choices?

Here are some facts about the different family planning choices available for you.

1. COMBINED ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES (COC)

Combined oral contraceptives are pills made from combination of hormones (estrogen and progestin) that prevent pregnancy by stopping the ovaries from releasing eggs and/or thickening the cervical mucus, making it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus. You must take one pill everyday according to intructions.

• Effective and reversible without delay.
• Take one pill everyday and start new pack on time for greatest effectiveness.
• Unexpected bleeding or spotting may occur, especially at first. Not harmful. Monthly bleeding becomes lighter and more regular after a few months.
• Some women may experience mild headaches, weight change, upset stomach, especially at first use. These often go away.
• Safe for nearly every woman. Serious complications are very rare.
• Can be used at any reproductive age and whether or not a woman has had children.
• Help prevent menstrual cramps, heavy bleeding, anemia (low blood iron), and other conditions.

2. PROGESTIN ONLY PILL (POP)

Progestin only pills are pills that use a progestin to prevent pregnancy by stopping the ovaries from releasing eggs each month. You must take one pill everydy according to instructions. The hormone progestin in the pills stops the ovaries from releasing eggs each month. The hormone also makes it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus by thickening the cervical mucus. Unlike combined oral contraceptive pills, POPs do not contain the hormone estrogen.

• Good for breastfeeding mothers who want pills, beginning 6 weeks after childbirth.
• Very effective during breastfeeding and reversible without delay.
• Take one pill everyday for greatest effectiveness.
• If not breastfeeding, spotting and unexpected light bleeding are common. Not harmful.

3. INJECTABLE CONTRACEPTIVE

Injectables are hormones delivered to the woman through an injection in her arm or buttocks. It contains a progestin, similar to the natural hormone that a woman's body produces. The hormone is slowly released into the bloodstream. Injectable contraceptive prevent the ovaries from releasing eggs every month. They also make it difficult for sperm to eneter the uterus by thickening the cervical mucus. The woman must get an injection every three or two months depending on the type of injectable she is using.

• Effective and safe.
• One injection every three months with DMPA and every two months with NET EN. Come back as much as two weeks late and still get injection.
• Spotting and unexpected bleeding often occur in the first several months, then often monthly bleeding stops. Gradual weight gain, mild headaches but these ar not harmful.
• Private. Others cannot tell that a woman is using it.
• Can be used at any reproductive age and whether or not the woman has had children.
• When injection stop, a woman can become pregnant again. After DMPA it may take a few more months to get pregnant again.
• Safe during breastfeeding, beginning six weeks after childbirth.

4. CONDOMS

It is a thin sheath made of latex rubber that fits to a man's erect penis. Latex condom protects against pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections including HIV infection. A man put the condom on his erect penis before he puts his penis inside the woman's vagina. The condom holds the semen so it does not pass into the woman's vagina. After sex, the man carefully takes off the condom so that it does not leak. Each condom can be used only once.

• Helps prevent pregnancy and some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , including HIV/AIDS, when used correctly everytime.
• For protection from STI/HIV, some couples used condoms along with other methods of family planning.
• Easy to use with a little practice.
• Effective if used correctly everytime. Usually only somewhat effective because it is not used everytime when having sex.
• Some people object that condoms interrupt sex, reduce sensation, or embarrass them. Talking with your partner can help.

5. INTRAUTERINE DEVICE (IUD)

An IUD or intrauterine device is a long-acting contraceptive method for women intended to be used for several months or years. It is a small device that is usually made of plastic or of plastic and copper. A doctor or trained health care worker places the IUD in the woman's uterus. The most commonly used IUD, the Copper T380-A can be left in place for ten years. An IUD prevents the sperm from meeting the egg. The physical presence of IUD in the uterus, keeps the sperm from moving normally inside the uterus and fallopian tubes.

• Small, flexible device placed inside the womb. Little to do once IUD is in place.
• Very effective, reversible and long term method.
• Monthly bleeding maybe heavier and longer especially at first. Some pain during insertion.
• Pelvic infection occasionally occurs if a woman has certain sexually transmitted infections when the IUD is inserted. Serious complications are rare.
• Can come out on its own, especially at first.
• A woman can become pregnant with no delay after the IUD is removed.

6. FEMALE STERILIZATION (TUBAL LIGATION)

Each month, one of woman's ovaries release an egg that moves down one of her fallopian tubes to the uterus. If a man's sperm joins the egg, the woman becomes pregnant. During female sterilization or tubal ligation, the tubes are blocked so that the egg and sperm cannot meet. A tubal does not remove any organs. It is not a hysterectomy. A tubal does not cause menopause. After a tubal, a woman's ovaries still produce female hormones. She will continue to have monthly periods and her sex drive and her ability to have sex will remain the same. The operation will not change a woman's skin, breasts, or weight. The only change is that she cannot become pregnant anymore. A tubal is a minor operation that is usually done in a clinic or a hospital. It usually takes no more than 30 minutes. It is made up of two parts: reaching the tubes and blocking them.

• Meant to be permanent. For women who are sure that they will not want more children. Think carefully before deciding.
• Very effective (but not 100% effective).
• Involves physical exam and safe, simple surgery. The woman usually stays awake. Pain is blocked.
• Pain and swelling can last a few days after procedure. Seriuos complications are very rare.
• No long-term side effects. No effect on sexual ability or feelings.

7. MALE STERILIZATION (VASECTOMY)

Vasectomy is a minor operation that is usually done at a doctor's office or at a clinic. You are awake during the surgery, which usually takes no more than 30 minutes. First, the hair is clip from the scrotum. The doctor injects a local anesthetic into the skin of your scrotum to numb it. Then the doctor makes one or two small cuts in the skin of the scrotum through which the tubes are gently lifted out. The doctor cuts the tubes, and may remove a small piece of each. The cut ends are tied or sealed with electic current. The openings in the scrotum are closed with small stiches. After a short rest (usually half an hour) you can go home.

• Meant to be permanent. For men who are sure that they will not want more children. Think carefully before deciding.
• Use another method for the next three months, until the vasectomy starts to work.
• Very effective after three months (but not 100% effective).
• Safe, simple, convenient surgery. Done in a few minutes. Pain is blocked.
• Pain, swelling, or buising can last a few days. A few men have lasting pain.
• No effect on sexual ability or feelings.