Types of Family Planning Methods and their Advantages And Disadvantages

Family planning is the idea or a plan for reducing the family size by spacing out or avoiding pregnancies. To avoid pregnancy, peoples use different types of family planning methods. The family planning methods, with their advantages and disadvantages, are mentioned below.

1. Contraceptive Cap

This is a kind of birth control method. When a man's sperm reaches one of a woman's eggs, she may become pregnant. Contraception aims to keep the egg and sperm separate or to stop the formation of eggs. Contraception is another name for birth control. The cap is a type of family planning method. The dome-shaped contraceptive cap is made of flexible and thin silicone. It is placed in the vagina prior to having sex. It covers the cervix to prevent sperm from entering the womb. It must be utilized with spermicide. Spermicide comes in the form of gel, creams, foams, and pessaries.

Caya and Femcap are the two kinds of caps that are available.

Advantages of contraceptive cap:

1. You just need to utilize it during sex.
2. There are no harmful side effects of it.
3. Caps can be reused.

Disadvantages of contraceptive cap:

1. It is less efficient than other methods of contraception.
2. It offers less protection against STIs.
3. Putting on a cap disturbs sexual activity.
4. Some women who wear a cap may experience issues with cystitis.
5. Need some time to learn how to wear a cap.
6. Spermicide can irritate certain women and their sexual partners.

A cap might be less efficient if:

1. If it is not the appropriate size for you.
2. If the cap is damaged
3. If you take it down too quickly.
4. If you don't use it with spermicide.

2. Combined Pill

The combined pill, sometimes known as the birth control tablet or simply "the pill," is a combination of two medications. It is a kind of birth control method that is consumed by females orally. Two main hormones, progestin and estrogen, are present in the tablet. A woman's ovaries are prevented from releasing an egg by taking the pill when taken as directed. It changes the menstrual cycle to stop ovulation and avoid pregnancy.

The pill has a success rate of over 99% in pregnancy prevention. Thus, less than 1 in 100 women who use the combined pill as contraception will become pregnant in a year.

Advantages of the pill:

1. Make your bleeding more regular, lighter, and less painful.
2. Doesn't disturb sex.
3. Decreases the chances of colon, womb, and ovarian cancers.
4. Minimize the symptoms of PMS.
5. Potentially prevents pelvic inflammatory disease.

Disadvantages of the pill:

1. It can cause short-term adverse effects at the beginning, like headaches, nausea, breast tenderness, and mood changes. If problems persist after a few months, then switch to another pill.
2. It does not offer protection against STDs.
3. It can raise blood pressure.
4. For the first few months after starting the pill, you may suffer through breakthrough bleeding and spotting.
5. It has been associated with a higher risk of several major medical disorders, including thrombosis and breast cancer.

3. Condoms

Another secure way of birth control is the condom. This is also the best method for preventing STIs, including HIV. Condoms come in two varieties: worn on the penis and placed into the vagina. Penis-worn condoms are manufactured from thin latex, polyisoprene, or polyurethane. They are created to prevent a man's sperm from contacting his sexual partner.

Advantages of condoms:

1. They are also successful at avoiding pregnancy.
2. Condoms are an effective way to prevent both partners from STIs.
3. They are ideal for unplanned sex as they don't require any preliminary planning.
4. There are no harmful side effects of it.
5. Condoms are available in a variety of colours, flavours, and sizes and are simple to obtain.

Disadvantages of condoms:

1. The use of condoms disrupts sex.
2. Condoms are fairly durable, but incorrect use can cause them to break or split.

4. Contraceptive Implant

This is an implanted medical device used for birth control. The contraceptive implant is a 4 cm long, thin, flexible rod. The implant prevents the egg from being released from the ovary by gradually releasing progestogen into the human body. Progesterone thickens cervical mucus & thins the uterine lining. Due to this flow of sperm through your cervix is slowed. It is inserted by a doctor under the skin of the upper arm.

Advantages of contraceptive implant:

1. It lasts for three years.
2. Doesn't disturb sex.
3. You don't need to keep track of taking a pill every day.
4. It is ideal for those who are unable to use oestrogen-based methods of birth control, such as the combined pill.
5. It is safe to utilize while breastfeeding.
6. Once the implant is removed, your fertility should get back to normal.

