Contraception and Family Planning
Contraception or birth control helps stop you from becoming pregnant. Each month an egg is released from the female ovary (ovulation). If the egg is met by a sperm, the egg can become fertilized and attach to the inside of the womb or uterus (implantation). Pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg is implanted.
Contraception can stop pregnancy from happening in a number of ways. Contraception can be swallowed (birth control pills, or the “pill”), injected (hormone injections or “the shot”), placed on the skin (“the patch”), placed inside the vagina (vaginal contraceptive ring or “the ring”) or placed under the skin (implant).
Contraception can work by preventing sperm from entering the cervix (opening of the uterus). Contraceptives that use this method are called barrier devices because they block sperm. Barrier devices include the following contraceptives:
- The condom (male or female)
- The diaphragm (a floppy rubber circle that covers the cervix)
- The cervical cap (a smaller rubber circle that sits right on the cervix)
- The sponge (a donut-shaped foam sponge that is inserted into the vagina)
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, pre-conception counseling and management, and infertility management.
To learn more about Contraception and Family Planning or to schedule an appointment call us at (610) 692-3434.
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