Why is family planning necessary today?

Population control assumes importance if one considers the fact that forty years ago the population of our country was a mere three hundred and forty million which, in 1981 had swelled to six hundred and seventy million, in 1991, increased to eight hundred and forty four million and, by the turn of the Country, may well escalate to the one billion mark! I his galloping increase have to be tackled on a war looting. The socio-economic benefits of family planning to the individual, society and nation cannot ho overemphasized. One needs to remember that Family Planning’ is ‘Family Welfare’.

Is vaginal douche after intercourse a safe method of contraception?

No. It is practiced as a method of local hygiene and not as a method of contraception.

Is Coitus interrupts a safe method of contraception?

No. Coitus interrupts involves withdrawal just prior to ejaculation so that ejaculation occurs extra vaginally. It requires repeated motivation ind a tremendous amount of will-power, during each act of coitus, to be effective. Hence, the failure rate is very high. Moreover, some men may not be able to predict the moment of inevitability every time. It also affects the response and performance as the individual is constantly under tension to withdraw at the moment of inevitability and is unable to enjoy the intimacy. This gives a tinge of mechanical sex and often leaves the partner unsatisfied.

What are the different contraceptive methods available today?

Today, wide range of contraceptive methods are available and the current approach is to provide a ‘cafeteria choice’ i.e. to offer all the different methods to an individual, from which, any method may be adopted depending on individual suitability and preference.

What is Vasectomy?

Vasectomy is a permanent method of contraception by male sterilization. It is performed under local anaesthesia. Two small one cm incisions are made on either side of the scrotum. This gives access to the spermatic cord in which the vas is lound. A small segment (one cm) of the vas is cut ind the snipped ends are tied (closed) off, so that the sperm will be unable to pass through. The incisions are then closed with an absorbable suture. This operation is simpler than the sterilization of a female. Hospitalisation is not necessary and the patient can walk back home. The procedure only affects the fertility and the virility is left intact.

In which conditions, vasectomy should not be encouraged?

Vasectomy should be postponed in cases where

1. A man is equating his masculinity with fathering of the child,
2. There are unresolved doubts and conflicts about the procedure and its outcome,
3. Local conditions where surgery becomes difficult (infection, varicocele, large hydrocele, inguinal hernia, filariasis or scar tissue from surgery).

Vasectomy should be deferred until a specialist is consulted.

Can Vasectomy help Sexual Functioning?

By removing the fear of possible pregnancy and eliminating the need for artificial aids which often impair local sensitivity, vasectomy may lead to an improvement in the sexual performance in some individuals.

How soon after Vasectomy can one resume Sexual Activity without Contraception?

Don’t count days, count the number of ejaculations. At least 10 ejaculations after vasectomy and/or two consecutive semen analysis reports need to be sperm negative. Till then, effective contraceptive methods should be used.

Is Vasectomy reversible?

Yes, but the success of the reversal operation depends upon the skill of the surgeon, the technique used at the time of sterilization, duration after which reanastomosis is performed and the technique used for reanastomosis. However even after a successful reversal operation by the best of micro-surgical techniques, a man’s chances of impregnating the female are fifty-fifty.

How can Vasectomy be made more acceptable?

Ideally, the man and his wife both should be counselled together about the surgical procedure, the operative risk and the outcome. It needs to be emphasized to the couple that the procedure is merely contraceptive and will have no effect on the man’s virility. Ligating the vas will not have any effect on sexual desire, response and performance. The orgasmic capacity, ejaculation and quantity of ejaculate all remain the same. This will remove any misconceptions that the couple may harbour about the procedure. Its advantages over other methods of contraception, such as its permanency, high success rate, only one time motivation required, absence of systemic side effects, non-impairment of local sensitivity, potential reversibility and its relative ease and safety over tubectomy should also be stressed additionally. Thus, vasectomy can be made more acceptable by education.

What is Tubectomy?

Tubectomy is a permanent method of contenception by female sterilization, involving the excision of the tubes to interrupt the passage of ova. Its contraceptive measure does not leave any residual effect on the female’s sexuality.

Is Tubectomy reversible?

Yes, Tubectomy is reversible by microsurgicat techniques, but, this is more difficult than reversal of vasectomy. The success rate depends upon the method of tubectomy and the skill of operating surgeon.

Does Tubectomy affect Estrogen Levels?

No. Ligation of the tubes merely interrupts the passage of the ova thus preventing conception. It leaves the hormonal levels unchanged and has no effect on the female sexual desire.

Is there any change in sexual enjoyment after Tubectomy?

In fact, it may enhance one’s sexuality as it offers contraception without decreasing local sensitivity, it unlike barrier contraceptives.

Does the Female Superior Position prevent pregnancy?

Alas! No!