According to Merck, the definition of family planning is using a variety of methods to prevent pregnancy. The only way pregnancy can be 100 percent avoided is through abstinence. Family planning can be based on personal beliefs and, in some cases, religion. Understanding how family planning can work for you will help you make positive choices when it comes to your sexual health.
Personal Responsibility
One thing to consider in family planning is that everyone must take personal responsibility when it comes to birth control. Each individual engaging in sexual behavior, whether it be with a long term partner or not, should know how to protect themselves from both pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease. It is ultimately up to you to choose when you want to start a family or have another child. The Guttmacher Institute states that in a national survey of men that up to 78 percent feel that both men and women should share equal responsibility when it comes to contraception and child rearing.
Types of Contraception
Contraception is used as a way to prevent pregnancy. The American Pregnancy Association states contraception is divided into several categories including hormonal and barrier. Hormonal methods include birth control pills, injections, vaginal rings, patches and an intrauterine device (IUD). Barrier methods include the male and female condom, diaphragm, spermicide, sponge and cervical cap. Other less common methods include withdrawal and fertility awareness or natural family planning that relies on avoiding sexual activity during ovulation.
Permanent Methods
The Palo Alto Medical Foundation states that there are two permanent methods of family planning: tubal ligation and vasectomy. While they both are intended to last for several years, they can be reversed through surgery. A tubal ligation involves cauterizing or tying the ends of the fallopian tubes in order to prevent the release of the egg. A complete or partial hysterectomy cannot be reversed. This surgery involves removing all or some of the female reproductive organs. This is generally done because of an underlying medical concern or condition such as cancer or endometriosis. A vasectomy is performed on a male patient. The physician cuts the vas deferens---a tube that carries sperm out of the penis.
Reasons for Family Planning
K4 Health states that there are several reasons why people choose family planning, two of which are medically-oriented. Women who have pre-existing medical conditions or a history of miscarriages and still births may decide they want to wait to try again to get pregnant or choose adoption. Contraception or sterilization may be another alternative. Married or single sexually active women may want to be able to finish school or fulfill their career before having children. Contraception allows them to choose the right time for starting to have children.
Family Planning and Minors
When family planning involves a minor child under the age of 18, parents do not always have a say in what their child chooses to do regarding birth control. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states that the Title X Public Health Service Act allows a minor child to seek out birth control and counseling through community-based and state-funded clinics. Minors, both male and female, do not need parental consent to be on birth control or obtain condoms. All patient information is confidential through HIPAA--the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
