Family Planning Counseling
Family Planning Counseling
               reproductive
                  Male
                 system
                                               Family
                                         Counseling
                                             Planning
  Family planning counseling is a process that         Furthermore, it plays a vital role in promoting
   involves healthcare professionals or trained     gender equality, reducing maternal mortality, and
     counselors engaging in discussions with        addressing population growth challenges. Family
      individuals or couples regarding their          planning counseling is not just about providing
 reproductive goals and contraceptive options.         information; it’s about creating a supportive
The primary goal of this counseling is to provide    environment where individuals and couples can
   information, support, and guidance to help        make choices that align with their values, goals,
people make informed choices about when and          and circumstances. In doing so, it enhances the
  how to have children or prevent unintended        overall quality of life for countless individuals and
                   pregnancies.                      contributes to the development of healthier and
                                                               more sustainable societies.
                                          Goals
          1                        2                        3                             4
  Promoting Informed       Empowering Individuals     Supporting Reproductive       Preventing Unintended
    Decision-Making            and Couples                    Health                    Pregnancies
Optimize health before    Assist in planning and   Ensure equal involvement      Address unplanned
 conception for safer     spacing pregnancies      in reproductive decisions   pregnancies to mitigate
  pregnancies and        based on emotional and      to reduce disparities.     maternal health risks.
      childbirth.          financial capacity.
                                      Goals
        9                    10                        11                           12
Mitigating Population   Preventing STIs and HIV    Providing Emotional          Tailoring Services to
       Growth                                            Support                   Individual Needs
                      Barrier                                           Hormonal
                                                                         methods
                       methods
Barrier contraceptive methods all work by blocking the entrance to
                                                                        Long-acting
 the uterus so an egg cannot unite with sperm. All barrier methods
work well if used correctly and consistently, but the user must take   Reversible
   the initiative to use the method each time she or he has sex.       contraceptive
                                                                        Sterilization
                                                                          methods
                                            Barrier : Condom
                                             methods
          Mechanism                                                     Advantage                        Side effect
                                            Effectiveness
        Indicidually Sized                     Typical use: 83%    It can be inserted hours before         Increase risk of urinary
               Diagphram                       effective.          sex. For the exact number of            tract infection (UTI)
Which must be fitted by a healthcare                               hours, read your diaphragm’s
professional. If you gain or lose 10 pounds,                       instructions.
have a baby, or have surgery on your                                                                       Toxic Shock Syndrome
abdomen or pelvis, you should be refitted
because the size and shape of your cervix
and vagina may change.
            One- Size
              Diagphram
         which fits most women.
          Contraceptive                                             Barrier
                    method                                           methods
                       Hormonal                                     Hormonal
                        methods                                      methods
Hormonal methods of birth control (contraception) contain either
                                                                    Long-acting
 estrogen plus progestin or progestin only; they are a safe and
 reliable way to prevent pregnancy for most people. Hormonal       Reversible
    methods include an implant, an intrauterine device (IUD),      contraceptive
         injections, pills, vaginal rings, and skin patches.
                                                                    Sterilization
                                                                      methods
                          Hormonal : Birth Control Pills
                            methods
      Mechanism                      Effectiveness                        Advantage                        Side- effect
The combined birth control pill   Birth control pills are       Non-invasive: The birth control pill is   Birth control pills may
is a pill you take by mouth.      over 99% effective at         a convenient and easy-to-use              cause side effects for
                                  preventing   pregnancy        method                                    some women, although
                                  when taken correctly.
It contains synthetic hormones                              .                                             not        all      women
similar to estrogen and                                         Reversible: Once you stop taking the      experience them.
                                                                                                          Potential side effects
progesterone, the female                                        pill, your fertility returns to normal.
                                                                                                          include:
hormones       that    regulate
                                                                                                               Skin discoloration
ovulation (egg release).                                                                                       Headaches
                                                                                                               Breast tenderness
The pill helps women control                                                                                   Breast enlargement
their ovulation cycle.                                                                                         Changes in sex drive
                                                                                                               Weight gain
                                                                                                               Nausea
                          Hormonal : Birth Control Patch
                             methods
      Mechanism                    Effectiveness                 Advantage                       Side effect
                                                        Reduced menstrual bleeding and
A small, adhesive patch worn      Perfect use:   99%                                           Tender breasts
                                                        cramping
on the arm, back, lower belly,    effective        at
                                                        Fewer PMS symptoms: May help           Nausea or throwing up
etc.                              preventing
                                                        alleviate mood swings, bloating, and
                                  pregnancy.            breast tenderness.                     Rash or redness where you
Releases hormones similar to                                                                   place the patch
birth control pills or vaginal                          Regular periods: Periods become
                                                        more predictable and start around
rings through the skin.                                                                        Mood changes
                                                        every 28 days (unless worn during
                                                        the 4th week).