Disadvantages of contraceptive implant:

1. Using a contraceptive implant might cause significant changes to your menstrual cycle.
2. Other adverse effects that some women experience include headaches, acne, nausea, breast soreness, mood swings, and a decrease in sex drive.
3. HIV medications and epilepsy medications can decrease the effectiveness of the implant.
4. 20% of women who use the implant will experience no bleeding, but almost 50% will experience irregular or extended bleeding.

5. Contraceptive Patch

The patch is a kind of birth control method. A woman may become pregnant if a man's sperm reaches one of her eggs. By separating the egg and sperm or by halting egg production, contraception attempts to prevent this from occurring. This is a sticky patch, somewhat similar to a nicotine patch. It injects hormones into the human body through the skin. It has the same hormone composition as the combined pill.

Advantages of the contraceptive patch:

1. Doesn't disturb sex.
2. Very simple to use.
3. You only need to remember to replace the patch per week, so you don't need to keep track of taking a pill every day.
4. Decreases the chances of colon, womb, and ovarian cancers.
5. Due to this, your periods can become lighter, more frequent, and less painful.
6. It reduces premenstrual symptoms.

Disadvantages of the contraceptive patch:

1. It may cause skin itchiness, inflammation, and pain.
2. It offers less protection against STIs.
3. Other adverse effects that some women experience include headaches, acne, nausea, breast soreness, mood swings, and a decrease in sex drive.
4. For the first few months, you may suffer through breakthrough bleeding and spotting.

6. Contraceptive Injection

The progesterone hormone is injected into your body to prevent pregnancy. It comes in 3 different types that are Depo-Provera, Sayana Press, and Noristerat.

Advantages of the contraceptive injection:

1. Each injection lasts either eight, twelve, or thirteen weeks.
2. Doesn't disturb sex.
3. It is safe to take the injection while breastfeeding.
4. You don't need to keep track of taking a pill every day.
5. Other medications don't impact the injection.
6. The injection is the best choice if you are unable to use another method of birth control, such as a vaginal ring or patch.
7. Decreases the chances of colon, womb, and ovarian cancers.

Disadvantages of the contraceptive injection:

1. You might gain weight.
2. Some women experience headaches, acne, sore breasts, changes in mood, and a decrease in sex drive.
3. Irregular periods.
4. One in one hundred women who use Sayana Press experience a dimple where the injection was given.

7. Diaphragm

This is another type of birth control. A diaphragm is placed in the vagina before sexual contact in order to cover the cervix and prevent sperm from entering the womb. It must be utilized with spermicide. Spermicide comes in the form of gel, creams, foams, and pessaries. After removing the diaphragm, wash it. Diaphragms are available in various sizes. The diaphragm has a success rate of over 84% in pregnancy prevention when taken as directed. Thus, 16 in 100 women who use diaphragms as contraception may get pregnant.

Advantages of a diaphragm:

1. You just need to utilize it during sex.
2. There are no harmful side effects of it.
3. The diaphragm is reusable.

Disadvantages of a diaphragm:

1. Need some time to learn how to use it.
2. The use of a diaphragm disrupts sex.
3. Spermicide can irritate many females and their sexual partners.
4. It offers less protection against STIs.
5. Some women who use the diaphragm may experience issues with cystitis.

A diaphragm might be less efficient if:

1. if it's not the appropriate size for you.
2. If the diaphragm is damaged.
3. If you take it down too quickly.
4. If you don't use it with spermicide.

8. Female Condoms

This is a kind of birth control method. Female condoms are manufactured of polyurethane, a thin, pliable plastic. They are made to prevent a man's sperm from contacting his sexual partner. This method of birth control prevents getting pregnant and against STIs.

Advantages of female condoms:

1. They are also successful at avoiding pregnancy.
2. Condoms are an effective way to prevent both partners from STIs.
3. They are ideal for unplanned sex as they don't require any preliminary planning.
4. There are no harmful side effects of it.
5. Condoms are available in a variety of colours, flavours, and sizes and are simple to obtain.

Disadvantages of female condoms:

1. The use of condoms disrupts sex.
2. Condoms are fairly durable, but incorrect use can cause them to break or split.

9. Female Sterilisation

The fallopian tubes, which connect the ovaries to the womb, are blocked by female sterilization. This stops the sperm from fertilizing the woman's eggs. This is an operation. General anaesthesia is given for the procedure.

