Population Stabilization And Birth Control – Class 12

Population Stabilization And Birth Control: Reproductive Health means total well-being in all aspects of reproduction, i.e., physical, emotional, behavioral, and social. Counseling and raising awareness among people about reproductive organs, adolescence, and associated changes, safe and hygienic sexual practices, sexually transmitted infections (STIs)including AIDS, etc., is the first step towards reproductive health. Other aspects of reproductive health include providing medical facilities, pregnancy-related aspects, STIs, birth control, population stabilization, pre and post-natal child and maternal care

India was the first nation in the world to start various action plans and programs at the national level towards attaining the social goal of reproductive health. The ‘Reproductive and Child Health Care'(RCH) program is currently in operation that covers wider aspects of reproductive health.

Population Growth

Population growth is the increase in the number of people in a given area. In the last century, the population has increased at an alarming rate. The population growth rate was less than 2%, that is 20/1000/ year ( 2011 census). The reason for the increase in the population growth rate can be:

• Improved health facilities and better living conditions.
• Decline in death rate.
• The decline in maternal mortality and infant mortality rate.
• Increase in number of people in the reproducible age.

Population Stabilization

Population stabilization is a situation when the size of the population remains unchanged. It is also known as the stage of zero population growth. It is achieved when births plus in-migration equals deaths plus out-migration. The government has taken various steps to stabilize the rapidly growing population. The Reproductive Child Health (RCH) program was started to bring down the population growth rate.

To check the alarming rate of population growth, various measures were taken by the government, such as:

• Promoting small families.
• Promoting the use of contraceptive methods.
• Statutory increase of marriageable age of females to 18 years and of males to 21 years.
• Couples with small families are given incentives.

Birth Control

Birth control, also known as contraception, is the use of any method, device, or medicine to prevent pregnancy. An ideal birth control method should be effective, easily available, should have the least side effects, and should not interfere with the sexual drive, desire, or act of an individual.

Birth Control Methods

Following are the different types of birth control methods those are Natural and Barrier methods. 

Natural method

Works on the principle of preventing the meeting of sperm and ovum. Natural methods do not have any side effects, but the chances of failure are also high.

Periodic abstinence

In this method, couples abstain from coitus from days 10 to 17 of the menstrual cycle to prevent conception. This period is known as the fertile period, as chances of fertilization are high during this period.

Withdrawal or Coitus interruptus

In this method to prevent insemination, during intercourse, the male withdraws his penis from the vagina just before ejaculation.

Lactational amenorrhea

This method is based on the fact that during the period of intense lactation following parturition( six months), ovulation doesn’t occur as the menstrual cycle is absent. So there are fewer chances of pregnancy.

Barrier Method

In this method, barriers are used to physically prevent the sperm and ovum from meeting.

Condoms

Condoms are made of thin rubber or latex sheath that is used during intercourse to cover the penis in males and the vagina or cervix in females to prevent conception. They have certain advantages like, they can be used by both male and female, it prevents contracting STIs and AIDS, and they are disposable. Certain other barriers available are diaphragms, cervical caps, and vaults. These are used by females.

Intrauterine devices

These devices are inserted inside the uterus of the female through the vagina by the doctor. This is the most widely used method to prevent pregnancy. Intrauterine devices are of various types:

• Non-medicated IUDs like Lippe’s loops, increase the phagocytosis of sperms inside the uterus.
• Copper-releasing IUDs like Copper-T, Copper-7, and Multiload 375, decreases the rate of sperms motility and its fertilization capacity.
• IUDs that release hormone-like Progestasert, LNG-20 prevent implantation inside the uterus and make the cervix hostile to the sperm.

Oral Contraceptive

In this method, pills that contain either progesterone or progesterone estrogen combination are taken orally by the female. They are taken daily for 21 days, starting within the first five days of the menstrual cycle. They are stopped for 7 days during menstruation and have to be started again in the same pattern till females desire to prevent pregnancy. They work by inhibiting ovulation and implantation and changing the quality of cervical mucus to prevent sperm entry. Example: Saheli

Implants and Injectable

These are a combination of either progesterone alone or both progesterone estrogen. They are given under the skin of the females. They work by inhibiting ovulation, and implantation and changing the quality of cervical mucus to prevent sperm entry. Compared to pills, they have their effects for longer periods of time.

Surgical Method

In this method, conception is prevented by blocking the gamete transport. This is also known as the sterilization method. In males, the procedure is known as vasectomy, where a small incision is given on the scrotum, and a small part of the vas deferens is either removed or tied up. In females, it is known as tubectomy, where a small incision is given on the abdomen or vagina, and fallopian tubes are tied up or removed. These methods are highly effective, but the chances of reversibility are poor.

FAQs on Population Stabilization and Birth Control

Q1: What is Population Stabilization?

Answer:

Population stabilization is a situation when the size of the population remains unchanged. It is also known as the stage of zero population growth. It is achieved when births plus in-migration equals deaths plus out-migration.

Q2: What is Birth Control?

Answer:

Birth control, also known as contraception, is the use of any method, device, or medicine to prevent pregnancy.

Q3: What are the Side Effects of Birth Control Methods?

Answer:

The possible side effects of the various birth control methods can be nausea, abdominal pain, breakthrough bleeding, irregular menstrual bleeding, or even breast cancer.

Q4: What is the Permanent Method of Birth Control?

Answer:

The permanent method of birth control is the surgical method, also known as sterilization. In females, the procedure is called tubectomy and in males, it is called vasectomy.