View source for Where Women Have No Doctor:Choosing a Family Planning Method

{{bctrail|segments=3|chaptitle= Chapter 13: Family Planning}}{{DISPLAYTITLE:Choosing a family planning method}}{{SideSupplement|bookabbreviation=wwhnd|pagealt=is from <br> pages 200 to 201 of|chapterpdf=http://hesperian.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf/en_wwhnd_2024/en_wwhnd_2024_13.pdf|bookurl=Where Women Have No Doctor|booktitle=Where Women Have No Doctor|adimage=WWHND_to_HAW_wiki_ad_2.png|adcaption=Save 20% on Health Actions for Women. Use code "FEMHW"|adlink=https://store.hesperian.org/prod/Health_Actions_for_Women.html?utm_source=healthwiki&utm_medium=side-ad&utm_campaign=v1newtool}} 
{{chaptertoc|In this chapter:|
 <ul class{{=}}"noprint"><li>
[[Where Women Have No Doctor: Chapter 13: Family Planning|Chapter 13: Family Planning]] 
 </li>
  <li>[[Where Women Have No Doctor: Benefits of Family Planning|Benefits of Family Planning]]</li>
  <li>[[Where Women Have No Doctor: Choosing to Use Family Planning|Choosing to Use Family Planning]]</li>
  <li>[[Where Women Have No Doctor: Choosing a Family Planning Method|Choosing a Family Planning Method]]</li>
  <li>[[Where Women Have No Doctor: Barrier Methods of Family Planning|Barrier Methods of Family Planning]]</li>
  <li>[[Where Women Have No Doctor: Hormonal Methods of Family Planning|Hormonal Methods of Family Planning]]</li>
<li>[[Where_Women_Have_No_Doctor:Intra‑_Uterine_Devices_(Devices_that_go_into_the_womb)|Intra‑Uterine Devices (IUDs)]]</li>
  <li>[[Where Women Have No Doctor: Behavioral Methods of Family Planning|Behavioral Methods of Family Planning]]</li>
  <li>[[Where Women Have No Doctor: Permanent Methods of Family Planning|Permanent Methods]]</li>
<li>[[Where Women Have No Doctor:Emergency Contraception|Emergency Contraception (EC) ]]</li>
  <li>[[Where Women Have No Doctor: New Methods of Family Planning|New Methods of Family Planning]]</li>
  <li>[[Where Women Have No Doctor: Choosing the Best Method|Choosing the Best Method]]</li>

  <li>[[Where Women Have No Doctor: Working for Change: Family Planning|Working for Change]]</li>
 </ul>
}} 
Once you have decided to use family planning, you must choose a method. To make a good decision you must first learn about the different methods, their availability, and their advantages and disadvantages.

There are 5 main types of family planning methods:
*'''[[Where_Women_Have_No_Doctor:Barrier_Methods_of_Family_Planning|Barrier methods]], '''which prevent pregnancy by keeping the sperm from reaching the egg.
*'''[[Where_Women_Have_No_Doctor:Hormonal_Methods_of_Family_Planning|Hormonal methods]],''' which make it harder for the sperm to reach the egg and keep the lining of the womb from supporting a pregnancy. They may also prevent the ovary from releasing an egg.
*'''[[Where_Women_Have_No_Doctor:Intra‑_Uterine_Devices_(Devices_that_go_into_the_womb)|IUDs]], '''which prevent sperm from fertilizing the egg.
*'''[[Where_Women_Have_No_Doctor:Behavioral_Methods_of_Family_Planning|Behavioral methods]], '''which prevent pregnancy through certain changes in when and how people have sex.
*'''[[Where_Women_Have_No_Doctor:Permanent_Methods_of_Family_Planning|Permanent methods]], '''which are operations that make it impossible for a person to have any children.
{{spannote|||
As you read about each method, here are some questions you may want to consider:

*How well does it prevent pregnancy (its effectiveness)?
*How well does it protect against STIs, if at all?
*How safe is it? If you have any of the health problems mentioned in this chapter, you may need to avoid some types of family planning methods.
*How easy is it to use and how often must you use it?
[[Image:WWHND10_Ch13_Page_200-1.png|150px|left]]
<div style{{=}}"padding-left:60px;">
*Is your partner willing to use family planning?
*What are your personal needs and concerns? For example, do you have all the children you want, or are you breastfeeding your baby?
*How much does the method cost?
*Is it easy to get? Will you need to visit a health center often?
*Will the side effects (the problems the method may cause) create difficulties for you?


After reading about these methods, you can get [[Where_Women_Have_No_Doctor:Choosing_the_Best_Method|more help with choosing one]]. It may also help to talk with your partner, other people in your community, or a health worker about different methods.


