DOCSLIB.ORG

Unit 10 Individual Measures of Population Control

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Unit 10 Individual Measures of Population Control UNIT 10 INDIVIDUAL MEASURES OF POPULATION CONTROL 10.1 Objectives 10.2 Individual Measures of Population Control: An Overview 10.2.1 Conditions for Birth Control by Individuals 10.2.2 Classification of Individual Measures of Population Control 10.3 Pre-marriage Measures of Population Control by Individuals 10.3.1 Adhering to Legal Age of Marriage 10.3.2 Delaying Marriage to an Ideal Age of Marriage 10.4 Post-marriage Measures of Population Control by Individuals 10.4.1 Male Methods and Techniques of Family Planning 10.4.1.1 Natural Methods: Physical or Behavioural Methods 10.4.1.2 Mechanical Method: Sheath or Condom 10.4.1.3 Male Sterilization (Permanent Methods) 10.4.2 Female Methods and Techniques of ContraceptiodFamily Planning 10.4.2.1 Natural Family Planning Methods: Biological Contraceptive Methods 10.4.2.2 Chemical Contraceptives: Spermicides 10.4.2.3 Mechanical Contraceptives (Vaginal and Intra-Uterine Devices) 10.4.2.4 Immunization against Conception: Spermatoxins and Hormones 10.4.2.5 Female Sterilization (Permanent Methods) 10.4.3 Ideal Contraceptive: Characteristics 10.5 Let Us Sum Up 10.6 Answers to 'Check Your Progress' Questions 10.7 References 1 10.0 INTRODUCTION Population Control methods and techniques. After going through this unit, we expect you to be able Measures: Individual, National and International to: Explain the significance of the pre-marriage and post-marriage m that the individuals can take to control population change in the c direction; Identify and analyse the relative merits and demerits of different m and techniques of contraception, both temporary and permanent; Choose appropriate method(s) and technique(s) of contraception in the given context of individual measures for population control; and Promote adoption by others of appropriate methods and techniques of contraception with a view to enhance contribution of all the capable and eligible individuals to population control. 10.2 INDIVIDUAL MEASURES OF POPULATION CONTROL: AN OVERVIEW Ij. I Individual measures of population control can play significant role in determining the size of not only the family but also the community, nation and the world. At the micro-level, these measures assume greater significance as they have direct bearing on the individual(s) concerned as well as the entire family. The conditions under which the individuals are required to resort to birth control (spacing or prevention) vary froin individual to individual. Thus, the basic objective of the individual measures is to protect and promote the health of the individual partners1 parents, depending upon their own conditions and the welfare of their progeny. Let us have a brief overview of the conditions under which the birth control measures by individuals become either compulsory or voluntary, within the relevant choices available to them. 10.2.1 Conditions for Birth Control by Individuals There are some medical conditions in respect of individuals which serve as essential conditions for birth control. These conditions, according to Hannah and Abraham Stone (1976, pp. 122-123), include the following. 1) There are several medical conditions which make a pregnancy hazardous to the woman. Certain diseases of the heart, for instance, or of the kidneys, tuberculosis, diabetes, previous caesarean .sections, or even certain types of psychopathic disorders may make childbearing or child birth dangerous. Under such circumstances the use of birth control measures become medically necessary to conserve the health or even to preserve the life of the woman. 2) The use of contraceptives may also become necessary for eugenic reasons. When either the husband or the wife suffers fiom a physical or mental disorder that might be transmitted to offspring. 3) Regarding the question of the spacing of children, it is quite generally I accepted that there should be a definite interval between successive childbearing. Lack of proper spacing of births has deleterious effect upon 1 both the mother and her offspring as has been shown by a number of statistical 6 studies. In the context of familial and social life, the reproductive stage of life of an Individual Measures of Papulation Control individual can effectively be divided into two significant stages - pre-marriage life andpost-marriage life. Both the stages can be effectively controlled by the individual with a view to regulate the population change at family level as well - as to improve the quality of family life as an individual member prior to marriage and as a mamage partner later. This is possible only when the individual is aware of different measures that helshe can take to control the population change at the individual level. 