Birth Control and Contraception

Some religious beliefs see methods of contraception unethical while some political bodies chose birth control as a means of determining pregnancies, by making it against the law to have more than a designated amount of children. In fact, some governments actually pay their citizens not to have any children.

Barrier

Any type of barrier that prevents contact between egg and sperm after ejaculation. Possible barriers include the female and more popular male condom, which also contain spermicide chemicals to nullify the activity of the sperm.

Hormonal

Hormonal contraception in its best instance in ‘the pill’ used by women. It controls the production of gametes in the female by taking a pill for every day in the cycle. There is the option of coming off it to have the period as some feel this is more comfortable. Older versions of the pill were not so accurate in their function which increased chances of breast cancer in users. Recent medical research has been looking at the option of the male pill.

Sterilization

Both are fairly simple procedures that effectively end either patient’s ability to produce offspring.

Rhythm

The fertility of the female fluctuates at certain points of the month, meaning there is a ‘good’ and ‘bad’ time to get pregnant. The part of the cycle where the female is least likely to be impregnated is a possible way of maximizing the possibilities of not getting pregnant

Ultra uterine device

Also known as the coil, this device prevents the formation of the embryo and placenta by fusing to the uterus. This practice of contraception is generally outdated as it is associated with painful experiences by the user during periods and leads to complications in the longer term

However, for those children who are born, they have a long life ahead of them and continue to grow in the outside world.

The next tutorial investigates the physical development of humans through a lifetime, and relates to information associated with this process.