Is a regimen of one or more actions, devices, or medications followed in order to deliberately prevent or reduce the likelihood of pregnancy or childbirth.

It can be used by male or female, and they can be temporary or permanent ,depending upon the need of the couple

Physical or barrier methods:

There are variety of methods, which act differently .they can be classified as Physical methods like condoms which prevent the sperms from entering the female reproductive tract.


Hormonal methods

They  preventing ovulation from occurring; making the womansinglequotes reproductive tract inhospitable to sperm .these are generally taken by females in the form of pills ,this method is the method of choice for couples who wish to postpone their family and also good option for spacing the childbirth .

Contraindications for the use of these pills are Circulatory diseases, severe   hypertension, and angina. Hyperlipiemia, Liver diseases, Pregnancy, breast cancer other    malignancies, age above 35 smoking habit. These days’ steroidal injections and implants are also available which are practically more convenient.


Intrauterine devices:

These are contraceptive devices which are placed inside the uterus. They are usually shaped like a "T" — the arms of the T hold the device in place. There are two main types of intrauterine contraceptives: those that contain copper (which has a spermicidal effect), and those that release a progestogen.

They act by variety of ways by producing Biochemical and histological changes in the endometrial. They also increase tubal motility which results in quick migration of fertilized ovum into the uterine cavity, even before the endometrial becomes ripe

Copper devices: it has got local antifertility effect.

Contraindications there are some contraindications for these devices as pelvic infection suspected pregnancy malignant lesions in the genital tract HIV/AIDS.

The advantages of this method includes it requires no daily attention. They are immediately effective and they are Long-lasting too.

 


Permanent methods of birth control (sterilization)

This can be done in both the partners and this is usually an irreversible method it is more convenient in males but in country like India many myths are associated with it ,so generally less performed in males .

Male sterilization is achieved through a surgical procedure, called a vasectomy, that is  intended to be a permanent method of birth control ,this is  quick, 30-minute surgical procedure, in which the vas deferens  is sealed, cut or tied, preventing sperm from traveling into the vagina during intercourse. Recovery from vasectomy usually requires only that the patient refrain from physical activity for approximately few hours.

Complications can be infection, swelling of the scrotum, which are very rare.

Female sterilization   This is based on the principle of occluding the fallopian tubes. These days this procedure is done laproscopically and mostly done in camps under local anesthesia.

Complications involve risks related to GA, Menstrual abnormalities, chronic pelvic pain, and infection.

Adverse effects Sterilization is a permanent, surgical procedure and often cannot be reversed .Possible temporary postsurgical complications like Bleeding Infection can occur in some cases.

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