Planned Parenthood insists that men and women who use birth control have better lives. Birth control can save the unborn as well as the mother herself from an unwanted pregnancy. Men and women who decided not to use birth control can have difficulties if the female becomes pregnant, and that condition can lead to abortion. The website concludes that men and women who do not want a child but do not know what to do should ask themselves the seven questions listed on the website before engaging in vaginal intercourse. This website gives helpful information for men and women who wish to have intercourse without becoming pregnant. Medline Plus. (2007). Birth control. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Retrieved on November 14, 2007,from
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/birthcontrol.html
Did you know that birth control is also called “Contraception”? A division of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Management, MedlinePlus, describes why we use birth control when men and women wish to have intercourse. Some contraception methods may work, but some may not. MedlinePlus will show you which type to use and which to avoid. MedlinePlus concludes that birth control is your choice, but at the same time, choosing the right kind of birth control depends on your health. MedlinePlus offers trusted health information when it comes to birth control. Women who wish to have the best birth control should look up for help on MedlinePlus.
Women are likely to gain weight by taking drugs, according to the author of this article, who provides information that will help females to counter the side effects of weight gain while on birth control pills. The author concludes that women who wish to decrease their weight should exercise on treadmills or eat chocolate. Either way will work to reduce weight gain, but if those results are not satisfactory, then women should ask their doctors for pills such as Yasmin or NuvaRing, or they should try an intrauterine device. Though the article might not be helpful to women seeking heavily academic or medical information, the article reads on a deeply personal level.
Columbia Encyclopedia. (n.d.). Birth control. Retrieved on November 14, 2007, from Academic Search Premier database.
Methods of birth control
This encyclopedia entry details the methods and history of birth control, going back to ancient times. According to the entry, there are two types of birth control that men can use: condoms and withdrawal prior to ejaculation. There are many different types of birth control, including insertions, lotions, creams, medications, and natural rhythm planning, that can be used by women. However, the author points out, none of these types are completely reliable, even with the instructions for you and your partner to follow. The history of birth control is explored in depth; the entry indicates that birth control has not always been legal in the United States.
Leitzell, K. (2007, August 13). The passions behind the pill. U. S. News and World Report, 143(5), 68-69.Retrieved November 14, 2007, from Academic Search Premier.
The passions behind the pill
Leitzell discusses the appearance of the birth control pill in the United States. She gives the history of the development of the pill, primarily as a medication for women with menstruation difficulties. However, when Margaret Sanger, the eventual leader of Planned Parenthood, learned of the pill’s existence, she promoted its virtues as a birth control pill. She linked up with millionaire Katharine McCormick, and together they sponsored research into its production as a contraceptive. By 1960, the United States approved its use as a contraceptive, yet already over a half-million women were using it for that purpose. By 1990, over 80% of the women of child-bearing age in the United States had tried the drug at least once. It remains one of the most effective methods of birth control, short of abstinence, there is on the market today.
"BIRTH CONTROL: A PRIVATE DECISION IN A PUBLIC DEBATE"
Why do we use birth control? We use it to protect us from pregnancy. Should birth control be available to teens or children? It is difficult to determine because a situation like this often depends on tradition, which sometimes prohibits use of pregnancy prevention even if the law allows it; however, ultimately the choice depends on you, asking these questions. Are you ready for a sexually active relationship? Are you ready to become a mother or father? Are you embarrassed to ask for birth control from your doctor? Hear a story my friend explained first, before making your choice.
Mary and Tom are both in the same high school. They are both around the age of fifteen. They have been dating for two years, and now is the time for Tom to meet both of Mary's parents. Mary calls Tom and asks, “So, you are going to meet my parents tonight right?”
Tom answers, "Uh yeah.”
"Does this mean we are going to have sex because I have never done it before?” Mary asks.
Tom does not know what to say because he has never had sex, either. Therefore, he goes to his doctor for help. Moreover, his doctor asks him, "Do you want the single size, the pear size, or the family size?"
Tom asks for the family size. When he gets to Mary’s house, he rings the bell. Mary’s dad opens the door. He takes him to the dining room. Dinner is served. Tom volunteers to pray. He prays and prays for 30 minutes, and does not stop. After an hour passes, still he does not stop.
Mary walks up to him and asks, “You didn’t tell me that you can pray this good.”
Tom lifts his head and says,” You didn’t tell me that your dad was a doctor.”
As this story shows, it is important to be able to have frank discussions about important topics before committing to a sexual relationship. Otherwise, you can end up like Tom and Mary, who actually know very little about each other’s lives. Communication with your partner is key to deciding which, or even if, birth control is necessary. Using birth control really depends on your decisions and your health. At the same time, it is important to pick the right one because each one has its own side effects.