10.2.2 Classification of Individual Measures of Population Control Here, we attempt to present you an overview of broad classification of different individual measures of population control. These measures can be conveniently '1 - - divided into the following two broad types. i) Pre-marriage measures: The pre-marriage measures include adhering to the legally prescribed age of marriage and delaying the marriage beyond legal age of marriage till the person is sound enough to sustain the married life so as to make it more meaningful and enjoyable with better quality of life than it otherwise would be. While the individual's choice here is limited to delaying the marriage, hisher decisions in this regard are mostly dependent on factors such as educational level, sex, religion, economic status or income which have serious implications at micro level, i.e. individual and family level. ii) Post-marriage measures: These measures are many and varied and .: primarily aim at delaying the conception or spacing the child births -adoption of contraceptive methods and techniques to plan or control the family size. These measures can be conveniently classified into the following broad categories. Male methods and female methods of family planning. Primitive methods of birth control and modem methods of planned parenthood. Spacing methods and sterilization methods or temporary methods and t permanent methods of contraception. Irrespective of the categorization, the range of methods and techniques that fall under any type of classification is the same and include the following. a) Natural methods such as celibacy, abstinencelcontinence, coitus intermptus, coitus reservatus, lactation or breast-feeding, safe periodJrhythm (calendar and temperature methods). b) Chemical methods like douche, suppositories, tablets and powders, jellies, pastes and creams, foam powder, etc. c) Mechanical devices like sheath or condom, diaphragm, cervical caps, intra- uterine contraceptive devices (IUDs); d) Immunization against conception such as spermatoxins and synthetic hormones - oral pills, emergency contraceptives; Population Control J Sterilization (Permanent methods): Exposure of sex glands to heat or X- Measures: Individual, National and International rays, male and female sterilization through surgery. With this brief overview, we will now discuss the pre-marriage and post-marriage individual measures in detail. 10.3 PRE-MARRIAGE MEASURES OF POPULATION CONTROL BY INDIVIDUALS As mentioned above, the pre-marriage measures are limited and include t: following: i) adhering to the legal age of marriage, and ii) delaying marrial?. beyond the legal age of marriage and follow the age that is ideal for one's marriagt . The legal age of marriage is aimed at ensuring minimum maturity on the part of an individual so as to enable himher to cope up with and sustain the married life and to reduce the mean duration of marriage and natural fertility. While it is possible for a woman to bear as many as 15 children in her lifetime, as a result of natural fertility. But, this is rare. Rather, parents universally chose to limit family size because too many children present costs in excess of benefits. Thus, many traditional values and practices foster procreative restraint. Pregnancy can be avoided by celibacy and late marriage and sexual abstinence. Celibacy, however, is not advisable as it is not in the best interest of continuation of the race of human population. Hence, in this section, we will focus on the legal age of marriage and delayed marriage. 10.3.1 Adhering to Legal Age of Marriage Age at which marriage is conducted among males and females has direct bearing on several social and demographic outcomes, particularly on the mean duration of marriage and fertility. The legal marriageable age for men and women in India is 2 1 and 18 years respectively. Among the ever married women in rural areas, age at consummation of marriage is below 18 years (violation of legal age of marriage) in the case of 48.8 percent of them, as against 32.6 percent in the case of the urban ever married women. However, the overall mean age at marriage is 24 years for men and 19.8 years for women, which conforms to the legal regulation. About 87 percent of the unmarried women are aware about the legally prescribed minimum age at marriage for boys and girls in India. Expressing their opinion regarding the ideal age of marriage for boys and girls, ninety percent of the unmarried women reported the ideal age of marriage for boys and girls as 2 1 years and above and 18 years and above respectively (IIPS, 2010, See http:// www.rchiips.org/pdflINDIA-REPORT-DLHS-3.pdf).But, the study would have given more meaningful finding had it exactly come out with specific ideal age ranges for boys and girls. Nevertheless, it is clear from the above that there is strong need to prevent existing trend in marriages of women occurring in violation of legal age of marriage (48.8 percent rural, and 32.6 percent urban). If the individuals stick to at least the legal age of marriage, let alone the ideal age of marriage, that would be their significant contribution towards population control. 10.3.2 Delaying Marriage to an Ideal Age of Marriage At the country level, mean number of children ever born to women in the age group 15-49 is found to be slightly less than three children (2.81 children per 8 Individual Measures of woman) comprising on average 1.48 male children and 1.33 female children Population Control ever born (IIPS, 20 10, ibid).
