Family planning

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

(Redirected from Family-planning)

Family planning refers to the strategies employed by individuals and couples to control the number of children they have and the intervals between their births. This is achieved primarily through the use of contraceptive methods, but family planning may also involve medical interventions and practices to achieve pregnancy. The intent behind family planning is to empower individuals and couples with the ability to decide when and how many children to have, enhancing reproductive health and allowing for better family economics. Family planning can incorporate a wide range of activities, from natural methods of fertility awareness to artificial methods like hormonal contraception, barrier methods, and intrauterine devices. Additionally, it also encompasses education and counseling on reproductive health, including discussions about safer sex, sexually transmitted infections, and infertility.

Family planning methods (8329687815)

Contraceptive Methods[edit | edit source]

Natural Family Planning[edit | edit source]

Ogino-rueda

Natural family planning (NFP), or fertility awareness-based methods, involves tracking a woman's menstrual cycle to determine when she can get pregnant. Examples include the Billings Ovulation Method, the Sympto-Thermal Method, and the Standard Days Method.

Artificial Contraceptive Methods[edit | edit source]

Ortho tricyclen

Artificial contraceptive methods include hormonal contraceptives, such as oral contraceptive pills, contraceptive patches, and contraceptive injections; intrauterine devices; barrier methods, such as condoms and diaphragms; and permanent methods, such as sterilization.

Achieving Pregnancy[edit | edit source]

Family planning is not solely about preventing pregnancy. For those wanting to conceive, family planning can include strategies to maximize the likelihood of successful conception, such as fertility treatments or lifestyle modifications.

Benefits of Family Planning[edit | edit source]

Family planning has a range of social, economic, and health benefits. It can reduce the risk of unintended pregnancies and abortions; support the health of women by reducing the risk of closely spaced and ill-timed pregnancies; and contribute to population control efforts, particularly in resource-limited settings.

Access and Services[edit | edit source]

Access to family planning services varies globally. Many healthcare organizations and governments provide such services, but barriers such as cost, societal norms, and lack of knowledge can limit accessibility.

Ethical and Societal Issues[edit | edit source]

Family planning policies and practices can raise ethical and societal concerns. These often center on the rights of individuals to decide freely and responsibly on the number and spacing of their children.

References[edit | edit source]

  • World Health Organization. Family planning/Contraception. 8 February 2018.
  • Sonfield A, Hasstedt K, Kavanaugh ML, Anderson R. The Social and Economic Benefits of Women's Ability To Determine Whether and When to Have Children. New York: Guttmacher Institute; 2013.
  • Cleland J, Conde-Agudelo A, Peterson H, Ross J, Tsui A. Contraception and health. Lancet. 2012 Jul 14;380(9837):149-56.
Family planning Resources
Wikipedia



WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD