Whether you are a new mother or you and your partner are waiting for the right time to welcome a new member to your family, contraceptives go a long way to prevent any surprises! The misinformation floating around about birth control is staggering, which is why it becomes necessary for you to educate yourself. World Contraception Day, celebrated on September 26, is an annual worldwide campaign to raise awareness about various birth control options. Here are 10 interesting facts about contraceptives in India.
Did You Know?
In 1952, India was considered to be the first country to successfully launch a national programme for family planning.
Top 10 Facts That You Need To Know About Contraception In India
1. In India, The Burden Of Contraception Still Lies On The Woman
Nearly 75.4% of married men in India currently use no method of contraception, as per the National Family Health Survey. Condom use declined 52% over eight years, while vasectomies fell by 73%. Up to 54% of men said that their wives could not use contraception without their permission and one-fifth believed that it is a woman’s responsibility to avoid pregnancy and surprisingly 31% of women agreed with this. If a woman does not want a child, she is supposed to take care of it, some men do not seem to care. Planning a pregnancy is teamwork and both the partners should give in their full efforts with the help of a gynaecologist.
2. 90%+ Married Women Know About Birth Control But Only 50% Use It
Despite the fact that 47.8% of women in India use some form of birth control, there is still quite a bit that the average woman doesn’t know about her birth control. Almost half of India’s population in its reproductive age (15-49 years) doesn’t use a modern method of contraception to prevent unwanted pregnancies or spaced births.
3. The Preferred Mode Of Birth Control For Women In India Is Birth Control Pill
The oral contraceptive pill and female sterilization method are some of the most commonly used methods of contraception since 1982. Birth control pills are basically hormones that regulate the body’s reproductive system in such a way as to avoid the fertilization of the egg with the sperm, which leads to pregnancy. While most people get success with oral contraception or the pill, some people report failure. This could be because of missing the pill, not taking it on time, or similar reasons because when taken correctly, it is reported to be 99.9% successful.
4. There Are Different Types Of Contraceptive Methods
Birth control is a method that prevents women from getting pregnant and there are multiple options available in India like the birth control pill, vaginal rings, contraceptive injections, the IUD, condoms and more. Finding the right birth control is an individual experience because each woman responds differently and has to find the right fit for her.
5. Contraceptives Are Not 100% Effective
No method can give a foolproof guarantee of preventing pregnancy. Even condoms give around 80% protection. Contraceptive methods such as IUDs and implants are considered to be the most effective as they have a failure rate of less than 1%. Regarding the success rate of birth control pills, if taken in time, and appropriately, the failure rate is 1% in one year. So that way it is very safe.
6. Permanent Birth Control Options
When we talk about the safest permanent birth control method, Laparoscopic Tubal Ligation is a safe and permanent method of birth control for women. For men, Vasectomy is a way for permanent birth control. It is difficult to reverse this surgery if you change your mind and decide to have a child again. Different types of ‘Copper Ts’ are available, which is another way of contraception for 3 years, 5 or 7 years, depending upon the women’s contraceptive needs.
7. Bust The Common Myth That Contraceptives Cause Cancer
Oral contraceptive pills actually reduce the risk of ovarian and endometrial (inner lining of the uterus) cancer and hence are considered to be protective. Some associations may exist between the pills and breast cancer. It would be best to consult your doctor for thorough guidance before beginning a pill.
8. There Is No Substantial Weight Gain Related To Contraceptives
Taking contraceptives leads to other health issues like weight gain, mood swings and pelvic inflammatory disease. You might have heard this myth when it comes to birth control pills or even IUD implants, but know that women who are prescribed oral contraceptives for PCOS or other issues might experience weight gain and mood swings because of these underlying conditions rather than due to the contraceptives.
9. Status Of Emergency Contraceptive Pills In India
Emergency contraceptive pills are abused or inappropriately used in India, especially by the youth. Side effects of morning-after pills are nausea, vomiting, giddiness, breast tenderness, intermittent bleeding and lower abdominal pain. The effect usually lasts for three days.
10. India’s First Contraceptive Campaign ‘Nirodh’
Condoms have been available in India since the 1940s, however, many people from the low-income group could not afford to buy them. In 1963, India’s first mass-distributed condom was introduced by the name Nirodh (protection). This condom is credited with the success of the family planning and birth control campaign in the country. In 1966, HLL was established and over time, they added manufacturing capacity such that today it can manufacture 1.8 billion condoms every year.
Birth control methods give people the power to decide how many children to plan for and how much of a gap should be there between two children. Birth control is necessary because it safeguards women from unwanted pregnancies, so keep yourself educated and don’t fall prey to misinformation.
