Definition and Other Names
Contraception is the utilization of various devices to purposely prevent pregnancy. Some of the devices used are chemicals, drugs, surgical or non-surgical procedures, some techniques and sexual practices. There are also several types of contraceptives that have been officially known as “contraception” simply because they exhibited reliability in preventing conception from happening.
Contraception is also known under several names like: family planning, contraceptives, pregnancy prevention, fertility control and birth control.
History
Contraception has been outlawed and restricted in the U.S. until June 7, 1965 when the Supreme Court ruled in the case of Griswold v. Connecticut. It was then ruled out that married couples have the right to make their own decisions about whether to or not to use contraception.
By 1972 via Eisenstadt v. Baird case, the Supreme Court ruled that even unmarried couples have the same right as the married ones to use or not use contraceptive methods.
Various Types of Contraception
- Oral: pertains to minipill or combination pills that are taken by mouth daily.
- Worn: pertains to condoms that men wear on their penises to avoid the sperm from entering the vagina; and patch(es) by women.
- Inserted: pertains to the type of contraception that can be put into the vagina to block the sperm from reaching the egg or release hormones.
- Sponge
- Female condom
- Spermicide
- Diaphragm
- NuvaRing
- IUDs
- Injected or Implanted: pertains to contraceptives such as Depo Provera and Nexplanon.
- Behavioral: pertains to the actions such as monitoring changes in a woman’s body to know the schedule of her ovulation.
- Surgical: pertains to common methods for permanent contraception such as vasectomy (for male) and tubal ligation (for female).
Note: Know that there is no such thing as 100% foolproof contraception except for ABSTINENCE.