The definition and purpose of family planning is for married couples to have as many children as they want, and to prevent these pregnancies when they do not want to. There are many methods for this. Which method will be most appropriate differs from person to person. For this reason, it would be right for individuals who want to be protected from pregnancy, in consultation with their physician, to choose the most suitable contraceptive method for them and to have full information about the method they will use.
What is the Pearl Index?
When comparing the effectiveness of family planning methods A ratio we call the "Pearl Index" is used. The Pearl index is the failure rate per 100 woman-years. In simpler terms, it is how many of the 100 women who use the method get pregnant in a year.
What are the Natural Methods in Family Planning?
Some rules that enable couples to prevent or create pregnancy with fertility awareness are put together. defined as the application. The World Health Organization has defined natural family planning as methods of planning pregnancy or preventing pregnancy by observing natural signs and symptoms in the fertile and infertile periods of the menstrual cycle (menstrual cycle). body temperature increases by 0.2 – 0.5 °C. The days after the body temperature is recorded regularly every day and the body temperature is above a certain level for 3 consecutive days is considered as the safe period. It is based on the assumption that it will happen and not having intercourse on these days. The pearl index is 20%, in other words, the success rate is 80%
Mucus method: During the ovulation period, the cervical mucus increases in amount, becomes thin, clear and elongates when taken between two fingers. This method is based on avoiding sexual intercourse on days when the structure and amount of mucus indicate the ovulation period. This method is difficult to implement, individuals are experienced and determined in this regard, psychologically. they have to be ready for it. Otherwise, success rates decrease. The success of preventing pregnancy is 81%.
Breastfeeding: In the first 6 months following the birth, if the mother breastfeeds her baby, for which she does not give additional food, frequently, for less than 60 minutes a day, and does not have a menstrual period, it is considered that ovulation has not started yet. However, this is not a very reliable method as it does not mean that every non-menstrual woman does not ovulate.
What are the Barrier Methods Used in Family Planning?
It is all of the methods that mechanically prevent the sperm from reaching the woman's uterus.
Condom: It is a rubber sheath that is attached to the penis after erection during sexual intercourse. It prevents the semen containing sperm from entering the woman's vagina after ejaculation. In addition to family planning, the most important advantage of this method is that it provides protection against sexually transmitted diseases. Tearing the condom during intercourse, noticing that there is a hole or getting it out of the penis requires using an additional method. The success rate of the method is 88% when used alone.
Diaphragm: It is a rubber, hat-like tool placed in the cervix of the woman before intercourse. Application of spermicide (spermicidal substance) to the cervix prevents the sperms that can physically exceed the diaphragm to survive. The advantage of this method is that it can be applied without any harm to the body and women whose menstrual bleeding continues can have sexual intercourse with the diaphragm. When used alone, the success rate is 82%.
Spermicides: They are substances that can be in the form of cream, suppository or foam that are applied into the vagina before intercourse and prevent sperm from staying alive. Since their effectiveness is not very high when used alone (79%), using them together with other barrier methods increases their effectiveness.
What are the Hormonal Methods in Family Planning?
By giving small doses of hormones from the outside to the body, the ovaries and pituitary gland are protected. operation is prevented. Ovulation, therefore, pregnancy does not occur.
Birth control pills
Combined oral contraceptives: It is based on the principle that pregnancy does not occur as a result of suppressing the natural balance as a result of external administration of female (estrogen) and ovulation (progesterone) hormones in low doses. is set. Even in small amounts, the female and ovulation hormone enters the body, so the feminine characteristics continue without interruption. In order for this method, which has a high protection rate of 99%, to be effective, drugs must be used regularly every day.
What are the Advantages of Birth Control Pills?
One of the biggest advantages of birth control pills prevent anemia by reducing the amount of In some women, this decrease is so obvious that menstrual bleeding may be just spotting, like coffee grounds, which is not something to worry about.
Birth control pills reduce menstrual pain and reduce the possibility of ovarian and intrauterine cancer. What are the side effects when using control pills?
