Family Planning

Women, men, or couples can choose from many contraceptive methods to help them plan their family and prevent unplanned pregnancy. They need to know that if they are having sex regularly and do not use a contraceptive method, about 8 of every 10 women will become pregnant during the next 12 months. Different people want different things from a contraceptive method. Some want a method that guarantees there is no chance of pregnancy. Some want a quick return to fertility so they can get pregnant soon after stopping a contraceptive method. Some do not want to think about contraceptives every time they have sex. Some do not want to depend on their partner for the success of the method. Some women do not want to remember to take a daily pill, while others find that is easy. And there are still other factors that influence method choice. Some may need protection from STIs and will choose condoms to be used alone or in addition to another contraceptive method. Some people want a method

An abortion can also happen on its own, which is usually called a miscarriage, or a spontaneous abortion. Most miscarriages occur within the first 3 months of a pregnancy. Women who have had an induced abortion are frequently at higher risk of another pregnancy, which also may be unintended. To help prevent this pattern, health services need to make If a woman has heavy vaginal bleeding, fever, abdominal pain, or unusual vaginal discharge after an abortion or miscarriage, she must urgently seek medical care. This may save her life. After an abortion or miscarriage, fertility returns very quickly. To avoid pregnancy, a woman needs to start a family planning method within one week. A woman who wants to become pregnant again after an abortion or miscarriage should wait 6 months so she can regain strength for her next pregnancy. To reduce the risk of infection after an abortion or miscarriage, a woman should avoid having sex until all bleeding stops — usually 5 to 7 days. Women who are treated for infection or abortion-related injury need to be sure the vagina or uterus has healed before having sex again

Unwanted pregnancy is one of the main reasons that women seek induced abortions. Many unwanted pregnancies occur because women cannot obtain family planning information or services when needed. Making family planning information and services widely available to all women and men is the best way to help reduce the number of abortions. Abortion is the ending of a pregnancy before childbirth. An induced abortion involves intentional removal of the contents of the uterus before the embryo or fetus is able to survive outside of the womb.

Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) can help prevent pregnancy if taken within 5 days after unprotected sex. The sooner they are taken, the more effective they are. They are NOT meant to be used for ongoing contraception, in place of a regular method. Intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs or IUCDs) are small, flexible plastic devices that are inserted into the woman’s uterus. The most common IUDs contain copper, and they work by preventing sperm from reaching an egg. Depending on the type, IUDs can provide protection for 5 to 12 years. Barrier methods are either devices (male and female condoms) that physically block sperm from reaching an egg, or chemicals (spermicides) that kill or damage the sperm in the vagina. The effectiveness of barrier methods greatly depends on people’s ability to use them correctly every time they have sex. Fertility awareness methods require a couple to know the fertile days of the woman’s menstrual cycle — the days when pregnancy is most likely to occur. During these fertile days the couple must avoid sex or use a barrier method to prevent pregnancy. Breastfeeding provides contraceptive protection for the first 6 months after delivery if certain conditions are met. This approach is called the Lactational Amenorrhea Method or LAM. Withdrawal involves a man withdrawing his penis during sex and releasing his ejaculate, which contains sperm, outside the woman’s vagina. For most people withdrawal is one of the least effective contraceptive methods. Female and male sterilization are permanent methods of contraception. Sterilization involves a relatively simple surgical procedure that provides life-long protection against pregnancy. Sterilization is appropriate for men and women who are certain they do not want more children.