FAMILY PLANNING

Family Planning (FP) is having the desired number of children and when you want to
have them by using safe and effective modern methods. Proper birth spacing is having children
3 to 5 years apart, which is best for the health of the mother, her child, and the family.

Benefits of Family Planning

Mother
 Enables her to regain her health after delivery.
 Gives enough time and opportunity to love and provide attention to her husband and
children.
 Gives more time for her family and own personal advancement.
 When suffering from an illness, gives enough time for treatment and recovery.

Father
 Lightens the burden and responsibility in supporting his family.
 Enables him to give his children their basic needs (food, shelter, education, and better
future).
 Gives him time for his family and own personal advancement.
 When suffering from an illness, gives enough time for treatment and recovery.

Children
 Healthy mothers produce healthy children.
 Will get all the attention, security, love, and care they deserve.

*Other Benefits of Family Planning:

Sources: https://www.doh.gov.ph/node/1290
https://www.doh.gov.ph/node/1291
http://wikiprogress.org/articles/archive/family-planning/#Benefits_of_family_planning
Methods of Birth Control or Contraception

Male and Female Condoms

Condoms are the only single method that offers dual protection. Condoms are free of
charge at clinics and are affordable at some pharmacies and shops.

Pros Cons
 Condoms can protect you against  Condoms can break.
STIs.  You may have an allergic reaction to
 It prevents unwanted pregnancies. latex condoms.
 Condoms are free and easily  You need to find the right size as a
accessible. bigger size can slip off.
Hormone Patches
This contraceptive is a sticker with three layers. It thickens your cervical mucus and
prevents sperm from entering your womb. You can apply it to your lower and upper body, but
not around your breasts.

Pros
 It can prevent menstrual cramps.
 It helps to prevent acne.
 It is easy to use.
Cons
 It does not protect against STIs.
 If your patch is exposed to a lot of
light, it may not be as effective.
 You may get blood clots, but there is
very little chance of that happening.

Oral Contraception for Women (the Pill)

These pills come in a packet of 28 and you should take them once daily at the same
time. There are two main types: combined oral contraceptive (COC) pills and progestogen-only
contraceptive (POP) pills.
Pros
 The pill can offer relief from painful menstrual cramps.
 It can reduce acne.
 It is also free of charge at most clinics.
Cons
 It does not protect against STIs.
 You may experience migraines and gain weight.
 It also increases your risk of suffering a stroke.

Contraceptive Injection for Women

There are two types: Nur-Isterate, which is
given every two months (eight weeks) and Depo
Provera or Petogen (DMPA) which is given every three
months (12 weeks).
Pros Cons
 You don’t need to remember to take  You may have an irregular
it every day. menstrual cycle.
 It is effective in preventing  Fertility may only return a few weeks
pregnancy. after you stop the injection.
 It gives protection against womb  You can gain weight.
cancer.

Intrauterine device (IUD)

An IUD is a small device that is put into a women's uterus (womb) by a specially trained
health worker.
Pros
 The UID can prevent pregnancy for at
least five years.
 The device can be removed at any
time.
 It can reduce menstrual bleeding.
Cons
 It can increase pain when you’re
menstruating.
 You may experience painful headaches
and backaches.
 It does not protect against STIs.

Emergency contraception
You can use this to prevent pregnancy after unprotected and unconsenual sex. If you
suspect that the contraception used during sexual intercourse did not work properly, you should
also use it. Copper IUDs are also used for emergency contraception.

Pros Cons
 It’s available at most pharmacies.  You may experience nausea,
 You don’t need a prescription. headaches and fatigue after using
 It is highly effective. the pill.
 It does not protect against STIs.
 You have abdominal pain after using
it.
Male and female sterilisation
This is a permanent contraceptive method for both women and men. Before you receive
this treatment, a health care worker should provide counselling.

Pros
 It is a short and simple procedure.
 It's free at some health care
facilities.
 It protects against pregnancy
Cons
 It does not prevent STIs.
 The process can be reversed, but it
doesn’t mean that you’ll be able to
fall pregnant again.
 You may experience some pain but
should see your doctor for treatment.
Sources:
https://www.westerncape.gov.za/service/contraception-family-planning
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001946.htm
https://www.stayathomemum.com.au/my-kids/birth-control-options/birth-control-patch-101/

Different Types of Birth Control Pills

Progestin-Only Birth Control Pills

Birth control pills keep you from getting pregnant. The pills with only progestin come in
28-day packs. Every pill is active. Each has only progestin, and no estrogen. These types of
birth control pills are used for women who have medical reasons that prevent them from taking
a combination oral contraceptive pill (pills that contain progestin and estrogen).

Women who take progestin-only pills may:

 Have migraine headaches
 Be breastfeeding
 Have a history of blood clots
 Progestin-only pills are very effective if taken
correctly.

Progestin-only pills work by making your mucus

too thick for sperm to move through.
Combination Birth Control Pills

Combination birth control pills contain both

estrogen and progestin. Some combination birth
control pills allow you to have fewer periods each
year. These are called “continuous or extended-
cycle pills.” Ask your health care provider about
dosing options to decrease the frequency of your
menstrual cycles.

Birth control pills come in packages. You

take pills from a 21-pack once a day for 3 weeks,
then you do not take pills for 1 week. It may be
easier to remember to take 1 pill every day, so
other pills come in a 28-pack of pills, with some
having active pills (containing hormones) and some with no hormones.

There are 5 types of combination birth control pills. Your provider will help you
choose the right one for you. The 5 types are:

1. One phase pills: These have the same amount of estrogen and progestin in all the active
pills.
2. Two phase pills: The level of hormones in these pills changes once during each
menstrual cycle.
3. Three phase pills: Every 7 days the dose of hormones changes.
4. Four phase pills: The dose of hormones in these pills changes 4 times each cycle.
5. Continuous or extended cycle pills: These keep the level of hormones up so you have
few or no periods.

Note: The last week of birth control pills usually consists of inactive pills, which do not contain
any hormones. They are sometimes called placebo pills or sugar pills.

*Placebo Pills*
Placebo pills do not contain any active hormones.
In most cases, the placebo pills are sugar pills that do not
contain any active hormones. However, some brands of
pill also include other vitamins or minerals, such as iron or
folic acid.
The placebo pills are there to mimic the natural
menstrual cycle, but there is no real medical need for
them.
People usually get their period while taking the
placebo pills because the body reacts to the drop in
hormone levels by shedding the uterine lining.

Sources:
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000656.htm
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000655.htm
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323138.php