Birth Control is defined as various ways used to prevent pregnancy from
occurring. Birth Control has been a concern for humans for thousands of years.
The first contraception devices were mechanical barriers in the vagina that
prevented the male sperm from fertilizing the female egg. Other methods of birth
control that were used in the vagina were sea sponges, mixtures of crocodile
dung and honey, quinine, rock salt and alum. Birth Control was of interest for a
long time, but women did not worry to much about it because child death rates
were so high. They felt they needed to have many children just for a few to
survive. In the early 1800's death rates began to drop and people began to show
concern for controlling births. Early efforts to develop birth control met with
resistance from religious leaders and other groups. In 1873, the U.S. Congress
passed the Comstock Law, which regulated public access to birth-control devices
and information for the next 60 years. This prohibition, which made it illegal
to distribute any device, medicine or information designed to prevent
conception, applied even to doctors. During the early 1900's, Margaret Sanger
started the birth control movement in the United States. She and others opened
clinics to provide women with information and devices. She and her followers
were frequently jailed but were also able to change many laws. In 1930 the
courts in New York State held that in certain cases the sale of contraceptives
could be legal. This ruling by the court changed the Comstock Law. Other laws
also weakened the Comstock Law. It was not until 1972 that the Supreme Court
legalized birth control for unmarried persons. Methods of birth control that are
available today range from permanent procedures such as surgical sterilization
to temporary methods that must be used with each act of intercourse. The first
method is abstinence or no sex play, this will keep sperm from joining egg. This
method is difficult for many people because they have a hard time going without
sex for long periods of time and they forget to protect themselves when they
stop abstaining. The outercourse method means you will have sex play without
vaginal intercourse. This is also difficult for many people and they sometimes
forget to protect themselves. The most popular form of birth control in the U.S.
among married couples over the age of 30 is surgical sterilization. In the woman
this is done by severing and sealing off the Fallopian tubes. The tubes that
carry the egg from the ovary to the uterus. The operation is called a tubal
ligation. In the male, sterilization is accomplished by severing the two vas
deferens. The tubes that carry sperm from the testes to the penis. This
procedure is called a vasectomy. Surgical sterilization is relatively easy to
accomplish for either sex and is virtually free of known side effects, it is
also 100 percent effective. It should be considered a permanent method of birth
control. There are several chemical methods of birth control on the market. Oral
contraceptives or the pill, are chemicals that work by altering a woman's normal
hormonal patterns so that ovulation does not occur. Their introduction in the
late 1950's revolutionized birth control. The pill is nearly 100 percent
effective when taken according to directions. Some risks do exist when taking
the pill but usually for women who smoke or who are over the age of 35. A newer
more innovative method is called Norplant. This method consists of six small
capsules which is inserted under the skin of your upper arm. The capsules
constantly release small amounts of hormone that prevent the release of eggs and
thicken cervical mucus to keep sperm from joining the egg. Norplant is effective
for up to five years and can be easily removed at any time. Depo-Provera is an
even newer method of birth control. This is an injection of the synthetic
hormone medroxyprogesterone acetate, which prevents release of egg, thicken
cervical mucus to keep sperm from joining egg and prevents fertilized egg from
implanting in uterus for about three months. Another type of chemical birth
control are spermicidal jelly, cream or foam. Spermicides can be used without
medical supervision, and must be used with each act of intercourse. These have
no side affects but must be used exactly according to instructions. Spermicides
can be up to 94% effective if used correctly. Barrier methods of birth control
prevent sperm from entering the uterus. These are available for both men and
women. Condoms are the oldest form of birth control used by men. When used
correctly they are 97% effective. Because condoms are easy to use, inexpensive,
no medical supervision and have no side effects they are the most common
contraceptive devices used worldwide. They are also used to prevent sexually
transmitted diseases. Another barrier device is the Diaphragm and Cervical Cap
used by women. The diaphragm is the most common and if used correctly is about
94% effective. These devices are inserted in the vagina with a spermicide to
prevent the sperm from joining the egg. A female condom has been developed but
it is said to be not as effective and a male condom and more expensive. IUDs or
Intrauterine devices are tiny metal or plastic loops or coils that are placed in
the uterus. They are about 97% effective. IUDs interfere with the implantation
of the fertilized egg into the lining of the uterus, some also release small
amounts of progesterone into the body to prevent conception. An IUD can remain
inserted for up to six years with plastic and 10 years for copper. Some women do
experience severe cramps and heavy bleeding when using this device. Fertility
Awareness Methods or FAMs is based on abstinence from sexual intercourse on days
when fertility is probable. Its effectiveness depends on user motivation and on
accurately predicting the times when the woman is ovulating. Prediction is
attempted either by monitoring changes in the woman's body temperature that
signals ovulation or by identifying changes in the cervical mucus that indicates
ovulation or both. Reported effectiveness of this method is about 80%. One of
the least talked about methods is the Emergency Contraception methods. Two types
exist the emergency IUD insertion and the emergency hormonal contraception.
Widespread use of emergency contraception could prevent an estimated 1.7 million
unintended pregnancies and 800,000 abortions each year. Women should only use
emergency contraceptives as a back up to their usual birth control method.
Millions of women around the world have used emergency contraceptives safely and
effectively. Emergency contraceptive pills are taken in two doses. The first
dose should be taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse, and the second
dose, 12 hours later. The other type of emergency contraception is the insertion
of an IUD will prevent pregnancy up to five days after intercourse. Today birth
control is widely practiced in the United States and all over the world. But in
the United States 42 million women of reproductive age, or 7 in 10, are sexually
active and do not want to become pregnant. Nearly half of America's 6 million
annual pregnancies are accidental. Unintended pregnancies result in 1.4 million
abortions annually, as well as 1.1 million births that women either did not want
to have until later or did not want at all. Eighty percent of teen pregnancies
are unintended, and each year, one in nine young women aged 15-19 become
pregnant; more than half become mothers.

Bibliography

1. Tortora and Anagnostakos, "Principles of Anatomy and Physiology",
(New York, 1984).
2. "Birth Control," Microsoft ® 96
Encyclopedia. © 1994, © Funk & Wagnalls Corporation.
3. Planned Parenthood Federation of America,
www.plannedparenthood.org/bc/contrachoices.htm

4. Planned Parenthood Federation of America,
Plannedparenthood.org / library / BIRTHCONTROL5. Alan Guttmacher Institute, Contraception
Counts; facts in brief (1998) available from agi-usa.org.