Also called a transdermal patch                                                                Menstrual cramps
or transdermal contraceptive.                           No spotting
Contraceptive injection (also      Very effective at preventing pregnancy.           Changes in menstrual bleeding:
called Depo) is an injection of
the hormone progestogen.                                                             Periods may become more frequent,
                                   Reduced bleeding
Progestogen is like the                                                              irregular, or stop altogether.
hormone produced by the
ovaries.                           Reduced pain: Periods may be less painful.
                                                                                     Weight gain: Around 20% of users
                                                                                     experience weight gain.
                                   Long-lasting: Effective for 12 to 14 weeks.
                        Long-acting
                      Reversible                                        Hormonal
                      contraceptive                                      methods
 Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) is the most effective
                                                                        Long-acting
form of reversible birth control. There are two types of LARCs, IUDs
 and implants. IUDs are inserted into your uterus and implants are     Reversible
  inserted into your arm. They can prevent pregnancy for several       contraceptive
                                years.
                                                                        Sterilization
                                                                          methods
                                        Long-acting
                                   Reversible IUD
                                   contraceptive
          Mechanism                                          Advantage                                       Side effect
An intrauterine device (IUD), also        It can be used by almost any woman including          Menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, and
known     as     an    intrauterine       nulliparous                                           polymenorrhea,        which    are
contraceptive device (IUCD), is a                                                               common reasons people stop
small T-shaped plastic device with        Its action lasts for ten years if it is not removed   using them.
copper    banded     around     the       in between                                            No STI protection
transverse arms, which is inserted        The onset of action is immediate                      Infection risk: There's a small
into the uterus to prevent                It is independent of sexual activity                  chance of infection during
pregnancy                                                                                       insertion, and STIs can lead to
                                          It doesn’t interfere with intercourse                 pelvic inflammatory disease if left
                                          It is suitable for lactating women                    untreated.
        Effectiveness                     Fertility returns promptly on discontinuation         IUDs can expel from the uterus,
                                                                                                especially early on.
                                          It can be used by women who are on any type
                                                                                                Very rarely, an IUD can puncture
 It is highly effective, with a 98-99     of medication                                         the uterus during insertion,
 percent success rate.                    It is not associated with cancer of any organ         requiring surgery.
                                          unlike hormonal contraception                         If pregnancy occurs with an IUD,
                                                                                                it's more likely to be ectopic
                                          It does not cause weight gain                         (outside the uterus).
                                          It does not usually affect mood or sex drive
                                   Reversible Implants
                                    Long-acting
                                   contraceptive
      Mechanism                                    Advantage                                                Side- effect
A birth control implant is a        Effectiveness. It’s one of the most effective birth control
type of hormonal birth control.     methods available.                                            Some people experience side effects
The implant itself is a very                                                                      from the implant, but many people
small plastic rod about the         Longevity. Once inserted, the implant lasts 3 years           don’t.
size of a matchstick. A doctor      before needing to be replaced.
or       other      healthcare                                                                    Irregular menstrual bleeding is the
professional inserts it into the    Convenience. No pre-sex prep or reminders.                    most common side effect. Periods
upper arm, right under the ski                                                                    may also become lighter, heavier, or
                                    Cost effective. It can be a bit costly upfront, but there     stop altogether.
                                    are no costs beyond that for 3 years.
At over 99 percent effective,       Reversible. You can remove it at any time and your
the birth control implant is one    fertility will return as soon as it’s removed.
of the most effective birth
control methods available.          No estrogen. It’s safe for people who can’t use birth
                                    control that contains estrogen.
           Contraceptive                                                 Barrier
                     method                                               methods
                   Sterilization                                         Hormonal
                        methods                                           methods
Sterilization is a permanent form of birth control that is extremely
                                                                         Long-acting
 effective at preventing pregnancy. But it is difficult to reverse if
you change your mind, and it does not protect against STDs. Both        Reversible
men and women can be sterilized. For women, a tubal ligation is         contraceptive
          performed; for men, a vasectomy is performed.
