Family Planning - What Should You Know?

Hello everybody,

I am Dr. Smita Vats. I am a practicing gynecologist. So, today we will be discussing a little bit about family planning. Family planning is important because not only does it help us counterbalance the negative effects of overpopulation, but it also helps a woman be in control of her own life. So, as we know that India is the second most populated country in the world and the ill effects of overpopulation on education, social-economic structure, on overall health and well being of the population are quite well known. So, in order to counter those effects, it is important for women in India to be well informed and well educated about the various family planning options that we have nowadays. So, fortunately, because of the developments of modern science, we have multiple options available, which may suit every kind of a person. And first and foremost, the oral contraceptive pills that we can be using. The only thing is that you need to be careful about while using the oral contraceptive pill is that certain contraindications need to be ruled out before taking them. So you will need to consult your doctor about that and who would prescribe you after checking you up and taking the detailed history. Any history of high blood pressure or having clots in the legs or migraine may not be a good indicator for you to be taking oral contraceptive pills. So these tablets, they have to be taken orally every day, at roughly the same time every day for about three weeks a month. And then there is a pill-free week in which you are not taking any tablet and you usually get your period during that period. So, the important thing to remember while you are taking these tablets is that they have to be taken at the same time.everyday. If at all by any chance you miss one tablet or two tablets in between, make sure that you take tablet as soon as you remember and try not to miss more than one or two tablets during the month. Because that will reduce the contraceptive efficacy and you may end up having a contraceptive failure and being pregnant.

Another option is the Intrauterine devices in which the multi-load that is Copper T or Mirena that is the hormone-releasing intrauterine device may be inserted into the uterus that of course has to be done by the doctor, you can not do it yourself. And these devices act by a sort of introducing certain changes inlining of the uterus so that the pregnancy can not implant there and changes in the cervical mucus also. The hormone-releasing devices also act by releasing hormone progesterone which thins out the lining of the uterus and prevents the pregnancy from happening. The side effects may be that some people are more prone to infections with these and if at all a pregnancy happens while you are having an intrauterine device inside the uterus, you may end up having an ectopic pregnancy, which may be a dangerous situation to be in. Apart from that, there may be other hormonal injections that you can be taking. These injections are usually given once in three months. The side effect is that you may have intermittent spotting or you may not get your periods even after the injection has gone off for some time. So then again it has to be weighed properly in which people are suitable for these injections and who is not. And apart from that the most commonly used contraceptive option is the condom or vaginal diaphragm which are commonly available throughout the country. They again have to be used very carefully and have to be applied before any kind of genital contact is there. Although the failure rate may be higher if they are not properly used they are very convenient to use and have minimum side effects and are suitable for most people. Then of course if somebody has well grown-up children, has more than two children and is very sure that they don't need children, they can go for sterilization operations and such surgeries. But these surgeries usually are considered irreversible and are recommended only if you are really sure that you don't want any further children. And various effects and side effects can be discussed in detail with your doctor and is surely advisable for a person going for the family planning if at all you want to be a good life plan for your life.

Thank you.