Birth Control :: Contraceptives, Birth Control Essays

The practice of take over suppress preventsconception, thus limiting reproduction. The callbirth control, coined by Marg bet SANGER in1914, usually refers specifically to methods ofcontraception, including STERILIZATION. Theterms family readiness and planned parenthoodhave a broader application. METHODS OFBIRTH CONTROL Attempts to control fertilityhave been going on for thousands of years.References to preventing conception are shew inthe writings of priests, philosophers, andphysicians of ancient Egypt and Greece. Somemethods, though crude, were based on soundideas. For example, women were advised to puthoney, olive oil, or oil of true cedar in their vaginas toact as barriers. The stickiness of these substanceswas thought to slow the movement of sperm intothe uterus. Wads of soft wool soaked in lemonsuccus or vinegar were apply as tampons, in thebelief that they would draw and quarter the vagina sufficientlyacidic to kill the sperm. The Talmud mentionsusing a piece of dis infect to block the cervix, theentrance to the uterus. Sperm Blockage Severalmodern methods of birth control are practiced bycreating a barrier in the midst of the sperm and the eggcell. This consists of the use of a chemical foam, acream, or a suppository. Each contains achemical, or spermicide that stops sperm. Theyare not harmful to vaginal tissue. Each must beinserted unawares before COITUS. Foams aresquirted from aerosol containers with nozzles orfrom applicators that dispense the correct heart and soulof foam and spread it over the cervix creams andjellies are squeezed from tubes and held in swanby a diaphragm or other device andsuppositories--small pliable pellets melted by bodyheat--are inserted by hand. More effective atkeeping sperm and egg apart are mechanicalbarriers such(prenominal) as the diaphragm and cervical cap(both used with a spermicide), the sponge, and thecondom. A diaphragm is a shallow rubber cup thatis coated with a spermicide and positioned overthe cer vix before intercourse. Size is importantwomen penury to have a pelvic examination and geta prescription drug for the proper diaphragm. Thecervical cap, less than half the size but used in thesame way, has been available worldwide fordecades. It was not popular in the United States,however, and in 1977 it failed to gain approval bythe Food and do drugs Administration (FDA) in1988, the FDA again permitted its sale. Thecontraceptive sponge, which keeps its spermidicalpotency for 48 hours aft(prenominal) being inserted in thevagina, was approved in 1983. Like thediaphragm and cervical cap, the sponge has anestimated effectiveness rate of about 85%. Thedevices only rarely produce side effects such asirritation and hypersensitive reactions and, very rarely,infections. The condom, a rubber sheath, is rolled