What exactly is birth control? The dictionary definition is a method used to prevent pregnancy. Some types are more effective than others. Of all birth control methods, the most effective method is sexual abstinence. But there are also "male and female latex condoms, the pill, diaphragms, cervical caps, sponges, injected or implanted methods (i.e. Depo-Provera or Norplant); less effective methods include intrauterine devices (IUDs), the rhythm method, withdrawal, and spermicidal” (American Association for World Health, 2007).
The official history of birth control insists that most of the earliest contraceptive devices for women and condoms were invented in Egypt between 3000 B.C. and 1850 B.C. “However, the oldest known condoms, dated to about 1640, are found in Dudley Castle near Birmingham, England. They were made of fish and animal intestines. Condoms in those days were used to prevent sexually transmitted diseases rather than for contraception” (WebMD Inc., 2003). However, condoms did not become legal in the United State for a long time. “In 1918, condoms become legal in the U.S. Troops fighting in World War I ignored official Army advice to abstain from sex. They obtained condoms overseas and brought them home” (WebMD Inc., 2003). Then by the year 2003, most of every type of birth control, male and female, was legal for everyone.
There are many different kinds of birth control. Although very effective, the hormonal methods, including birth control pills, shots (Depo-Provera), the skin patch, the implant, and the vaginal ring (WebMD Inc., 2003), may cause breakthrough bleeding or spotting. This is particularly common during the first few months of taking the hormonal methods. Forgetting a pill can also cause breakthrough bleeding.
Beside hormonal methods, there is also the Intrauterine device (IUDs) inserted into the uterus. IUDs work very well for 5 to 10 years at a time and are very safe. The Marina IUD contains a hormone that can help with heavy periods and cramping (WebMD, 2003). IUDs can work very well, but not for everyone. IUDs can cause bleeding if inserted in the wrong destinations, which may lead to surgery.
Should we allow adolescents to have birth control or not? The positive side says yes. According to surveys done by a Primary school instructor, of the 67 % who support birth control access at school, only a third advocates it for children 15 or younger. Support was greater for older teens, aged 16 to 18 (Syracuse, 2007). Some agree to the condition because they do not think that handing out birth control will encourage young people to have sex. They believe that teens are going to engage in it anyways. The Portland school committee recently approved a new policy, which will make King Middle School the first middle school in Maine to offer a wide range of birth-control options to students. Students at a Maine middle school will now have access to birth-control pills and patches at their school health center (One New Now, 06-07).
The negative side says no. Students must get parental permission in order to be treated. Children cannot visit a clinic "without" parental permission. Parents, who should be aware of the clinic and the services available, but who may not want their children to receive such services, should not give permission for their children to go (One New Now, 06-07). It is the right of parents, not schools, to decide how to approach the issue of contraception with their children.
I think birth control should be given to children only when they are really ready. In other words, only when they and their partners have talked about not only the advantages of having sex in their relationship; for example, growing closer and becoming more intimately attuned to each other. The repercussions of pregnancy should also be addressed. What would happen if the protection is ineffective and a pregnancy occurs, how they would get through that situation? What if there is a STD that is intercepted during intercourse? The subject of pros and cons comes up multiple times and all of them should be talked about thoroughly. Tests should be considered and alternate ways of intimacy as well should be recognized if the subject becomes too real to deal with.
If the person that is considering sexual activity is too embarrassed then they should seek advice from someone that they know they can trust to confide in their concerns. Many people don’t get the advice they need before becoming active and as a result, many of them end up in a serious situation that involves STD’s, AIDS, pregnancy and sometimes premature death in the rarest of cases. People that are willing to give advice on the subjects come in long lists, priests of churches even are able to give advice and are sworn to secrecy as are doctors who are sworn to confidence with each patient. Talking with someone that is trusted is a good idea, but the most talking should be done with the people involved the most in the situation, especially the partner.
The topic is very controversial, but the answer is to teach children and teens communication and facts. If they are ready for birth control, then they need to demonstrate their maturity by talking with their partners. If not, then the decision should be made involving both parties to talk about it together so that in the future, they will know if they’ll even be willing to partner with each other. The consequences remain the same after centuries and only the information is changing. The more that is known about the subject of birth control, the less likely it is that the relationship will have unhealthy side effects or that it will suffer an unplanned pregnancy. Making the right choice is no less difficult if both you and your partner do not wish to make a decision that could potentially impact an innocent life, than it would be if you both knew the consequences of your actions and were they may lead.
