The abortion debate has been very emotional and sometimes even violent. Many on both sides of the issue have strongly held opinions. Pro-life supporters believe that hu­man life, and therefore personhood, begins at conception, and so an embryo, at any stage of development, is a person. Pro-life supporters believe that aborting a fetus is murder […]

Women report that they want contraceptives that are simpler to use and more suited to their lifestyles. This has given way to the longer-acting methods, such as the contracep­tive patch and hormonal ring. In the future, these products may have even longer effec­tiveness periods. In addition, it is likely that contraceptive pills that eliminate monthly […]

It is estimated that half of all unintended pregnancies occur because of contraceptive failures (F Stewart & Gabelnick, 2004). Researchers and scientists continue to look for contraceptive methods with little or no side effects that are easy to use. They have also tried to include beneficial effects, such as reduced acne or water retention, to […]

Many couples use ineffective methods in an attempt to avoid pregnancy, and some ex­perience unplanned pregnancies. Emergency contraception can be used when a couple fails to use contraception or uses ineffective methods. Unreliable Birth Control Sometimes couples rely on methods of contraception that are ineffective. They may keep their fingers crossed, hoping that they won’t […]

Sterilization is a popular contraceptive method throughout the world. In Brazil steriliza­tion is a popular choice in midlife, with over 42% of women undergoing surgical steril­ization (de Freitas, 2004). Sterilization procedures are also common in Australia, Canada, China, Colombia, and Cuba (Francoeur & Noonan, 2004). A 1999 govern­mental ruling in Costa Rica has led to […]

Tubal sterilizations are effective immediately, whereas vasectomies require semen analy­sis for 2 months after the procedure to ensure no viable sperm remains. Effectiveness for both procedures ranges from 99% to 99.9%. Advantages Sterilization is a highly effective permanent method of contraception. It offers a quick recovery, few long-term side effects, and does not interfere with […]

Male sterilization, or vasectomy, blocks the flow of sperm through the vas deferens (see Chapter 5). Typically, this procedure is simpler, less expensive, and safer than a tubal sterilization (Pollack, Carignan, & Jacobstein, 2004). After a vasectomy, the testes con­tinue to produce viable sperm cells, but with nowhere to go, they die and are absorbed […]

Female sterilization, or tubal sterilization (also referred to as getting one’s “tubes tied”), is the most widely used method of birth control in the world (Church & Geller, 1990). Between 1994 and 1996, over 2 million tubal sterilizations were performed, half of which were done directly following childbirth (MacKay et al., 2001). In a tubal […]

Although a man is fertile for most of his life, a healthy woman may be able to get preg­nant until the age of 50 to 51 (Pollack, Carignan, & Jacobstein, 2004). Women who no longer wish to have children but are still fertile may look for long-term protection from pregnancy. Sterilization has been found to […]