Contraception and Sterilization

Contraception concerns with the rightness or wrongness of the use of various methods by which conception can be prevented in the conjugal union. It is defined as the voluntary prevention of conception by the positive use of an artificial means which hinder the generative cells from uniting during the sexual act. It is synonymous to family planning, planned parenthood, responsible parenthood, and birth control. Family planning - Couples may decide to use certain contraceptive methods to plan the size of their family or the number of children they are going to budget. Planned or responsible parenthood - for the spacing of children Birth control - a misnomer because conception can be prevented but the birth of a fetus or child cant be prevented. It is the meeting or union of the sperm cell or the egg cell that is supposed to be prevented in the case of contraception, and not the birth of an already conceived life. Sterilization Also a form of contraception by cutting off the sexual capacity of a man or woman It is the mutilation of sexual power in a man or woman so as to render conception impossible. Sterilized individual can perform the conjugal act and can attain orgasm but cannot procreate Types of sterilization: a. Voluntary sterilization - a person wills or requests that the procedure be done on himself or herself. b. Involuntary or compulsory sterilization - done by order of the public authority of the state. Sterilization is considered therapeutic, contraceptive, eugenic and social, or punitive. Therapeutic sterilization is the removal of the reproductive organ or a portion thereof in order to save ones life or to promote bodily integrity. This is governed by the principle of totality which declares that an individual has the right to dispose of his organs or to destroy their capacity to function only to the extent that the general well-being of the whole body demands it Contraceptive sterilization is the intentional prevention of conception through sterilization. Justifications: 1. People with communicable diseases 2. Probability of genetic abnormalities 3. Severe financial burden 4. When child bearing puts ones health in danger Eugenic and social sterilization are performed for the purpose of hindering the conception of undesirable and physically or mentally unfit offspring. Punitive sterilization is done as a punishment or crime or antisocial behavior, particularly rape and other sex-related offenses. This is compulsory or involuntary sterilization.

Justifications of Contraception 1. Parenthood and birth are matters of moral responsibility and intelligent choice. It seeks to promote the conditions for the maximum enjoyment of the good and happy life, anchored of the right of the individual to growth of sound mind and body, to health and work, and to affirm and dignity.

2. An individual should be the one to determine his/her fertility, and should be able to control his/her fecundity. 3. One should be able to decide how many children one is able to bear and support. 4. Contraceptive technology makes men and women persons of will and decision, and not merely inert and powerless bodies subject to church proscriptions t to the divine will. 5. Contraception checks the transmission of recessive disorders or genetically link diseases.

Methods of Contraception or Family Planning

A. Folk methods - these methods have long been used for contraceptive purposes by the common tao. a. Precoital/postcoital douche Vinegar and brine (warm water with salt) is used in precoital douche. Postcoital douching is believed to flush out and immobilize sperm in the vagina. Another popular douche is Coca-cola. Douching does not eliminate all semen, and may damage normal vaginal mucus. Some women find it inconvenient. b. Prolonged lactation prolongation of milk production will delay ovulation. May not be effective because ovulation may return any time 2 to 4 months after delivery. c. Withdrawal most frequently used method, especially in teenagers. Also called coitus interruptus. The male withdraws his penis from the vagina immediately before ejaculation; hence coitus is interrupted prior to orgasm. This is not a reliable method because there may be sperm contained in the liquid that lubricates the male urethra during stimulation. A method similar to withdrawal is coitus reservatus, where the male withholds ejaculation just before orgasm and allows the erection to subside gradually; hence coitus is reserved. B. Mechanical methods - act as barriers to block the sperm from entering the uterus

a. Condom a sheath of latex rubber which is put on the penis during intercourse to prevent the sperm from entering the uterus. It does not only prevent conception but also provide protection against sexually transmitted diseases b. Diaphragm also called cervical cap or intracervical pessary, it is a dome-shaped latex rubber membrane that is placed in the vagina to close the opening of the cervix to prevent entrance of sperm. Conception may occur if the diaphragm is incorrectly inserted, or it may be dislodged during intercourse or other activities c. Sponge variation of the diaphragm. It is rectangular with a string attached for easy removal. C. Chemical methods - spermicides that prevent conception by killing sperms before they enter the uterine cavity or reach the fallopian tubes a. Vaginal suppositories and tablets inserted into the vagina about 10-15 minutes before copulation to allow it to melt. These are the most convenient forms of chemical contraceptives. b. Vaginal jellies, creams, and foams also inserted in the vagina shortly before copulation. There should be no douching of the vagina until six hours after coitus. It is reportedly the most effective spermicide available because it covers the walls of the vagina quickly and evenly with a thich film of foam.

