With the rapid growth of the population in the world as well as the increased sense in general awareness for HIV/AIDS, has forced to think on birth control methods. The current world’s population is estimated to be around 6.4 billion with annual growth of 76 million and hence, it is estimated to reach 9 billion by year 2050. In next two decades, world’s two highly populous countries, China & India are expected to reach the population of 1.5 billion each i.e more than one third of the total world population of that time. It is alarming situation for the world to control this “population explosion”. Therefore, United Nations are urging countries specially highly populated countries to control their population.

As per the survey report for birth control methods if applied in 169 countries, 137 million women willing to delay their contraceptives, 64 million women are using less effective birth control measures. If these women are helped with adequate birth control treatment (like pills, condoms), 23 million of unplanned births, 22 million induced abortions and 1.4 million infants could be avoided as estimated by United Nations Population Fund.

Besides population, HIV/AIDS is also very important factor forcing the need for birth control. An estimated, world has 38 million people have either AIDS  or infected with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). In seven African countries, one out of 5 adults is infected with HIV. Birth control methods are, therefore, become imperative to control further spread of HIV/AIDS, particularly in these countries. The population in these countries is projected at 35% lower by 2025 free from HIV/AIDS. It will further reduce the total life expectancy by an average of 29 years in these countries.

History of Birth Control
200 AD, Greek gynecologist Soranus said that women become fertile during ovulation. He suggested some birth control tips for women to avoid unwanted pregnancy like smearing olive oil, pomegranate pulp, ginger, or tobacco juice around vagina to kill sperm, drinking water used by blacksmith to cool hot metals and jumping 7 times backward after the sexual intercourse. Many birth control methods like ayurvedic treatments used centuries ago (aside from sexual abstinence). However, there are some historical records of Egyptian women are found who were using some herbal or acid substances like crocodile dung or lubricants like honey or household olive oil as vaginal suppository, which they may have found effective at killing sperm.

However, commercial use of birth control method started in 1960 in the form of birth control pill. It was in 1950, when Planned Parenthood Federation of America invited biologist Dr. Gregory Pincus to develop oral contraceptive pill that would be harmless, universally acceptable and safe for husband and wife. After under going many tests with more than 6,000 women in Puerto Rico and Haiti , it was 1960 when the first commercially produced birth control pill called Enovid-10 was introduced to women in USA . This first oral contraceptive was made with two hormones Estrogen (100 to 175 microgram) and Progestin (10 mg). They were proved to be 99% effective if taken as directed. With estimation, more than 18 million women in US are relying on birth control pills

Types of birth control pills
Unlike the decades old oral contraceptive pills (which had higher number of hormones), today’s birth control pills are in low-dose forms with health benefits. So, women can take birth control pills with much fewer health risks.

Generally there are three types of birth control pills available
1. Progestin only pills (POP)
It is also known as “mini-pill” containing no estrogen. It is recommended for breastfeeding women because estrogen reduced milk production. This POP pill works by thickening the cervical mucus and thus preventing sperm to enter uterus

2. Combination birth control pills
The widely known birth control pills are having combination of two hormones progestin and estrogen. These types of oral contraceptive pills come with the pack of 21 “active pills” and 7 “placebos” , which do not contain any hormones. These are, in fact, known as “reminder pills”

These combination pills are further sub-divided into three types of pills due to the level of two hormones progestin and estrogen.

i) Monophasic birth control pills
Here, every active pill contains the equal number of progestin and estrogen. The other seven pills are placebo having no hormones. Menstruation starts when these placebo pills are taken

ii) Multiphasic birth control pills
They are also known as biphasic or trphasic oral contraceptive pills due to different levels of hormones in active pills. These pills are required to be taken at specific time in its entire pills schedule. Multiphasic birth control pills help offsetting the risks of oral contraceptives.

iii) Continuous birth control pills
it is also known as 365 days pills to be taken continuously throughout the year without the year. This is the new entry of oral contraceptive pills in the birth control market. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Lybrel, which is the only continuous birth control pill approved so far and available for general women use. Women do not get menstrual period while they are under the treatment of Lybrel, however, they might find some breakthrough bleeding or spotting, particularly at the initial stage.

