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| Population Control |
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| Increasing population is a serious issue, particularly in developing countries. It is necessary for every generation to produce more off springs because many individuals do not survive to reach the reproductive age due to natural causes. However, man has upset this equation as he has been successful in bringing down the mortality rate. But a simultaneous increase in the birth rate is also essential to maintain the balance in nature. Since this has not happened, there has been a tremendous increase in the population of human beings and also the animals and plants useful to them. This has created a strain on the natural resources that are shared by all creatures on earth. |
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| Having understood so much about the reproductive system, it is necessary to learn the possibilities of prevent, and planning pregnancies. The need of the hour today is that every couple should understand that pregnancies can be prevented and that it is very important to plan them. This is called family planning. It involves restricting the number of children to two and spacing children by maintaining a gap of minimum three years between two children. This gives each child enough attention, nutrition and education. |
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| There are various ways in which pregnancy can be planned or prevented. Some of them are: |
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 Mechanical methods |
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Hormonal methods |
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Natural methods |
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Sterilisation |
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| In this type of contraception, a physical barrier is placed to prevent the entry of sperms into the uterus. It includes condoms (such as Nirodh) used by males, intrauterine device (IUD) and diaphragm cap used by females. IUD is commonly called loop and is inserted by a doctor into the uterus to prevent the implantation of the fertilized egg. Diaphragm cap is also fixed over the cervix but is not a permanent arrangement. It is similar to the condoms that are placed over erect penis before copulation. These devices can also act as effective guard against sexually transmitted diseases. |
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| It involves the intake of synthetic hormones by the females to prevent ovulation. These are called oral contraceptive pills and have to be taken as per doctor's advice. |
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| Total avoidance of sexual intercourse or abstinence is, of course, the only sure contraceptive method. However, there is a rhythm method which involves avoiding intercourse during the time of ovulation that is for about a week. However rhythm method is not a reliable method. |
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| Sterilisation is a surgical procedure that involves cutting of the tubes that conduct the gametes. |
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| Vasectomy - Sterilization of Man |
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| In males it is called vasectomy in which each vas deferens is cut and the cut ends are tied back. |
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| Tubectomy - Sterilization of Women |
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| In females, it is called tubectomy in which the oviducts are cut and the cut ends are tied back. Both the procedures are reversible to some extent. They are as good as permanent methods of prevention of pregnancy. |
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