D. Hormonal methods - have something to do with the production of hormones that affect a womans ovulation process and menstrual cycle E. a. Contaceptive pills combination of synthetic hormones estrogen and progestin, taken daily for about 20 to 21 days each month. Pills help maintain a constantly high hormone level which prevents the ovary from releasing an egg. Complications: thrombotic disorders, hypertension, post-pill amenorrhea, gall bladder disease, hepatoma, congenital defects, carcinoma, breast and vaginal changes. b. Injections and implants a biodegradable pill implant which is a combination of hormones and cholesterol that can be injected through a large-bore needle right through the mans skin. Implants and injections have the same mechanism of action on men as the contraceptive pills on women. F. Abortifacients - anything used to cause abortion or the expulsion of a fetus

a. Intrauterine device (IUD) small object made of plastic or stainless steel. It can discontinue pregnancy by irritating the linis of the uterus in such a way that the developing fetus cannot implant itself and dies. It is inserted in women who have already given birth, or just after menstruation b. DES (diethylstilbestrol) also known as the morning-after pill, it is a powerful hormone that forces the endometrium to shed. Some recommend this for incest and rape cases. c. Prostaglandins causes a violent contraction of the uterus, pushing out whatever is inside it. this drug is used in second-trimester abortion. d. Anti-pregnancy vaccine this vaccine makes the woman produce antibodies that neutralize human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). If the HCG level drops, then the woman menstruates and a miscarriage occurs. e. Low dose type of contraceptive pills they irritate and inflame the endometrium so that implantation cannot occur. G. Surgical Methods - methods of contraceptive sterilization

a. Tubal Ligation cutting and tying of both fallopian tubes, so that the sperm cannot reach the ovum for fertilization. Also known as band-aid surgery, because the scar after surgery is small enough to be covered with a band-aid. b. Vasectomy male sterilization in which the vas deferens are cut off and tied so that sperm from the testicles cannot pass through c. Hysterectomy refers to the complete removal of the uterus H. Natural or Behavioral Methods - properly speaking, these are not contraceptive methods because they do not involve the use of artificial means to prevent conception I. a. Rhythm or Calendar Method based on the biological fact that a woman experiences recurring cycles of fertility and nonfertility during each of her menstrual months. If conception is to be avoided, couples must abstain from sexual intercourse one week before and one week after ovulation day. This method has been rendered obsolete by the newer methods of family planning due to its uncertainties in length of fertility and sterility cycles. b. Temperature Method also known as basal body temperature method. To avoid conception, couples should abstain from sexual intercourse on the days when a sudden rise of body temperature occurs and is sustained for about three days.

c. Ovulation (Mucus) Method also called Billings method, in honor of Dr. John and Lyn Billings who developed it. Sexual relations should be avoided from the day the mucus appears until the third day after the peak symptom is recognized. The days from the fourth day after the peak symptoms to the next menstrual period are considered safe(infertile) days. d. Sympto-thermal method combination of the temperature method and the mucus method with the other symptoms of pain or cervical changes e. Sex relations during menstruation vaginal tissues and mucous secretions of the vagina and cervix that help nourish the sperm are carried away and washed out by the menstrual flow. The menstrual flow may not be conducive to the survival and motility of the sperms. Applications of Ethical Theories >Neo-scholastic ethicans/Minority of the members of a commission appointed by Pope Paul VI - Contraception is an interference with the natural inclination of man to procreate, hence it is morally wrong - The use of safe period or rhythm period is licit, because it does not interfere with the biological processes of human nature >Majority of the commission - majority of the members of the same commission took the position that contraception does not conflict with human nature and the natural law if it is practiced to promote responsible parenthood - Humans have dominion over their bodies; hence biological laws should not be identified with morality >Roman Catholic Church - Voluntary sterilization is intrinsically wrong because it involves the frustration of a natural power and function, hence it is contrary to the natural law >Utilitarianism - Justifies contraception and sterilization in terms of the great happiness and benefits that they will ultimately bring forth - Pragmatism considers the practicality, usefulness, and beneficiality of the practice of contraception >Situationism - views contraception and sterilization within the context of a given situation - in Fletchers view, making babies is just as good as making love, and we can and should make love even if we dont intend to make babies. Babies ought to be wanted and intended, not born by chance or accident. Hence, the best way to make love without making babies is to prevent their conception, either with the use of contraceptives or through sterilization - To be artificial or against nature is often the highest good