3) Emergency birth control pills
Also known as “morning after pills”, these are designed for immediate pregnancy protection after the unprotected sex. It is highly recommended to take emergency pills within 48 hours and maximum 72 hours to be effective in avoiding pregnancy. These are different than usual oral contraceptive pills where you plan your birth control much in advance. Emergency pills are also taken when the women are sexually assaulted. FDA has approved Plan B as the safest emergency pills. Due to OTC (over the counter) approval by FDA for women above 18 years, Plan B can now be ordered behind pharmacy counter.

Birth control contraceptives as the name suggests are popularly used to prevent pregnancy and that is the common purpose associated with them. But apart from this, they have many benefits that many people may not be aware of.

Apart from preventing pregnancy, these contraceptives help in reducing the risk of ovarian as well as endometrial cancer. They are known to be helpful in improving conditions like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), premenstrual syndrome, and acne among others. They are also helpful in preventing the onset of osteoporosis. The contraceptives are reportedly helpful in decreasing menstrual cramps, ovarian cysts, ectopic pregnancy, and rheumatoid arthritis.

In addition, they are also known to help women who have irregular periods, by getting their menstrual cycle to a regular routine. Besides this, the contraceptives lead to less bleeding during periods. Some of the birth control contraceptives are said to have beneficial effects on cholesterol. They are also helpful in reducing breast diseases and breast cysts. A woman using these birth control measures may not have to worry about excessive hair, as some contraceptives help to get rid of excess body hair.

In spite of having so many benefits, these birth control measures are not too expensive and they are easily available in the drugstores. They can be carried in your purse at all times.

Looking at all the benefits contraceptives have, it can be said that they help in not only preventing pregnancy but also aid in many other health-related problems. However, to reap the maximum benefits of these birth control measures, you need to seek the advice of a doctor before using them.

About Author:  Pauline Go is an online leading expert in teaching and education. She also offers top quality articles like :

Birth Control Pills and Where Is The Hymen?

For more extensive free information on Modern Birth Control go to:

Modern Birth Control Methods

Unlike the olden days when having large or joint families was a part of tradition, the modern era is dominated by nuclear family system. Today, most people prefer to have small families and restrict the number of children by practicing several birth control measures. There are different methods of birth control for men and women.

Both, the male as well as the female birth control methods are equally important and are effective restraints on child births. Like the female birth control measures, there are several methods of male birth control methods that are helpful for men.

Effective Measures
Males can adopt birth control methods when they are certain that they no longer wish to expand their family. The most effective methods of male birth control are as follows:

Self Restraint
This is the most effective and least risky way of male birth control. If a couple does not practice sex then there is no chance for the sperm to reach the egg and there is absolutely no way in which the woman can get pregnant.

Male Condoms
Male condoms refer to an elastic cover, which is used by men to cover the erect penis while having a sexual intercourse. This condom is made of materials like latex, plastic or animal tissue. The condoms do not allow the sperm from spilling into the vagina, which is necessary for birth control. For birth control it is essential that the condoms are used in the following way:

- The condoms must be used with spermicides.
- Men must also be careful while using the condoms. It is vital for them to ensure that they do not use lubricants on condoms, especially those made of latex.
- While using the condoms, men are advised to inject water-based lubricants inside the tip of the condom. They are advised to cover the tip of the hard penis with a rolled condom and are also advised to leave a gap of about half-inch at the tip. They must first remove the foreskin and then gradually roll down the condom from over the penis. While removing it, the condom must be held against the penis.

Vasectonomy
This is a permanent surgical method of male birth control. In this method, the male tube that carries the sperm from the testicle to the penis is severed permanently. This is a simple surgery, which does not require any anesthesia.

These are some of the most significant and most widely used methods of male birth control and are guaranteed to provide results for restraining child births.

1000s of Affordable Health,Medical,Fitness and Beauty Products here -World Health Pages,World Fitness Pages,Early PlanetandTrade Planets

Article Source:ArticleSpan

By articlespan.com