                                                                        Sterilization
                                                                           methods
                               Sterilization :Tubal Ligation
                                          methods
          Mechanism                                      Advantage                                     Side effect
Tubal ligation is a procedure that          Highly effective: Tubal ligation is 99%       Shoulder pain.
provides permanent birth control.           effective at preventing pregnancy, offering
                                                                                          Bloating.
It’s commonly called “getting your          long-term peace of mind.
tubes tied.” In this surgery, your                                                        Abdominal cramps.
fallopian tubes are cut, blocked or         Convenient: No need to remember pills,
sealed off to prevent pregnancy.            change anything, or revisit healthcare        Nausea.
Tubal ligation is safe and effective        providers for birth control.                  Sore throat (from the breathin
and can be done at any time.                                                              tube).
                                            Non-hormonal: This method doesn't affect
                                                                                          Dizziness.
                                            your hormones, periods, or cause menopause.
         Effectiveness
 It’s about 99% effective in preventing     Potential health benefit: Studies suggest a
 pregnancy.                                 reduced risk of ovarian cancer.
                               Sterilization : Vasectomy
                                   methods
      Mechanism                                 Advantage                                        Side- effect
   changes
                            tracking
                          Menstrual
                               cycle
        preparation                 The calendar method uses
Before using the calendar method,   your cycle history to predict
you need to track your menstrual    your fertile window (days
cycles for at least 6 months to     you're most likely to get
understand your cycle pattern:      pregnant).
    Track Period Length: Mark the   Knowing your cycle length
    first day of each period on a   helps     estimate      when
    calendar or period tracking     ovulation    (egg    release)
    app.                            might occur.
    Count Cycle Length: Count the
    total number of days between       why tracking is
    the first day of each period.
                                         important
                       The BBT method tracks your basal body temperature (lowest
                       temperature during rest) to identify ovulation (egg release).
                                          How it works
                 Take your temperature every morning before getting out of bed.
                 Record your daily temperatures on a chart.
 monitoring
Basal Body
                 After ovulation, your BBT typically rises slightly (0.5-1°F) and stays
                 elevated until the end of your cycle.
                 Your fertile days are the 2-3 days leading up to this temperature
temperature      increase.
                           limitations                                   overall
              Retrospective: Identifies ovulation only after     Not a reliable standalone
              it happens, not predicting it.                     birth control method.
              Inaccurate with illness: Fever can disrupt         More     effective    when
              BBT patterns, making it unreliable.                combined with other FAMs
              Limited effectiveness alone: Doesn't tell you      like the cervical mucus
              when ovulation will occur, making it less          method
              effective for preventing pregnancy on its
              own.
                                                                              observing
 The Cervical Mucus Method is a fertility awareness method (FAM) that
   helps you predict your fertile window by observing changes in your      Cervical Mucus
            cervical mucus throughout your menstrual cycle.
                                                                              changes
                           How it works
  Track your cervical mucus daily and record observations on a chart.
  MucuAs changes consistency throughout your cycle, indicating fertile
  and infertile days.
  Have unprotected sex on safe (infertile) days and use another birth
  control method or abstain on unsafe (fertile) days.
    Benefits                                 challenges
No      hormones      or       Requires daily tracking and interpreting
medications involved.          mucus changes (sticky, creamy, stretchy).
Can be used while              Less effective than other methods when
breastfeeding.                 used alone.
                               More reliable when combined with basal
                               body temperature tracking
                                                                                                  Higher failure rate
                                                                                Challenges
                             (irregular cycles, etc.).
                             Chance of pregnancy even with
                             perfect use.
   Preconception Health refers to the health of men and
 women during their reproductive years, or the years they
can have a child (CDC,2023). It addresses risk factors that   Preconception
  may occur throughout pregnancy and promotes good
  health for the mother and child through preconception
                                                                       Health
                       health care.
                       health                                        Physical
                                                                      activity
   Preconception health is crucial for controlling and making
  informed decisions, reducing birth abnormalities, improving
                                                                    avoidance of
 maternal outcomes, and supporting a healthy pregnancy and
   birth. Furthermore, it fosters a supportive environment for       Harmful
 conception and pregnancy, encouraging people and couples            substance
to communicate openly with healthcare practitioners and seek
     help as required. It promotes a proactive approach to          Pre-existing
    reproductive health, allowing people to make informed
decisions and have access to tools that aid in conception and
                                                                      Health
                                                                     conditions
                            pregnancy.