Load more

Recommended publications
  • INTRAUTERINE INSEMINATION of HUSBAND's SEMEN Departments
    INTRAUTERINE INSEMINATION OF HUSBAND'S SEMEN B. N. BARWIN Departments of Physiology and Midwifery & Gynaecology, The Queen's University of Belfast, Northern Ireland (Received 11 th January 1973) Summary. Fifty patients with primary infertility were treated by intra- uterine insemination of the husband's semen which had been stored. Thirty patients had sperm counts of greater than 20 \m=x\106/ml with 50% motility and twenty patients had oligospermia (<20 \m=x\106/ml). The technique of storage of semen is reported and the intrauterine method described. The r\l=o^\leof the buffer solution is discussed in over- coming the complications of intrauterine insemination. A success rate of 70% is reported in the normospermic group and 55% in the oligo- spermic group over nine cycles of intrauterine insemination of husband's semen. INTRODUCTION One of the main problems confronting the gynaecologist in the investigation of infertility is the consistent finding of immotile spermatozoa, spermatozoa of low motility and low sperm count in the cervical mucus or semen (Scott, 1968). There was considerable controversy among earlier workers in the field that the sperm count was substandard if it fell below 60 106/ml but MacLeod (1962) has carried out considerable research in this field and it is now generally accepted that true oligospermia is represented by counts of less than 20 IO6/ ml provided the motility is good. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Selection of cases Fifty couples with primary infertility of between 3 and 14 years' duration were selected. The age distribution was between 24 and 41 years. In all cases, the wives had been subjected to a full clinical investigation.
    [Show full text]
  • American Family Physician
    Natural Family Planning - American Family Physician http://www.aafp.org/afp/2012/1115/p924.html BRIAN A. SMOLEY, CDR, MC, USN, Camp Pendleton, California CHRISTA M. ROBINSON, LCDR, MC, USN, Naval Hospital Lemoore, Lemoore Station, California Am Fam Physician. 2012 Nov 15;86(10):924-928. Related editorials: Is Natural Family Planning a Highly Effective Method of Birth Control? Yes: Natural Family Planning is Highly Effective and Fulfilling (http://www.aafp.org/afp/2012/1115/od1.html) and No: Family Natural Family Planning Methods Are Overrrated (http://www.aafp.org/afp/2012/1115/od2.html). Patient information: See related handout on natural family planning (http://www.aafp.org/afp/2012/1115/p924-s1.html), written by the authors of this article. Related letter: Physicians Need More Education About Natural Family Planning (http://www.aafp.org/afp/2013/0801/p158.html) Natural family planning methods provide a unique option for committed couples. Advantages include the lack of medical adverse effects and the opportunity for participants to learn about reproduction. Modern methods of natural family planning involve observation of biologic markers to identify fertile days in a woman's reproductive cycle. The timing of intercourse can be planned to achieve or avoid pregnancy based on the identified fertile period. The current evidence for effectiveness of natural family planning methods is limited to lower-quality clinical trials without control groups. Nevertheless, perfect use of these methods is reported to be at least 95 percent effective in preventing pregnancy. The effectiveness of typical use is 76 percent, which demonstrates that motivation and commitment to the method are essential for success.
    [Show full text]
  • U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use, 2016
    Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Recommendations and Reports / Vol. 65 / No. 3 July 29, 2016 U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use, 2016 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Recommendations and Reports CONTENTS Introduction ............................................................................................................1 Methods ....................................................................................................................2 How to Use This Document ...............................................................................3 Keeping Guidance Up to Date ..........................................................................5 References ................................................................................................................8 Abbreviations and Acronyms ............................................................................9 Appendix A: Summary of Changes from U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use, 2010 ...........................................................................10 Appendix B: Classifications for Intrauterine Devices ............................. 18 Appendix C: Classifications for Progestin-Only Contraceptives ........ 35 Appendix D: Classifications for Combined Hormonal Contraceptives .... 55 Appendix E: Classifications for Barrier Methods ..................................... 81 Appendix F: Classifications for Fertility Awareness–Based Methods ..... 88 Appendix G: Lactational
    [Show full text]
  • Infertility Services
    LACTATIONAL AMENORRHEA AND OTHER FERTILITY AWARENESS BASED METHODS I. INTRODUCTION Fertility Awareness Based Methods (FAB) or Natural Family Planning (NFP) interprets signs and patterns of fertility to identify days in each menstrual cycle when intercourse is most likely to result in a pregnancy. This information may be used to avoid or achieve pregnancy. Couples who use a barrier method on fertile days or who abstain from intercourse during a woman’s fertile period are using fertility awareness- combined method/natural family planning. Natural family planning methods used to prevent pregnancy are 75-98% effective. Women with conditions that make pregnancy an unacceptable risk should be advised that FAB methods might not be appropriate for them because of the relatively higher typical-use failure rates of these methods. Natural Family Planning may be indicated for purposes of: A. Conception B. Avoiding pregnancy C. Detecting pregnancy (basal body temperature) D. Detecting impaired fertility (charting fertility signs and determining infrequent or absent ovulation with basal body temperature) E. Detecting need for medical attention (change in cervical secretions, abdominal pain, and other signs and symptoms may indicate need for medical attention- reproductive tract infections) II. GENERAL INFORMATION One or more indicators are used to identify the beginning and end of the fertile time in the menstrual cycle. In most cycles, ovulation occurs on or near the middle of the cycle. The fertile period lasts for about 6 days (5 days preceding ovulation and day of ovulation). In cycles that range between 26 and 32 days long (approx 78% of the cycles) the fertile period is highly likely to fall within days 8 to 19.
