Birth Control

Birth control, also known as contraception, is designed to prevent pregnancy. Birth control methods may work in a number of different ways. These include

Blocking sperm from getting to the eggs - condoms and diaphragms work this way
Keeping the woman's ovaries from releasing eggs that could be fertilized - birth control pills work this way
Preventing fertilized egg from attaching to the lining of the uterus - intrauterine devices (IUDs) work this way
Sterilization, which permanently prevents a woman from getting pregnant or a man from being able to get a woman pregnant

Your choice of birth control should depend on several factors. These include your health, frequency of sexual activity, number of sexual partners and desire to have children in the future. Your health care provider can help you select the best form of birth control for you.

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Birth Control on Wikipedia

'''Birth control''' generally refers to any plan or method used to alter or avoid the body's natural state of fertility, thereby preventing or reducing the probability of human pregnancy without abstaining from sexual intercourse; the term is also sometimes used to include abortion and natural family planning. The term family planning is normally considered a synonym for the term birth control. Employing techniques to avoid pregnancy resulting from intercourse is called contraception (literally, ''against fertilisation''). Birth control is a controversial political and ethical issue in many cultures and religions. Opponents promote sexual abstinence as an alternative, but supporters of birth control claim that abstinence inhibits free sexual expression and human instincts.

History of birth control

Probably the oldest methods of contraception are ''coitus interruptus'', barrier contraception, herbal abortifacients, and attempts to arrange intercourse to coincide with a woman's non-fertile times, colloquially known as the "rhythm method". While it seems as if the rhythm method would have been a good choice, scientists did not figure out the details of the human menstrual cycle until the early 20th century. ''Coitus interruptus'' (withdrawal of the penis from the vagina prior to ejaculation) probably predates any other form of birth control. Once the relationship between the emission of semen into the vagina and pregnancy was known or suspected, some men probably managed to think through the haze of passion (emotion) and withdraw in time. This is not a particularly reliable method of contraception, as the small amount of fluid secreted prior to ejaculation (pre-ejaculate or "Cowper's fluid") can still contain sperm (this is explained below). However it requires no equipment and is still better than nothing. ... [ Read More ]

External Resources

Birth Control - German Krautrock Band Includes tour dates, history, discography, press, merchandise, links and fan-club.

Dalkon Shield - The only band named after a defective birth control device. Band slogan - modern love is a corporate crime.

Charlotte Perkins Gilman Tribute to Birth Control - Text of the poem, 'For Birth Control', from the Margaret Sanger Papers Project Newsletter.

BCRx - Provides birth control pills. Enrollment application and a fee.

Get the Pill - Provides online prescriptions for emergency contraception including "the morning after pill" and birth control pills.

Lady Melissa Pill Case with Alarm - Lady Melissa is a birth control pill case with alarm notification to remind you when to take that pill, includes ordering information.

National Center for Environmental Health (U.S. CDC) - Leadership to promote health & quality of life by preventing or controlling those diseases, birth defects, or disabilities resulting from interaction between people and the environment.

National Center for Environmental Health (U.S. CDC) - Leadership to promote health and quality of life by preventing or controlling those diseases, birth defects, or disabilities resulting from interaction between people and the environment. Site has information/education resources on a broad range of topics, including asthma, birth defects, radiation, sanitation, and lead in blood.

Reproductive and Sexual Health FAQ - Answers to questions asked during educational workshops and in Planned Parenthood of New York City health centers. Topics include abortion, birth control, masturbation, puberty, sexual orientation, and sexually transmitted diseases.

Related Pages on HealthTales.com:

Birth Defects
Infection Control
Weight Control

Birth Control

Birth Control on Wikipedia

History of birth control

External Resources

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