Family Planning

Family planning is one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century. The availability of family planning services allows individuals to achieve desired birth spacing and family size, and contributes to improved health outcomes for infants, children, women, and families.

Family planning services include

• Contraceptive services
• Pregnancy testing and counseling
• Pregnancy-achieving services including preconception health services
• Basic infertility services
• Sexually transmitted disease services
• Broader reproductive health services, including patient education and counseling
• Breast and pelvic examinations
• Breast and cervical cancer screening
• Sexually transmitted infection (STI) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention education, counseling, testing, and referral

Abstinence from sexual activity is the only 100% effective way to avoid unintended pregnancy. For individuals who are sexually active, correct and consistent contraceptive use is highly effective at preventing unintended pregnancy. The most effective methods to prevent unintended pregnancy include long-acting reversible contraceptives such as intrauterine devices (IUDs) and contraceptive implants, followed by other hormonal contraceptives including oral contraceptives (pills), the patch, the ring, and the Depo-Provera shot (DMPA). Condoms protect against both unintended pregnancy and STIs, and their use should be encouraged. Both men and women should be counseled about using condoms at every act of sexual intercourse when not in a long-term, mutually monogamous sexual relationship.

Please note: this page is general health information, not a diagnosis or a treatment plan. Every patient is different — please consult a doctor about your own situation. In an emergency, call (+91) 999-890-9448 immediately.