Family planning clinics help people plan and prepare for their ideal number of children. Whether you want six children or none at all, family planning is a super important part of women’s reproductive health. Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about family planning, contraceptive methods, and the treatment of infertility.

There are six main methods of family planning that can help you achieve your dream family: barrier methods, fertility awareness, hormonal contraception, long-acting reversible contraception, emergency contraception, and permanent contraception

1. Barrier methods

Barrier methods, more commonly known as condoms and internal condoms, can help prevent sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies. Barrier methods are one of the most attainable forms of birth control. They can be found in family planning clinics, community health centers, doctor’s offices, drug stores, and convenience stores.

2. Fertility awareness

Fertility awareness can help you plan your pregnancy or avoid an accidental pregnancy. Period tracking and learning signs of fertility throughout your menstrual cycle will help you predict when you’re ovulating and when you have a high chance of getting pregnant.

3. Hormonal contraception

Hormonal contraception comes in two forms: the pill and the Depo Provera injection. The pill is taken orally and can either contain progestogen or a combination of both progestogen and estrogen. If taken correctly, the pill is a highly effective form of birth control and has a rate of 99% effectiveness. The Depo Provera injection is taken once every 3 months and has a rate of just over 99%.

4. Long-acting reversible contraception

Long-acting reversible contraception can last for up to ten years. These methods include the intrauterine device (IUD) and the implant which are both over 99% effective. IUDs can last three, five, or ten years depending on the kind while the implant lasts for five years.

5. Emergency contraception

An emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) can be taken up to three days after unprotected sex. These ECPs contain a hormone called levonorgestrel that blocks ovulation. This type of emergency contraception is 98% effective if you weigh 150lbs or less.

An alternative emergency contraceptive, especially if you weigh over 150 lbs, is a copper intrauterine device. With a 99% rate of effectiveness, this type of IUD can be inserted up to five days after unprotected sex.

There are numerous advantages to family planning. It can decrease pregnancy complications, prevent health risks to the mother, protect adolescents against unplanned pregnancies, and decrease infant mortality rates. Additionally, it can also prevent sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and AIDS.

Seeing a doctor is so important for family planning because every person should have the right to know what options they have. A good doctor should offer insight into the right contraceptive methods for you based on factors such as your fertility, hormones, and desired lifestyle. Increasing sexual education and knowledge can be both empowering and super beneficial to your own reproductive health! Call Women’s Health Consulting or schedule an appointment online for all family planning services. We serve patients from Chicago IL, Cicero IL, Oak Park IL, Forest Park IL, Berwyn IL, Maywood IL, and Logan Square Chicago IL.