    [Show full text]
  • Natural Family Planning Fact Sheet
    Natural Family Planning Fact Sheet ____________________________________________________________________________ 24-hour Emergency Number/Location WHAT’S INSIDE: SOURCES: What is the natural family planning? Office on Women’s Health Basal body temperature method Calendar Method Birth Control Methods: Frequently Cervical Mucus Method Asked Questions How effective are natural family Fertility Awareness planning methods? Advantages of natural family Centers for Disease Control and planning Prevention Drawbacks of natural family planning Unintended Pregnancy Prevention: Contraception U.S. Department of Health & Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. Oklahoma State Department of Health ODH Form 337 MCH/Perinatal & Reproductive Health Division/Family Planning Program Revised Oct 2014 Office of Population Affairs Natural Family Planning Fact Sheet How effective is natural family planning? Of 100 couples who use natural family planning methods each year, anywhere from 1 to 25 will become pregnant. Natural family planning can be an effective type of birth control if all three methods are used and if all are always used correctly. What is natural family planning? A woman with a normal menstrual cycle has about 8 days a month when she can get pregnant. These include the five days before she ovulates (when an egg is released), the day she ovulates, and about one to two days after ovulation. Natural family planning (sometimes known as fertility awareness or the rhythm method) is an approach to birth control some couples use to predict when these fertile days happen. It involves paying close attention to the menstrual cycle by using methods that include: Basal Body Temperature Method Calendar Method Cervical Mucus Method When all three methods are used together, it is known as the symptothermal method.
    [Show full text]
  • Fertility Awareness Methods Do Not Work If You Do Not Have Regular Periods
    Fertility Awareness What is Fertility Awareness? Fertility Awareness allows you to prevent pregnancy without using any drugs or devices. Natural Family Planning (NFP) is another name for Fertility Awareness. What makes Fertility Awareness unique? Fertility awareness differs from other types of birth control. Birth control prevents sperm from meeting eggs. Most birth control must be used each time you have sex. Fertility awareness tells you when you are most likely to become pregnant. These are your fertile days. Fertility awareness requires you to avoid vaginal sex on your fertile days. Things to Know Fertility awareness does NOT require you to use pills or condoms or to have devices in your body. Fertility awareness is a safe method of birth control. Fertility awareness is acceptable to some religions that oppose birth control. Fertility awareness does NOT protect against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI). You cannot have vaginal sex on fertile days. Fertility awareness methods do not work if you do not have regular periods. Infections and some medications can cause changes in vaginal mucus, making some fertility awareness methods harder to use. Unprotected anal, oral, and vaginal sex may raise your chances of getting HIV or other STIs. Withdrawal and avoiding vaginal sex can be used as backup methods during your fertile days. Important Terms Period – the days of your menstrual cycle when you have vaginal bleeding. Menstrual Cycle – the length of time between the start of one period and the next. You ovulate (release an egg) in the middle of your menstrual cycle. You are most fertile on the days around ovulation.