Advantages of female sterilization:

1. It is 99% successful at preventing pregnancy.
2. Your hormone levels won't be impacted by it.
3. You can utilize contraception up to your next period.
4. Doesn't disturb sex.

Disadvantages of female sterilization:

1. It offers less protection against STIs.
2. Tubal occlusions are extremely challenging to reverse.

10. IUD(Intrauterine Device, Coil)

This is a long-acting reversible method of birth control. IUDs are tiny T-shaped plastic and copper implants that are inserted by a professionally qualified doctor into the uterus. The sperm and egg cannot survive in the womb because of the IUD. IUDs come in a variety of styles and dimensions.

Advantages of an IUD:

1. Does not disturb sex.
2. Once it is removed, your fertility should get back to normal.
3. Other medications do not impact the IUD.
4. There are no hormones present in it.

Disadvantages of an IUD:

1. Due to this, your periods can become lighter, more frequent, and less painful.
2. It does not offer STI protection.

11. Vaginal Ring:

The vaginal ring is a flexible plastic ring that you have to insert inside your vagina, and the user can leave it there for 21 days. Its diameter is 5.5 cm, and its thickness is roughly 4 mm. It thins the womb's lining, reducing the chances of egg implantation and preventing ovulation.

Advantages of the vaginal ring:

1. If you vomit or have diarrhoea, the ring will not be damaged.
2. It lowers the risk of colon, uterine, and ovarian cancer.
3. Does not disturb sex.
4. It lowers the chance of ovarian cysts, fibroids, and non-cancerous breast illness.

Disadvantages of the vaginal ring:

1. It can cause short-term adverse effects at the beginning, like spotting and bleeding.
2. Other adverse effects that some women experience include headaches, acne, nausea, breast soreness, mood swings, and a decrease in sex drive.
3. It offers less protection against STIs.

12. IUS

IUS is a tiny T-shaped plastic implant that is inserted by a professionally qualified doctor into the uterus. The implant prevents the egg from being released from the ovary by gradually releasing progestogen into the human body. Progesterone thickens cervical mucus & thins the uterine lining.

Advantages of an IUS:

1. Does not disturb sex.
2. Once it is removed, your fertility should get back to normal.
3. Other medications do not impact the IUS.
4. Due to this, your periods can become lighter, more frequent, and less painful.
5. It might be an excellent choice if you don't want to take the hormone oestrogen, which is contained in the combined contraceptive pill.

Disadvantages of an IUS:

1. Adverse effects that some women experience include headaches, acne, nausea, and breast soreness.
2. It offers less protection against STIs.
3. Hormonal issues can also occur.

13. Vasectomy

A vasectomy is a surgical procedure that can be used as permanent contraception. This is a very simple procedure that prevents a female from becoming pregnant by a male. General anaesthesia is given for the procedure.

Advantages of a vasectomy:

1. Your hormone levels won't be impacted by it.
2. Easier, safer, and a more good alternative to female sterilization.
3. Doesn't disturb sex.

Disadvantages of a vasectomy

1. It is not STI-protective.
2. Reversal is challenging.
3. Complications may arise.
4. Most men experience soreness and tenderness for a few days after surgery.
5. A vasectomy can result in more severe issues such as an infection, sperm granulomas, and hematomas.

14. Progestogen-only Pill:

This is a kind of birth control method. It includes the progesterone hormone. Progesterone thickens cervical mucus & thins the uterine lining. Due to this flow of sperm through your cervix is slowed.

Advantages of the progestogen-only pill:

1. Does not disturb sex.
2. It is safe to utilize while breastfeeding.
3. It might be an excellent choice if you don't want to take the hormone oestrogen, which is contained in the combined contraceptive pill.
4. It reduces premenstrual symptoms.

Disadvantages of the progestogen-only pill:

1. Irregular periods.
2. You need to keep track of taking a pill every day.
3. Some medications decrease the effectiveness of the mini pill.
4. Adverse effects that some women experience include headaches, acne, nausea, breast soreness, mood swings, and a decrease in sex drive.
5. It has been associated with a higher risk of several major medical disorders, including ovarian cysts and breast cancer.