Family planning

Combined oral contraceptives. Introduced in 1960, "the Pill" has played an instrumental role in family planning for decades.

Family planning is the planning of when to have children,and the use of birth control and other
techniques to implement such plans. Other techniques commonly used include sexuality
education, prevention and management of sexually transmitted infections,[3] pre-conception
counseling and management, and infertility management.
Family planning is sometimes used as a synonym for the use of birth control, though it often includes
more. It is most usually applied to a female-male couple who wish to limit the number of children they
have and/or to control the timing of pregnancy (also known as spacing children).
Family planning services are defined as "educational, comprehensive medical or social activities which
enable individuals, including minors, to determine freely the number and spacing of their children and to
select the means by which this may be achieved."

Birth Control methods

FOR WOMEN
Birth control methods women can use without going to a clinic or doctor:
The Female Condom (Female Condom)
The female condom is a soft, loose-fitting thin plastic pouch that
goes inside a woman's vagina.
You plan ahead and put it in before sex and use a new condom
each time you have sex.

Condoms protect you from both pregnancy and STDs, including

HIV.

Female condoms are plastic so people who are allergic to latex can
use them.

You can get them at drug stores and most health clinics.

Fertility Awareness Method

You learn how to tell when you can get pregnant.

Avoid sex or use other birth control during this time.

Spermicides
Spermicides are chemicals that kill sperm. They come in foam, gel,
film or suppositories.
Spermicides used with a condom are very effective.

You can get them at drug stores and some health clinics.

Abstinence
Abstinence from all sex protects you and your partner from
pregnancy and STDs/HIV.

People can choose abstinence at any time and at any age.

Hormone methods give constant protection from pregnancy. See a clinic or doctor for
these methods:
Birth Control Pills
You take one pill at the same time every day. Missing a pill
increases your chance of pregnancy.

Pills are easy to take and are effective birth control that doesn't
interrupt sex.

The "Shot" (Depo Provera)

You get a birth control shot once every 3 months from a doctor or
nurse.

The shot is an easy method and almost 100 percent effective if you
get your shot ON TIME.

Birth Control Patch (Ortho Evra)

The patch is a thin, stick-on square that is placed on your body to
prevent the release of an egg.
A new patch is used once a week for three weeks and the fourth
week is patch-free.

The patch is almost 100 percent effective when used the right way.

Vaginal Ring (NuvaRing)

This small, soft plastic ring has hormones to prevent pregnancy.

You place a new ring in your vagina every month.

The ring is easy to use and is almost 100 percent effective.

Implant (Implanon)
The implant is a thin, 2-inch plastic rod that uses hormones to
prevent pregnancy for 3 years.
A clinic doctor or nurse inserts it under the skin on the inside of
your arm.

The implant is VERY effective.

Other birth control methods might be right for you. Talk to your clinic nurse or doctor
about:
IUD(ParaGard)/IUS(Mirena)
These small devices are inserted into your uterus.

They work for 5-10 years.

They are VERY effective.

Diaphragm
This is a rubber cap that needs to be fitted to your size by a clinic
doctor or nurse.

It must be inserted into your vagina EACH time you have sex.

Are you ready to think about permanent birth control?

Sterilization
If you don't want children or don't want any more children, getting
your "tubes tied" (tubal ligation) or blocked are safe, effective
procedures.
Emergency Contraception (Plan B)
Emergency birth control pills or EC may be taken AFTER
unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy.
EC reduces the risk of pregnancy when taken as soon as possible
or within 5 days of sex.

EC is NOT the same as the abortion pill and will NOT stop or harm
the pregnancy or fetus if you are already pregnant.

Keep EC on hand as a back-up in case a condom breaks or another

birth control method fails.

You can get EC from the drugstore without a prescription if you are
18 or older (with one if you are under 18) or for low or no-cost at
a family planning clinic.

FOR MEN
Birth control is not just for women!
MEN... YOU can . . .
Decide if or when you want a child by using birth control.

Protect yourself and your partner from HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs),
like gonorrhea, chlamydia, or hepatitis.

Gain peace of mind and have better sex knowing you are protecting yourself and your
partner from the risks of unprotected sex.

No birth control method works 100 percent of the time. So unless you want to be a father,
you should use your own method, don't just rely on your female partner's method.
Condoms (for men)
Condoms protect you from both pregnancy AND STDs, including
HIV.
Condoms give you the BEST protection when you use them in the
right way EVERY time.

Condoms are made of latex or thin plastic (polyurethane). Use

plastic condoms if you have a latex allergy. Both are effective.

Keep condoms safe from heat, direct sunlight and oil-based

lubricants as these may cause the condom to break.

You can get condoms at drugstores and some health clinics.

Withdrawal or "Pulling Out"

You are in control...

Withdrawal works when you pull your penis out and away from
your partner's vagina BEFORE you ejaculate (cum).

Withdrawal prevents sperm from entering a woman's body and

reaching an egg.

Withdrawal does not protect you from STDs or HIV.

It may be hard to pull out. How well it works depends on being

able to know when you will cum.

Abstinence from all sex protects you and your partner from
pregnancy and STDs/HIV.

People can choose abstinence at any time and at any age.

Emergency Contraception (Plan B )

Emergency birth control pills or EC may be taken by your female
partner AFTER unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy.
EC reduces the risk of pregnancy when taken as soon as possible
or within 5 days of sex.

EC is NOT the same as the abortion pill and will NOT stop or harm
the pregnancy or fetus if your partner is already pregnant.

Keep EC on hand as a back-up in case a condom breaks or you

don't pull out in time.

You can get EC for your female partner from the drugstore without
a prescription if you are 18 or older (with one if you are under 18)
or for low or no-cost at a family planning clinic.