Family planning

For Family Planning Methods; 
- Family Planning Clinics in Hospitals and Maternity Homes 
- Mother and Child Health and Family Planning Centers 
- You can reach us from the Health Centres.

The purpose of family planning is to protect the health of the family and ensure that they live happily. If the mother's age is under 18 or over 35, if less than 2 years have passed between pregnancies, and if the number of pregnancies is 4 or more, it is risky for the health of the mother and child.

In order to prevent these risky pregnancies, "Modern Contraceptive" (Pregnancy Preventive) Methods must be used.

FAMILY PLANNING METHODS
80-90% of women who have sexual intercourse without using any method of contraception become pregnant within a year. Therefore, if a baby is not wanted for a while or no longer, an effective contraceptive method must be used. To choose the most suitable method of protection for you and the person you are with, contact your university's Medico-Social Health Center Youth Counseling Unit, health centres, family planning clinics affiliated with state hospitals and SSK hospitals, maternal and child health and family planning centres, your family physician. or you can consult a gynecologist and obstetrician. 

A. GENERAL PROTECTION METHODS

1. Pill and Mini Pill
General Features 
· It should be taken regularly every day.
· It prevents ovulation and fertilization in women.
· It is very effective when used correctly.
· It should be taken within the first five days of the menstrual period, preferably on the first day.
· Prevents premenstrual tension and menstrual pain.
· Protects against uterine and ovarian cancers.
· Since it reduces the amount of menstrual bleeding, it has protective effects against anemia that may occur due to this reason.
· It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis-B, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia).

Pill
· It contains two of the female hormones (estrogen and progesterone) found naturally in women.
· Women who are 35 years of age or older and smoke should quit smoking if they can be protected by pills.
· It is not used during breastfeeding as it reduces the amount of breast milk and changes its structure.

Mini Pill
· It contains only one of the female hormones (progesterone) found naturally in women.
· Since it does not affect breast milk, breastfeeding women can also use it.

2. Monthly Needle
· It is administered regularly once a month by intramuscular injection.
· It contains two of the female hormones (estrogen and progesterone) found naturally in women.
· It prevents ovulation and fertilization.
· It is very effective when used correctly.
· It is applied preferably on the first day of the first seven days of menstruation.
· Women over the age of 35 and smokers can use it when they quit smoking.
· It is not used during breastfeeding as it reduces the amount of breast milk and changes its structure.
· It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis-B, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia).

3. Quarterly Injection
· It is administered by intramuscular injection regularly every three months.
· It contains only one of the female hormones (progesterone) found naturally in women.
· It prevents ovulation and fertilization.
· It is very effective when used correctly.
· It is applied preferably on the first day of the first seven days of menstruation.
· There may be breakthrough bleeding and when used for a long time, menstruation may not occur during use.
· Since it does not affect breast milk, breastfeeding women can also use it.
· After the injections are stopped, getting pregnant again may be delayed by an average of nine months.
· It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis-B, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia).

4. Subcutaneous Capsules 
· These are matchstick-sized silicone rods placed on the inside of the arm.
· It contains only one of the female hormones (progesterone) found naturally in women.
· Prevents ovulation and fertilization.
· It protects against pregnancy for three or five years, depending on its type. 
· It is very effective.
· It is applied on any day when there is no suspicion of pregnancy, preferably within the first seven days of the menstrual period.
· It may cause a decrease in the amount of menstrual bleeding, breakthrough bleeding and spotting.
· Since it does not affect breast milk, breastfeeding women can also use it.
· It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis-B, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia).

5. Intrauterine Device
· It is a small plastic device that is inserted into the uterus. There are types containing copper and hormones. 
· Prevents fertilization. 
· It is very effective. 
· There are copper types that protect up to 10 years. 
· It can be applied at any time when it is sure that the woman is not pregnant. It is not necessary to be menstruating during the application. 
· When removed, pregnancy can be achieved immediately. 
· In the first months, it may cause spotting, increase in menstrual period or prolongation of menstrual period, and menstrual pain. 
· Since it does not affect breast milk, breastfeeding women can also use it. 
· It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis-B, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia). 
· It does not cause infection when applied according to the rules. 

6. Condom (Condom, Sheath, Hood)
. It is a very thin and flexible sheath made of a type of rubber for use by men. 
· During sexual intercourse, it prevents the male germ cells (sperm) in the semen from passing into the woman's vagina. 
· It is very effective when used correctly. 
· A NEW, UNUSED SLEEVE is used for each sexual intercourse. The sheath is fitted to the erect male organ BEFORE IT EVER CONTACTS the woman's vagina. After ejaculation, the organ should be removed before it becomes loose. 
· PROTECTS FROM SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (SUCH AS HIV/AIDS, HEPATITIS-B, SYLPHIS, GONORRHEA, CHLAMIDIA). 
· It has no side effects. 

7. Aperture
· It is a dome-shaped device made of thin rubber that covers the cervix. 
· It prevents male germ cells (sperm) from passing from the chamber (vagina, urethra) to the uterus. 
· It is very effective when used correctly. 
· It is placed before sexual intercourse and removed at the earliest six hours after intercourse. 
· If used correctly, the same diaphragm can be washed and dried for two years. 
· Since it does not affect breast milk, breastfeeding women can also use it. 
· It protects against some sexually transmitted infections. 

