Why is family planning necessary today?

Population control assumes importance if one considers the fact that forty years ago the population of our country was a mere three hundred and forty million which, in 1981 had swelled to six hundred and seventy million, in 1991, increased to eight hundred and forty four million and, by the turn of the Country, may well escalate to the one billion mark! I his galloping increase have to be tackled on a war looting. The socio-economic benefits of family planning to the individual, society and nation cannot ho overemphasized. One needs to remember that Family Planning’ is ‘Family Welfare’.

Is vaginal douche after intercourse a safe method of contraception?

No. It is practiced as a method of local hygiene and not as a method of contraception.

Is Coitus interrupts a safe method of contraception?

No. Coitus interrupts involves withdrawal just prior to ejaculation so that ejaculation occurs extra vaginally. It requires repeated motivation ind a tremendous amount of will-power, during each act of coitus, to be effective. Hence, the failure rate is very high. Moreover, some men may not be able to predict the moment of inevitability every time. It also affects the response and performance as the individual is constantly under tension to withdraw at the moment of inevitability and is unable to enjoy the intimacy. This gives a tinge of mechanical sex and often leaves the partner unsatisfied.

What is Post Coital Contraception?

Post-coital contraception is the employment of a contraceptive measure after intercourse, within 48 to 72 hours of an unprotected intercourse. It is more effective when used within 24 hours.

1 Hormonal – This involves taking high doses of an estrogen (Diethyl stilboesterol — 25-50 mg/day for live days or ethinyl estradiol 0.5-5mg/day for five days) and is associated with high incidence of nausea and vomiting.

Alternatively two tablets of a combination pill (Ethinyl Ostradiol 100 micro gm and 0.5 mg levonorgestrel taken initially, followed by two more tablets after precisely twelve hours, can be given. If this type of contraceptive fails there is risk of foetal malformation. 2, IUCD — A simpler method is to introduce an IUCD, ii acceptable, especially a copper containing device.