Chapter V: Family Planning
contraceptives that are easily accessible are most likely to be
Family Planning most Filipinos consider family planning as
synonymous to birth control and can also denote abortion.
Reproductive Health it can mean that people can have
responsible, satisfying and safe sex life, freedom to decide,
when and how often to engage in sexual contact; access to
appropriate health care services to enable women to have
safe pregnancy and childbirth; and the best chance for
couples to have health infants.
FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE ACCEPTANCE OR REJECTION OF
FAMILY PLANNING IN THE PHILIPPINES
Religious Factor studies show that different religious groups
tend to support family planning; however, the methods to
attain this objective vary. Protestants support all forms of
contraceptive methods, while the Catholics reject all forms of
artificial methods but accept only the natural family
planning (rhythm method) and value education.
Institutional Patterns and Community Framework - studies
show that Philippine society encourages big family size and
indirectly discourages family planning.
Family and Kinship Structures the typical nuclear Filipino
family is still large and has an extended kinship structure that
considers children as signs of Gods blessing, symbols of mans
virility (in the rural and blighted areas) and assets that will
provide insurance in old age and continuity of the family.
Mass Media the acceptance or rejection of family planning
depends upon the mass media (radio and television) exposure
to the target acceptors. Studies shows that the mass media
can facilitate transfer of knowledge, change of attitudes and
acceptance or rejection of contraceptive methods.
Rational Family Planning Program the acceptance and
rejection of family planning depend on a strong government
sponsored family planning program that provides women
with the services and information needed to make
childbearing decisions. The Philippine government, like India,
pursues reproductive health that will rationalize the use and
distribution of contraceptives.
Acceptability of the Contraceptive people who used
contraceptives (traditional or modern) show higher odds of
experiencing abortion than those who never use
contraceptives.
Couples Motivation the motivation of the couple to use
contraceptive methods depends on whether they desire to
space or limit the number of their children because of health
and financial reasons.
Sexual Attitudes the studies showed that sex education can
actually delay early initiation of sexual intercourse and can
lead to more consistent contraceptive use and safer sex
practices.
Availability of the Contraceptive studies show that
used.
Medical Effects of the Contraceptive Methods - those who
are hypersensitive and are easily irritated by side effects
could use less efficient but more acceptable contraceptive
methods.
Effectiveness of the Methods the most effective
contraceptives when used correctly and consistently, or as
commonly used.
Cost of the Contraceptive Methods there are two classes of
couples; the upper class and the lower class. Upper class
couples choose contraceptive methods that are effective
regardless of cost, while lower class couples are less likely to
choose expensive but very effective contraceptive methods.
This is one of the reasons why poor couples tend to have
larger families than the middle and upper classes couples.
Contraceptive Methods
Contraceptive Methods the couples who desire to plan
their families can select from these varieties of contraceptive
methods.
Traditional Methods are folks methods of avoiding
pregnancy by using postcoital douche and prolonged
lactation.
Postcoital Douche the flushing out and the immobilization
of the sperm from the vagina by using water, vinegar or other
commercial products.
Prolonged Lactation (Lactation Amenorrhea Method or LAM)
- it can delay ovulation for six months and probably for as long
as 9 to 12 months after childbirth. This method is very
effective if the baby is less than six months old, gets 85% of
his feeding from breast milk and is breast feed by the mother
both day and night, and if the mothers menstrual period has
not yet returned.
Behavioral Contraceptive Methods these methods prevent
pregnancy by altering he natural process of sexual relations,
thereby preventing the union of the egg and the sperm.
Withdrawal (Coitus Interruptus) this method requires the
withdrawal of the penis before ejaculation to prevent the
sperm from entering the womb but may not even prevent
pregnancy because studies show that sperms are
released even prior to ejaculation.
Rhythm Method the most approved contraceptive methods
among the Catholics. It is the method that prevents sexual
contact at the time when it is unsafe during the
ovulation period. To determine the safe and unsafe days, the
calendar, the temperature and the ovulation methods can be
used simultaneously.
Calendar Method the women should keep record of her
menstruation for at least six months to a year to determine
her long and short menstrual cycle. To know the safe and
unsafe periods, subtract 18 from the shortest cycle and
subtract 11 from the longest cycle.
Temperature Method (Basal Body Temperature Method) -
indicates the time of fertility and ovulation.
Ovulation Method (Cervical Mucus Method) - this technique
requires monitoring of the vaginal discharge to determine
the safe and unsafe period. When the mucous is discharged,
it is unsafe to have sexual intercourse because the ripe egg is
released. Peak period or the unsafe days will be marked by
the presence of watery mucous discharge.
Mechanical Contraceptives mechanical devices like
condom, diaphragm, cervical caps, sponge, and IUD that block
the sperms from entering the womb of the woman, thus
preventing pregnancy.
Condom a rubber or thin latex sheath used on erect penis to
prevent the sperm from entering the womb to prevent
pregnancy and at the same time provide protection against
venereal diseases. It is used with spermicides for additional
protection against pregnancy because it can break or get torn
during sexual intercourse.
Sterilization this surgical operation does not require the
removal of sexual glands and does not affect sexual desire or
the sexual act.
Vasectomy a simple surgical tying or cutting of vas deferens
to prevent the mixing of sperms and semen permanently.
Tubal Ligation the surgical cutting, tying or searing of the
fallopian tube to block the eggs from reaching the uterus,
preventing pregnancy.
Medical studies showed that, the most effective contraceptive
methods are the pills, implants, injectables and sterilization
(tubal ligation and vasectomy), but none of those enumerated
can be chosen as the best contraceptive method. The best
contraceptive is one method that is physically, economically
and aesthetically acceptable to the users. Studies show that
the best contraceptive is the method that is mutually
acceptable, consistently and correctly used by couples to
attain quality life for the family and society.

Chemical Contraceptives substances that prevent

pregnancy by killing sperms before they enter the uterus,
preventing the ovary from releasing eggs and changing the
uterine wall lining and mucus to make the uterus hostile to
egg implantation.

Spermicides chemical substances (cream, gel, foam or

vaginal film) deposited into the vagina an hour or less but
more than 10 minutes before sex. It kill or inactivate the
sperms before they enter the uterine cavity.

Pills combinations of estrogen and progesterone that

prevent the maturation and release of the egg from the ovary.

Implants match-sized six capsules or silicone rods containing

progesterone implanted under the skin of a womans upper
arm. Implant 99% to 100% effective in preventing pregnancy
within 24 hours to 5 years of implantation.

Injectables chemical contraceptives that contain synthetic

hormone administered intravenously to females monthly,
every two months, or every three months. It stops ovulation
thickens cervical mucus, making it difficult for sperms to move
freely.

Diaphragm a dome-shaped rubber disk with flexible rim

worn by women one hour before intercourse. It is inserted
into the birth canal to cover the entrance of the uterus and
block the sperms from entering the womb.

Intrauterine Device (IUD) mechanical plastic or stainless

steel or copper device. It interferes with sperm movement or
implantation of the egg into the linings of the uterus and thus
prevents pregnancy. There are three types of IUD; Mirena,
Copper T, and Multiload.