8. Female Condom
· It is a tool in the form of a case made of thin, transparent, soft plastic, the ends of which are stretched with rings.
· It is placed in the woman's vagina before sexual intercourse.
· During sexual intercourse, it prevents the sperm in the semen from spilling into the woman's vagina.
· It is very effective when used correctly and together with spermicide. 
· A new female condom should be used for each sexual intercourse.
· Since it does not affect breast milk, breastfeeding women can also use it.
· PROTECTS FROM SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (SUCH AS HIV/AIDS, HEPATITIS-B, SYLPHIS, GONORRHEA, CHLAMIDIA). 
· It has no side effects.

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9. Spermicides (Sperm Destroyers) 
· They are gel, suppository and foaming tablets that are applied by placing them in the woman's vagina. In order for the tablets to dissolve, they must be applied deep into the vagina 10 to 15 minutes before sexual intercourse. In order for it to show its full effect, the vagina should not be washed for at least 6 hours after sexual intercourse for any reason. Washing the vagina for any reason, unless recommended by a doctor, is definitely not recommended as it will disrupt its natural protection and increase the risk of infections. 
· Prevents pregnancy by neutralizing male germ cells in the vagina.
· It is very effective when used correctly.
· The application should be repeated for each sexual intercourse.
· Since it does not affect breast milk, breastfeeding women can also use it.
· It protects against some sexually transmitted infections. 

10. Ligation of the Tubes in Women (Tubal Ligation) 
· In couples who no longer want children, the women's fallopian tubes are surgically ligated.
· Since the tubes are tied, the egg does not encounter the male germ cell (sperm). Thus, fertilization is prevented.
· It is performed at any time when there is no suspicion of pregnancy, and if the woman is married, with the written consent of herself and her husband.
· It is very effective.
· It does not cause any change in sexual desire, sufficiency and satisfaction, or menstrual bleeding.
· It does not require hospitalization.
· It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis-B, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia).

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11. Ligation of Ducts in Men (Vasectomy)
· In couples who no longer want children, the men's sperm ducts are tied.
· Since the channels are connected, male germ cells (sperms) do not pass into the ejaculation fluid. Thus, fertilization is prevented.
· The onset of protection does not occur immediately. An additional method such as a condom (condom, sheath) should be used for the first 20 ejaculations or for approximately 3 months. It is very effective.
· It does not cause any change in sexual desire, sufficiency and satisfaction, or erection of the male organ.
· If the man is married, it is done with the written consent of himself and his wife. 
· It can be done without cutting or stitching the skin. It does not require hospitalization. 
· It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis-B, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia).

12. Natural Prevention Methods
a. Methods Based on Fertility Symptoms
· They are based on determining the ovulation periods when the woman is fertile and not having sexual intercourse during this period.
· It is applied by the woman by evaluating the type and amount of discharge coming from the cervix, changes in the hardness and level of the cervix, and body temperature changes.
· It may be difficult to detect signs of fertility in the periods following breastfeeding, menopause and hormone use.
· In order to use natural family planning methods effectively, it is necessary to be well informed and trained on this subject.
· It has no side effects.
· It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis-B, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia).

b. Protection through Breastfeeding (Lactational Amenorrhea)
After birth, if the mother breastfeeds her baby exclusively with breast milk for at least 60 minutes a day, at frequent intervals, for the first six months, ovulation may not occur. In this case, pregnancy does not occur even if there is sexual intercourse.
If menstrual bleeding occurs during this period, supplementary feeding is started, or the mother stops breastfeeding, the protection of this method decreases significantly.
It should be known that protection through breastfeeding will not be possible after the first six months following birth, and effective pregnancy protection must be ensured before the end of this period. 
c. Withdrawal (Ejaculation)
· During sexual intercourse, before ejaculation occurs, the man ejaculates outside by removing his penis from the woman's vagina. 
· Its effectiveness depends entirely on the user, not every couple can apply it successfully.
· In order for this method to be applied correctly and to prevent the sexual relationship from being negatively affected, both parties must be willing and determined.
13. Emergency Protection 
Again; If you have had unprotected sexual intercourse or encounter an unexpected situation while using a contraceptive method and you do not want to become pregnant, you can take urgent precautions. For this, you should apply to a health institution that provides family planning services within the first three days (72 hours) after sexual intercourse. You can be protected by taking the number of pills determined according to the amount of hormone in it, twice, twelve hours apart, or by applying an intrauterine device within five days. In this case, the sooner you apply, the more effective protection you will get. Protection with pills after intercourse is not a method to be used frequently, as it affects the natural course of the woman's menstrual cycle. However, it can be used when faced with unexpected situations (breaking the condom, forgetting the pill, making a mistake while using a natural method, being raped, etc.).

How to Use Emergency Prevention Methods? 
· After sexual intercourse without taking precautions for pregnancy, one of the following options can be applied to prevent unwanted pregnancies.
· Option to use pills
· As soon as possible after intercourse but before 72 hours 
· ATTENTION! Birth control pills contain different amounts of hormones, and the amounts that can be used for emergency contraception vary accordingly. It should be used according to the above dosages.
· Pills are available on the market under different trade names; health professionals at the Youth Counseling Unit may be asked to provide guidance on this matter.
· Intrauterine Device (spiral) Option
· You may apply to a health institution within the first five days after intercourse and be asked to apply an Intrauterine Device.
· It is not necessary to have menstruated for emergency protection with Intrauterine Device application. However, it should be ensured that pregnancy does not occur in the days before unprotected intercourse.

Note: If it is discovered that there is a hole after using a condom or if unprotected sexual intercourse occurs, you should go to the nearest HEALTH INSTITUTION within 72 hours for "Emergency Contraception".

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''The above information was taken from the Ministry of Health Publications''