Facts About Different Types of Birth Control In India That Every Woman Should Be Aware Of
India was the first country to make family planning as one of its socio-economic development policies back in 1952. A lot of Indians are now opting for birth control and other contraceptive methods in order to have a better and more structured plan around building a family. In order to adopt these methods it is vital to be well-informed about every type of birth control there is.
There was a time in our country when family planning was the main agenda of every Indian household. For some of us, it is still a prevalent structure of our homes - to get married and have children.
However, thanks to modernisation, a lot of Indians are now opting for birth control and other contraceptive methods in order to have a better and more structured plan around building a family.
There are several birth control methods available for women in India - Sterilisation, contraceptive pills and intra-uterine devices (IUDs). In fact, India was the first country to make family planning as one of its socio-economic development policies back in 1952. Given the obscene population figures of our nation, paying attention to birth control is very important.
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In order to adopt these methods, it is vital to be well-informed about every type of birth control there is out there. Only an educated approach to things leads to the best decisions, especially when it is regarding your health.
Birth Control Pills
Oral contraceptive pills are supposed to be taken on a daily basis in order to prevent pregnancy. However, there are women out there who take these pills for other reasons than to just avoid getting pregnant, PCOS being one of the main ones.
These pills help in thickening the cervical mucus along with making the lining of the uterus thinner. This prevents the sperm from fertilising with an egg which further prevents the pregnancy.
According to plenty of studies, it has been determined that out of 100 women who opt for oral contraception, only nine end up getting pregnant.
Birth control pills also have other advantages such as preventing acne, cysts in breasts and ovaries, iron deficiency and PMS. It also helps in regulating your menstrual cycle so that you can have healthier periods. Contrary to popular misconceptions, it is easy to get pregnant once you go off the pill.
However, it is extremely important to get a prescription from a doctor in order to determine which pill is the best for you.
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Female Sterilisation
Getting sterilised is a permanent way to prevent pregnancies and this involves two different procedures - tubal ligation and tubal implants. Both procedures involve the fallopian tubes to be blocked so that the sperm cannot come in contact with the egg.
'Having your tubes tied' or simply tubal ligation works by cutting, sealing, clipping or tying the fallopian tubes.
On the other hand, tubal implants involve a spring-like coil which is placed inside the tubes which further block their way. However, the coil takes around three months to fulfill its purpose and during that time, it is advised to use another form of birth control.
Sterilisation is a very effective way to prevent pregnancies and researchers have concluded that out of 100 women go who opt for it, only one of them might get pregnant.
These procedures should only be done in a medical facility and can be performed under general anesthesia.
Another pro about sterilisation is that it is a private choice and if you donĄ¯t want anyone to know about it, you can keep it to yourself without anyone ever finding out.
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Intra-Uterine Device (IUD)
An IUD is a device which is shaped like a ĄŽTĄ¯ and is just slightly bigger than a coin. The device fits into your uterus and prevents pregnancy by blocking the sperm from reaching the egg. The device also releases small amounts of the hormone progestin which is also available in birth control pills. The type of IUDs that can do that help the woman by making her periods lighter and is a really good decision for those who suffer from heavy periods.
Women who opt for IUDs as birth control measure, their chances of getting pregnant go down as low as 1%.
The best benefit of an IUD is that it lasts for a long time so you donĄ¯t have to worry about another method to prevent getting pregnant. However, they do not help in preventing STDs and it is best suited for people who are in monogamous relationships.
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However, even if you are well-informed about the various methods of birth control, everything should be done under the supervision of a medical expert and no one else.