The most common side effect during the first period of use is nausea. Taking the drugs just before bedtime makes this effect easier to tolerate by the woman. The second most common side effect is breakthrough bleeding when using the pill. The vast majority of breakthrough bleeding occurs when the female hormone estrogen in the drug is present in lower doses than it should be. In this case, what needs to be done is not to stop the drug, but to continue it.
In case the complaints do not decrease, it may be considered to switch to another drug by consulting the physician. Some women may complain of weight gain. This, in turn, can be avoided by the use of lower dose pills. Pills should be taken at the same time each day whenever possible. When the pill is forgotten one day, the forgotten pill must be taken as soon as it is remembered. Since the effectiveness of the method will decrease if the pill is forgotten two days in a row, it is necessary to use an additional contraceptive method.
How to Use the Contraceptive Pill?
Before starting to use the pills, pregnancy status should be determined with a pregnancy test. There are various drugs on the market. Some of them contain 21 drugs. It is necessary to start the first box within the first 5 days of menstruation (preferably the first day). After 21 days of drug use, no drug is taken for 7 days, during this period menstrual bleeding occurs. A new box is started following a 7-day drug-free period. Medicines with 28 pills are for continuous use. Kut There are no hormones in the last drugs of this drug, menstruation begins while taking these drugs.
Who should not use birth control pills?
Birth control pills should not be used in patients with breast cancer, blood clotting problems, heart and liver patients. Those who breastfeed a baby under 6 months old, smoke, have diabetes, high blood pressure, migraine and depression should be used under control. . They provide birth control with the principle of thickening the cervix, preventing the passage of sperm and preventing ovulation. The success rate is 97%. The most obvious advantage of this method is that it can be used during breastfeeding when those containing estrogen cannot be used, and it is also important that it can be used by women who cannot use estrogen for any reason.
Morning after pills
This method, which is not suitable for routine use, is only used in mandatory situations. Taking the drug within the first 120 hours following unprotected sexual intercourse prevents that egg from implanting in the uterus, even in the presence of a fertilized egg. However, it is known that the protection of morning-after pills taken after the first 24 hours in daily practice decreases. They may cause menstrual irregularity in the month they are used.
Birth control injections, plasters
Monthly injections
These drugs, which contain both estrogen and progesterone, have a high protection rate when administered regularly every month. The biggest advantage over pills is that it is easier to comply with the patient as it must be done once a month. Mistakes and forgetting experienced in pills do not occur when these needles are used. It is recommended to be used in the first seven days (preferably the first day) of menstruation. It is not recommended to be used by lactating women as it reduces breast milk and reduces its quality. It acts with the principle of suppressing ovulation and preventing the passage of sperm by thickening the cervical secretions. The disadvantage of these drugs, which are administered as intramuscular injection, is that during use, intermediate bleeding, d It is seen more frequently than other methods.
Subcutaneous implants
A capsule containing progesterone, 40 mm long, 2 mm thick, like a matchstick, is placed under the skin on the inner surface of the upper arm in the form of an implant. In the first 24 hours following the procedure, the level of progesterone in the blood reaches a level that will prevent pregnancy. .
What are the most common side effects?
The most common problem of this method is irregular bleeding. After a while, the amount of bleeding gradually decreases, and even after a while, there may be no menstrual bleeding. This situation, which is unacceptable for some women, should be reminded to women who want to use the method. br>It provides protection with a principle similar to birth control pills. There are 3 tapes in a box. These tapes are attached to one of the arm, leg and hip areas, each staying for a week. Ovulation is prevented by the hormones it secretes into the blood from where it attaches. Side effects, as with all hormonal methods; most commonly occurs as bleeding irregularities. There may be skin sensitivity where the patch sticks, so it is recommended to stick each patch in a different place. When the patch comes out, it should be tried to be re-glued, if it does not stick, a new patch should be attached and kept until the day it should remain, and then it should be replaced with a new one. If the patch has not been in contact with the skin for more than 24 hours, a new box should be started and an additional protection method should be applied for one week. is a method of protection. This ring, which is placed in the vagina, is removed after 3 weeks of use and menstrual bleeding occurs in this one-week period when the ring is not used. This ring, which is extremely simple to place, has a low hormone content, high efficiency, and breakthrough bleeding is less common than pills.
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