''Only you can decide which family planning method is right for you.''}}

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<table style="border-collapse:collapse;line-height:110%;" border="1" cellpadding="4" color=black>
<tr valign="top">
<th><div id{{=}}"chart">FAMILY PLANNING METHOD</div></th>
<th>Protection from Pregnancy</th>
<th>Protection from STIs</th>
<th>Possible Side Effects</th>
<th>Other Important Information</th>
</tr>
<tr style="background-color: #E6E6E6">
<td style="width:30%;">'''External condom (male condom)'''[[Image:WWHND10_Ch13_Page_201-1_gray.png|150px]]</td>
<td style="width:15%;">★★
Good</td>
<td style="width:7%;">[[Image:WWHND10_Ch13_Page_201-16_edited.png|80px|alt=good STI protection]]</td>
<td style="width:20%;"></td>
<td style="width:37%;">Most effective when used with spermicide and water-based lubricant. Use with other methods to prevent STIs.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>'''Internal condom (female condom)'''<br><br>[[Image:WWHND10_Ch13_Page_201-2.png|120px|center]]</td>
<td>★★
Good</td>
<td>[[Image:WWHND10_Ch13_Page_201-16_edited.png|80px|alt=good STI protection]]</td>
<td></td>
<td>Most effective when used with spermicide and water-based lubricant. Use with other methods to prevent STIs.</td>
</tr>
<tr style="background-color: #E6E6E6">
<td>'''Diaphragm or cervical cap (with spermicide) <br><br>'''[[Image:WWHND10_Ch13_Page_201-3.png|100px||center]]</td>
<td>★★
Good</td>
<td>[[Image:WWHND10_Ch13_Page_201-17.png|90px|alt=some STI protection]]</td>
<td></td>
<td>Most effective when used with spermicide. </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>'''Spermicide or sponge'''[[Image:WWHND10_Ch13_Page_201-4.png|110px]]</td>
<td>★
Some</td>
<td>[[Image:WWHND10_Ch13_Page_201-18.png|90px|alt=no STI protection]]</td>
<td>[[Image:WWHND10_Ch13_Page_201-19.png|60px|center]]<br>Skin allergy</td>
<td>More effective when used with another barrier method like diaphragm or condom.</td>
</tr>
<tr style="background-color: #E6E6E6">
<td><div class{{=}}page-break></div>'''Hormonal Methods'''<br>
'''Birth control pill, patch, injections, vaginal ring'''<br>
[[Image:WWHND10_Ch13_Page_201-group.png|180px]]<br>
'''Implants'''<center>[[Image:WWHND10_Ch13_Page_201-7.png|100px]]</center></td>
<td><div class{{=}}page-break></div>★★★
VERY GOOD<br><br><br>
★★★★
BEST</td>
<td><div class{{=}}page-break></div>[[Image:WWHND10_Ch13_Page_201-18.png|90px|alt=no STI protection]]</td>
<td><div class{{=}}page-break></div>[[Image:WWHND10_Ch13_Page_201-19_gray.png|60px|center]]<br>Nausea, headaches, changes in monthly bleeding</td>
<td><div class{{=}}page-break></div>These methods should not be used by people with certain health problems.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>'''IUD'''<br>
'''copper or hormonal'''<br>[[Image:WWHND10_Ch13_Page_201-9.png|140px]]</td>
<td>★★★★
BEST</td>
<td>[[Image:WWHND10_Ch13_Page_201-18.png|90px|alt=no STI protection]]</td>
<td>[[Image:WWHND10_Ch13_Page_201-19.png|60px|center]]<br>heavy and painful monthly bleeding</td>
<td>This method should not be used by people with certain health problems.</td>
</tr>
<tr style="background-color: #E6E6E6">
<td>'''Sex that cannot cause pregnancy (penis not inside vagina at all)'''<br><center>[[Image:WWHND_Ch13_Page_201-10.png|100px]]</center></td>
<td>★★★★
BEST</td>
<td>[[Image:WWHND10_Ch13_Page_201-17.png|90px|alt=some STI protection]]</td>
<td></td>
<td>Sexual touch rarely passes STIs. Oral sex is less likely to pass STIs. Anal sex is more likely to pass STIs.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>'''Breastfeeding (LAM)'''<center>[[Image:WWHND10_Ch13_Page_201-11.png|120px]]</center></td>
<td>★★★
VERY GOOD</td>
<td>[[Image:WWHND10_Ch13_Page_201-18.png|90px|alt=no STI protection]]</td>
<td></td>
<td>Only effective in the first 6 months after birth, when giving baby only breast milk, and when periods have not returned.</td>
</tr>
<tr style="background-color: #E6E6E6">
<td>'''Fertility awareness'''<center>[[Image:WWHND10_Ch13_Page_201-12_gray.png|120px]]</center></td>
<td>★★
GOOD</td>
<td>[[Image:WWHND10_Ch13_Page_201-18.png|90px|alt=no STI protection]]</td>
<td></td>
<td>Only effective for people who can choose not to have sex that can cause pregnancy</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>'''Sterilization'''<center>[[Image:WWHND10_Ch13_Page_201-13.png|80px]][[Image:WWHND10_Ch13_Page_201-14.png|80px]]</center></td>
<td>★★★★
BEST</td>
<td>[[Image:WWHND10_Ch13_Page_201-18.png|90px|alt=no STI protection]]</td>
<td></td>
<td>A person will never be able to have babies after this operation.
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="background-color: #E6E6E6">
<td>'''Withdrawal (Pulling out)'''[[Image:WWHND10_Ch13_Page_201-15_gray.png|center|120px]]</td>
<td>★
SOME</td>
<td>[[Image:WWHND10_Ch13_Page_201-17.png|90px|alt=some STI protection]]</td>
<td></td>
<td>More effective when used with another method like spermicide or diaphragm.</td>
</tr>
</table>
</div>


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{{Previous and next sections|Choosing to Use Family Planning|Barrier Methods of Family Planning }}
[[en:Where_Women_Have_No_Doctor:Choosing_a_Family_Planning_Method]]
[[es:Where_Women_Have_No_Doctor:Cómo_escoger_un_método_de_planificación_familiar]]
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[[ht:Where_Women_Have_No_Doctor:Chwazi_yon_metòd_planin]]
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