Birth Control Overview
Birth Control IntroductionThe practice of birth control or preventing pregnancy is as old as human existence. For centuries, humans have relied upon their imagination to avoid pregnancy.
Today, the voluntary control of fertility is of paramount importance to modern society. From a global perspective, countries currently face the crisis of rapid growth of the human population that has begun to threaten human survival. According to the Population Reference Bureau's 2003 World Population Data Sheet, the world's current growth rate is 1.3%. Based on this growth rate, the population would double in 53.8 years. The less developed world's natural increase rate (births minus deaths, without migration) is 1.6%; therefore, population in these countries would double in 43.8 years. See Population Reference Bureau's 2003 World Population Data Sheet for more information. The United Nations lists a growth rate of 2.41% for the least developed countries, which would imply that at the current rate, populations in these nations would double in 29 years. See the United Nations Population Database. Keep in mind that doubling time cannot be used to project future population size because it assumes a constant growth rate over decades when growth rates are constantly changing. Nevertheless, these figures do provide a picture of how fast the population is growing at present. For the individual woman, the effective ability to control when and whether she becomes pregnant affects her ability to achieve her own goals and contribute to her sense of well-being. A woman’s choice of birth control method involves factors such as how easy it is to use, safety, risks, cost, and personal considerations. This overview discusses the main methods of contraception (birth control) used in the United States and their advantages and disadvantages. Next: Behavioral Methods » |
Women's Health
Find out what women really need.
From WebMD
Women's Health Resources
Featured Centers
- Smile Fixes: Whitening, Dentures, and More
- How Bad Is Your Diet? Assess Yourself
- 12 Tips to Stay Awake Naturally
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Birth Control
Vasectomy Introduction
Vasectomy is a procedure in which the two tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the urinary tract are surgically altered so sperm cannot pass through and be released to fertilize a woman's egg during sexual intercourse. For couples who have made the decision not to have any further children, vasectomy is the safest and easiest form of surgical sterilization. While reversible in many cases, vasectomy should be considered a permanent form of birth control.
Vasectomy has grown in popularity throughout the world since its inception in the 19th century. About 600,000 men each year choose to undergo a vasectomy in the United States alone. Of those procedures, 85% of vasectomies are performed by urologists (specialists in men's health), and 15% are performed by family practitioners. The cost ranges from $300 to $1,000 and is frequently covered by insurance plans.
- Anatomy and technique
- A vasectomy...


