Birth control
Birth
control, also known as contraception
and fertility control, are methods
or devices used to prevent pregnancy. Planning, provision and use of birth
control is called family planning. Safe sex, such as the use of male or female
condoms, can also help prevent transmission of sexually transmitted infections.Contraceptive
use in developing countries has decreased the number of maternal deaths by 40%
(about 270,000 deaths prevented in 2008) and could prevent 70% if the full
demand for birth control were met. By lengthening the time between pregnancies,
birth control can improve adult women's delivery outcomes and the survival of
their children. In the developing world women's earnings, assets, body mass
index, and their children's schooling and health all improve with greater
access to contraception.
The most effective methods of birth control are sterilization
by means of vasectomy in males and tubal ligation in females, intrauterine
devices (IUDs) and implantable contraceptives. This is followed by a number of
hormonal contraceptives including oral pills, patches, vaginal rings, and
injections. Less effective methods include: barriers such as condoms,
diaphragms and contraceptive sponge and fertility awareness methods. The least
effective methods are spermicides and withdrawal by the male before
ejaculation. Sterilization, while highly effective, is not usually reversible;
all other methods are reversible, most immediately upon stopping them. Condoms
have the additional benefit of preventing sexually transmitted infections.
Emergency contraception can prevent pregnancy in the few days after unprotected
sex. Some people regard sexual abstinence as birth control, but abstinence-only
sex education may increase teen pregnancies when offered without contraceptive
education.
Teenage pregnancies are at greater risk of poor outcomes and
comprehensive sex education and access to birth control decreases the rate of
unwanted pregnancies in this age group. While all forms of birth control may be
used by young people, long-acting reversible contraception such as implants,
IUDs, or vaginal rings are of particular benefit in reducing rates of teenage
pregnancy.After the delivery of a child a women who is not exclusively breast-feeding
may become pregnant again as early as four to six weeks. Some methods of birth
control can be started immediately follow the birth while others require a
delay of up to six months. In those who are breast feeding progestin only
methods are preferred over combined oral contraceptives. In those who have
reached menopause it is recommended that birth control be continued for one
year after the last period.
Birth control methods have been used since ancient times but
effective and safe methods only became available in the 20th century.Some
cultures deliberately limit access to contraception because they consider it to
be morally or politically undesirable.About 222 million women who want to avoid
pregnancy in developing countries are not using a modern contraception method.
Birth control increases economic growth because of fewer dependent children, more women participating in the workforce, and less consumption of scarce resources.
Birth control increases economic growth because of fewer dependent children, more women participating in the workforce, and less consumption of scarce resources.