    [Show full text]
  • Natural Family Planning BRIAN A
    Natural Family Planning BRIAN A. SMOLEY, CDR, MC, USN, Camp Pendleton, California CHRISTA M. ROBINSON, LCDR, MC, USN, Naval Hospital Lemoore, Lemoore Station, California Natural family planning methods provide a unique option for committed couples. Advantages include the lack of medical adverse effects and the opportunity for participants to learn about reproduction. Modern methods of natural family planning involve observation of biologic markers to identify fertile days in a woman’s reproductive cycle. The timing of intercourse can be planned to achieve or avoid pregnancy based on the identified fertile period. The current evidence for effectiveness of natural family planning methods is limited to lower-quality clini- cal trials without control groups. Nevertheless, perfect use of these methods is reported to be at least 95 percent effective in preventing pregnancy. The effectiveness of typical use is 76 percent, which demonstrates that motivation and commitment to the method are essential for success. Depending on the method, couples can learn about natural family planning methods in a sin- gle office visit, through online instruction, or from certified instructors. (Am Fam Physician. 2012;86(10):924-928. Copyright © 2012 American Academy of Family Physicians.) ▲ See related editorials amily planning allows individuals abstinence rather than an artificial contra- at http://www.aafp.org/ and couples to anticipate and attain ceptive method.2-4 afp/2012/1115/od1.html and http://www.aafp. the desired number, spacing, and Although less than 1 percent of respon- 1 org/afp/2012/1115/od2. timing of children. Fertility aware- dents to the 2006-2008 National Survey html. ness methods of family planning use one or of Family Growth reported current use of F ▲ Patient information: more biologic markers to identify fertile days NFP, 19 percent reported prior use of the A handout on natural fam- of a woman’s reproductive cycle.
    [Show full text]
  • The Art of Conception INFERTILITY SERVICES the Art of Conception
    the art of conception INFERTILITY SERVICES the art of conception Contents Welcome to Infertility Services at Kaiser Permanente 3 • WHAT IS INFERTILITY? • WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR SERVICES? • WHAT INFERTILITY SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS? • WHAT QUESTIONS SHOULD A MEMBER ASK? Overview: The Biology of Reproduction 4 • FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE ANATOMY • MENSTRUAL CYCLE AND OVULATION • MALE REPRODUCTIVE ANATOMY Overview: Some Causes of Infertility 6 • MEN OR WOMEN? • EGG QUALITY • WHEN TO CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR? What Can Couples Do to Increase the Chances of Getting Pregnant? 7 • BASAL BODY TEMPERATURE CHART • OVULATION PREDICTION KIT What Are Some Infertility Tests? 9 • FEMALE TESTS: BLOOD TESTS — 9 – FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE (FSH) & ESTRADIOL – PROGESTERONE – PROLACTIN AND HYPERPROLACTINEMIA – FASTING BLOOD SUGAR – RUBELLA • FEMALE TESTS: IMAGING STUDIES — 12 – HYSTEROSALPINGOGRAM (HSG) – PELVIC ULTRASOUND – HYSTEROSCOPY • FEMALE TESTS: SURGERY — 13 • MALE TESTS: SEMEN ANALYSIS — 13 What Treatments Are Available? 15 • FERTILITY MEDICATIONS • INTRAUTERINE INSEMINATION • IN VITRO FERTILIZATION 2 Welcome to Infertility Services at Kaiser Permanente If you have been trying to conceive and consultation will clarify if there might be a have not been able to, you are not alone. fertility problem. One out of six couples experience infertility When indicated, treatment options may problems at some time in their lives. also include: At Kaiser Permanente, we realize that coping • Medications with infertility can be a trying and frustrating • Inseminations experience. In order to provide high-quality personalized care to our patients, we offer • Advanced diagnostics a team approach that includes physicians, • Surgery nurse practitioners, nurses, medical assistants, • Counseling and lab technicians. We give you the respect and quality of care that you deserve to help • In vitro fertilization (IVF) you reach your goal.
    [Show full text]
  • FAQ136 -- Evaluating Infertility
    AQ The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FAQ136 GYNECOLOGIC PROBLEMS Evaluating Infertility • How common is infertility? • What causes infertility? f • How is age a factor in infertility? • What are the other male and female factors that affect fertility? • What lifestyle factors for women contribute to infertility? • What should be considered when deciding whether to be tested for infertility? • What does testing involve? • How are men evaluated for infertility? • How are women evaluated for infertility? • What tests evaluate ovulation? • What procedures evaluate a woman’s reproductive organs? • Glossary How common is infertility? About 10% of couples in the United States are infertile. Couples may be infertile if the woman has not been able to conceive after 6–12 months of having sex without the use of birth control. The number of months depends on many factors, such as your age, your partner’s age, and how long you have been trying to get pregnant. What causes infertility? Infertility may be caused by more than one factor. Some are easy to find and treat, while others are not. The factor may relate to the woman (65%) or the man (20%). In some cases, no cause can be found in either partner (15%). How is age a factor in infertility? For healthy, young couples, the odds are about 20% that a woman will conceive in any one menstrual cycle. This figure starts to decline in a woman’s late 20s and early 30s and decreases even more after age 35 years. A man’s fertility also declines with age, but not as early.
