Why Contraceptives are Important - Essay Example

Contraceptives Contraceptives The term contraceptive refers to any preventive measure taken, with the aim of birth control. Contraceptives also refer to the means of fertility control in use in the world today. This does not only involve methods, but devises too, all used to prevent cases of pregnancy. The intention behind the use of contraceptives and all of their kind is family planning, which over time, has continued facing advocating in its favor, by more and more people, as every day dawns. The use of contraceptives, especially in the developing countries, has significantly reduced the incidences of maternal deaths. Research reveals that teenage pregnancies remain as the most vulnerable to a risk of negative outcomes. This may vary from low birth weight of the infants, to preterm birth and sadly, infant mortality. It is thus necessary that teenagers or rather, adolescents receive comprehensive sex education, as well as access to the best of reproductive health, for this sad instances to end (Guillebaud, 2009). Contraceptives in general, play the role of preventing any unwanted outcomes, which result from sexual intercourse. Barrier contraceptives attempt to prevent cases of pregnancy, as they physically try to prevent male sperm from making their way to the female’s uterus. Another category of contraceptives, are the hormonal contraceptives, which inhibit the process of fertilization of the males ovaries (Winikoff, 2012). These methods, just to mention a few, serve the same purpose in the end. Other contraceptives include intrauterine devices, sterilization, and probably the safest and sure contraceptive that prevents any possible negative side effects, abstinence (Kubba, 2010). The contribution that contraception has had on the reduction of unwanted and unplanned pregnancies has had universal recognition, as well as acknowledgement. The issue however, is whether or to what extent, the use of contraceptives has improved maternal health. The answer to this wholly depends, on whether the births controlled, or rather prevented by means of contraceptive would have otherwise posed a risk to the unexpectant mother, than what was initially expected (Tone, 2008). Contraceptives vary from a wide range. They include the wisest and maybe the safest mode, which is abstinence. Abstinence refers to the act of abstaining, or rather, avoiding sexual intercourse. It is the only sure way, which one would use to avoid cases of unwanted pregnancies. It also reduces the cases of sexually transmitted diseases, and other ill consequences that result from the same. It is thus a 100 percent effective mode of contraception, which is highly advocated. The use of condoms too, would increase, as it has become perhaps, the most common and widely practiced form of contraception all over the world (Winikoff, 2012). They are arguably, the cheapest form of contraception, which perhaps has led to their wide usage. The use of birth control pills, and emergency contraception, also known as the morning after pill, also fall under the category of commonly used contraception methods (Kubba, 2010). One of the major contributions of contraceptives, to the reduction of contraceptives, and the whole idea of contraception is the prevention of unintended pregnancies. This does ahead to reduce the number of abortions carried out in a specific region or area, at a given time interval, thus lowering significantly, the incidents of death and several other complications, which come as a result of such pregnancy, and childbirth. Similarly, the increased use of contraceptives through time has proved essential towards the realization and achievement of United Nations Millennium Development goals. This includes, a significant reduction in child mortality, improving maternal health, as well as combating the issue of HIV/AIDS (Tone, 2008). The long-term advantages of using these contraceptives, range from increased family savings, as planning ensures the bringing up of manageable families by all aspects. This translates to stronger and improved national economies. Similarly, use of contraceptives has increased and ensured the receiving of education, to women, or rather, the girl-child. This is so, as the use of contraceptives has reduced the cases of teenage pregnancies, which are a major hindrance, to the education life of the particular victims (Guillebaud, 2009). The issue of cover, without copayment, would directly or indirectly allow women, and the girl child in general, to plan on matters concerning pregnancy, thus results to realization of healthier and a much better outcome for their children. Research shows that in cases whereby births were spaced by a minimum of two years, then the number of deaths result among children under the age of five, would reduce significantly, by thirteen percent. Similarly, the number would further reduce, by a greater percentage of twenty-five percent, if there were a gap of not less than three years, between births (Tone, 2008). The Health Insurance Companies would cover contraceptives, thus resulting to fighting unintended pregnancies, which remain a thorn-issue in the United States, and world over. Contraceptives, when, and if appropriately and consistently used, prevent pregnancies in an effective manner. Of all unintended pregnancies, fifty percent of this occurs among women who do not practice the use of contraceptives (Kubba, 2010). The recommendations made by The Institute of Medicine, would see counseling and advising of the manner in which contraceptives, effectively put to use, achieve the set goals and objectives, decreases by huge proportion cases of abortion, the spread of certain related diseases and most importantly, the unwanted births that have been the issue in question. As a result, better pregnancy outcomes are realized, where this issue is treated with high regard. It is of importance to note that comprehensive contraceptive use and coverage, is relatively inexpensive. This is as compared to the expenses incurred to treat diseases, and other complications that come because of non-observance of contraception measures (Tone, 2008). The consequences associated with this cover, and contraception in general, are however witnessed, though not properly documented. There exists a number of side effects, that are associated with the use of contraceptives. The impact of having this policy would facilitate the occurrence of these aftereffects. The most common of this negative side effects, is perhaps vaginal irritation. This comes mostly because of use of condoms, spremicides and other modes of contraception, that directly concern the reproductive area of the relative female party involved. Infections too are some of the common side effects realized, because of continuous and inappropriate use of contraceptives (Kubba, 2010). Counseling of matters related with contraception, should target both men and women. They should include natural, artificial, permanent and reversible techniques, for the message to be properly ferried to the target audience. The methods recommended and prescribed by health practitioners should be suited to match the needs, and the lifestyle of the relevant individuals concerned (Tone, 2008). In a greater majority of industrialized countries, the contraception mode of abortion is legal and permitted, for a wide variety of reasons. The practice is duly performed by professionally trained medical practitioners, thus carrying very little risk and in some cases, no risk at all, to the well-being of the mother, both health wise and physically too. In most countries however, abortion is only legalized, under extreme circumstances, thus translating, to many instances of the practice being carried out under illegal circumstances (Guillebaud, 2009). Contraception does not only involve women, or rather the female species, but is also practiced amongst males too. Except from the condoms, the most common form of contraception in practice amongst men, a process known as vasectomy, is carried out as a form of contraception. Vasectomy is a minor surgical procedure, which involves the severing and sealing of the males vasa deferentia, in a bid to prevent the sperms from entering into the seminal stream. This is the process whereby a male ejaculates. References Medical testing and health insurance. (2008). Washington, DC: Congress of the U.S., Office of Technology Assessment . Bullough, V. L., & Bullough, B. (1990). Contraception: a guide to birth control methods. Buffalo, N.Y.: Prometheus Books. Guillebaud, John. The pill and other hormonal contraceptives: the facts. 6th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009. Print. Kubba, Ali. Contraception. London: Mosby, 2010. Print. Tone, Andrea. Devices and desires: a history of contraceptives in America. New York: Hill and Wang, 2008. Print. Winikoff, B., & Wymelenberg, S. (2012). The contraceptive handbook: a guide to safe and effective choices. Yonkers, N.Y.: Consumer Reports Books. Read More