    [Show full text]
  • Natural Family Planning Or Rhythm Method (Fertility Awareness-Based Method)
    Facts About Natural Family Planning or Rhythm Method (Fertility Awareness-Based Method) What is the natural family planning or rhythm method (fertility awareness-based method)? Fertility Awareness-based Methods (FAMs) (sometimes known as natural family planning or the rhythm method) are a way of finding out the days you are most likely to get pregnant and then not having sex on those days. It means paying close attention to your menstrual cycle to track when your body releases an egg. There are several ways to track your cycle: • Basal Body Temperature Method – Every morning before you get out of bed, you take your temperature with a special (basal) thermometer (by mouth). This is a different kind of thermometer than the kind you use when you have a fever. When your temperature rises a little on the basal thermometer, it is a sign that your ovary has released an egg. 95 96 97 98 99 100 • Calendar Method – Use this method to figure out about when your ovary releases an egg. Most women release an egg (ovulate) about 2 weeks before their next period. You can chart on a calendar, by using cycle beads, or by using an app that you can download to your phone or other electronic device. • Cervical Mucus (Discharge) Method – Each day you check the mucus discharge from your vagina (birth canal). Most of the time it is thick and sticky (as an egg ripens) When the mucus turns clear and is thin and slippery, then the egg is likely to be released. This is when you are most likely to get pregnant.
    [Show full text]
  • Fertility Awareness Apps and Education…………………………………
    Winter/Spring 2015 ● Vol. 26, Nos. 1 & 2 Richard J. Fehring, PhD, RN, FAAN – Marquette University College of Nursing In this issue Fertility Awareness Apps and Education………………………………….... 1 Fertility/Infertility …………...………………………………………………... 4 Under the Microscope ………………………………………………………... 10 Marital Dynamics of Practicing Natural Family Planning Current Medical Research is a publication of the Natural Family Planning Program of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. © 2015 USCCB. The managing editor is Theresa Notare, PhD, Assistant Director. Permission is granted to reproduce in whole or in part, in print and/or electronically, with the following statement: Current Medical Research, © 2014 USCCB, volume # (year): page #. Used with permission. 1 Fertility Awareness Apps and Education Evaluation of an Web Based Fertility Monitoring System Over the past ten years numerous fertility monitoring applications (i.e., apps) to help women achieve or avoid pregnancy have been developed for tracking fertility and for use in smart phones, computers, and other hand held type electronic devices. Few studies however, have been conducted to determine the accuracy or effectiveness of these fertility monitoring applications. Researchers and developers of a new fertility monitoring application recently published a study to provide evidence for the accuracy of determining ovulation and the fertile window of the menstrual cycle with their fertility monitoring app (Scherwitzl, Hirschberg, and Scherwitzl, 2015). The application system (called NaturalCycles) requires that users enter basal body temperature (BBT) readings, the Luteinizing Hormone (LH) surge if available, the presence or absence of cervical mucus, and days of, as they describe them, “protected” or “unprotected” acts of intercourse. The system has a built in algorithm based on the (BBT) shift from baseline and provides the user with red or green icons that indicate fertile and non-fertile days respectively.
    [Show full text]
  • Injectable Contraceptives
    POCKETBOOK for Family Planning ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Family planning services providers need to continuously update themselves with the latest medical developments. While the government issues guidelines for all available contraceptives in the public health domain and provides a vast array of information online, providers have expressed the need for a ready reckoner in the form of a single booklet or pocketbook with all critical information. With support from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Government of India and other technical experts, EngenderHealth led development of this pocketbook to respond to this expressed need. This pocketbook would not have been possible without the encouragement of Dr. S.K. Sikdar, former Deputy Commissioner of the Family Planning Division of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. I would also like to extend heartfelt thanks to Dr. Pragati Singh, Dr. Nidhi Bhatt, Dr. Richa Kandpal, and Ms. Shikha Bansal for their valuable support in preparing this booklet. I would also like to acknowledge guidance Pocketbook for Family Planning iii from Dr. Levent Cagatay, EngenderHealth’s Regional Clinical Quality Advisor for Asia and Mr. Shumon Sengupta, EngenderHealth’s former Regional Representative Asia for their unstinting support. I would also like to acknowledge the technical guidance from Dr. Alok Banerjee, a national expert on family planning and independent consultant. The guidance and support provided by Dr. Rajkumar, Deputy Director of Maternal Health and Family Planning from the Government of Karnataka and Dr. Digambar Kangule, Assistant Director of Sate Health and Family Welfare of the State Family Welfare Bureau as well as Dr.
    [Show full text]