                                                                 Factors to Consider:
                                                diet &
                                       Importance
                                          nutrition
                                                            Benefits before, during, and
 Nutrition and diet are important for health                     after pregnancy
and development especially if you plan to
   get pregnant. Our body needs all the              Strengthens the immune system against
nutrients, vitamins, and minerals for a safer        infections.
       pregnancy and a healthy baby.                 Reduces risks of pregnancy complications like
                                                     gestational diabetes and high blood pressure.
 Eating a variety of healthy foods with a            Enhances overall well-being for both parents.
balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, whole           Promotes      healthy    fetal  growth    and
grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats can          development.
          help you in many ways.                     May improve chances of perinatal (around the
                                                     time of birth) survival.
            Benefits before, during, and after pregnancy
             Regular physical activity offers numerous advantages for women who
             are planning for pregnancy, expecting, or have recently given birth.
Physical
                   Well-being                                     Benefits
           Improved Physical Health                      Reduced Back and Pelvic Pain
           Enhanced Mood                                 Weight Management
activity
           Increased Energy Levels                       Lower Risk of Complications
           Stress Relief                                 Stronger Body
                                      postpartum benefits
                            Faster Recovery: Physical activity can
                            aid in faster postpartum recovery.
                            (Consider consulting your doctor before
                            resuming exercise after childbirth.)
                   avoidance of
                      Harmful
                                                                      Preconception care isn't just about diet and exercise.
                                                                       Discussing your medical history with your healthcare
                     substance                                                          provider is crucial.
  Planning a pregnancy? Avoiding harmful substances
                                                                                                   why?
 like tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs is crucial. This
                                                                      Chronic Disease Management: Healthcare providers can
  simple step significantly improves your chances of a                address existing chronic health conditions like diabetes, high
             healthy pregnancy and baby.                              blood pressure, or thyroid issues.
 Aabuse
                                  b
                               Behavioral &
                               Baby Spacing
                                                                    c
                                                                    Chronic
                                                                    Disease
Avoid Alcohol              Screen and treat for all           Hypertension
Quit Smoking               psycho-social issues               Obesity
Avoid Illegal Drugs        Waiting 2 years or longer          Consult the healthcare
Domestic Violence          before your body will be           provider before attempting
                           ready for another pregnancy        to concede
                                 How do you put your body in the healthiest
                                           condition possible?
                                         ABCDE’ S can help you!
      d
  Diet, Drugs
    & Dads
                                               e
                                          Environmental
                                            Exposures
                                                                                s
                                                                              STI’s, Shot, &
                                                                              Screenings
Include fruits and vegetables         This means avoiding harmful        Get tested and treated for
in the diet                          exposures that can be found at      sexually           transmitted
Take a multivitamin
Take      only     medication              home and at work.             infections (STIs)
prescribed by the doctor                                                 Screen for genetic disorders
Talk to the doctor about                                                 Immunizations
medications      and     their
effects on pregnancy                                                     Go to the dentist to treat any
Have a supportive partner                                                dental infection
          Myth &
         Fertility             VS.                     Truth
      MIsconception
                                 For women, fertility decreases with age due to a
Age Doesn't Affect Fertility     fall in the quantity and quality of eggs produced.
 Stress Leads to Infertility     For women, fertility decreases with age due to a
                                 fall in the quantity and quality of eggs produced.
It's Always a Woman's Problem      Infertility is not caused by birth control pills. After
                                   stopping the pill, fertility usually returns; however,
                                   menstrual cycle regulation may take some time.
Fertility Increases with Daily     While engaging in sexual activity around ovulation,
                                   within the fertile window, can boost the likelihood of
Intercourse                        conception, daily sexual activity is not required.
               Myth &
              Fertility              VS.                       Truth
            MIsconception
 Fertility Issues Are Inherited        Although a number of causes, including age, lifestyle,
                                       and environmental factors, can contribute to infertility,
                                       some fertility problems may run in families.
Fertility    Treatments     Always     Although extremely successful, IVF and other fertility
                                       treatments do not ensure conception.
Work
                                                                Hindus have differing opinions on
                According to Church doctrine,
                                                               family planning. Large families are
                using artificial contraception is
                                                                    encouraged in many Hindu
              immoral. Rather, it encourages the
                                                                religions, which see children as a
                 use of natural family planning
                                                               blessing. Individual Hindu views on
               techniques, such as monitoring a
                                                               contraception might vary, though,
                                                    Hinduism
               woman's menstrual cycle, to steer
Catholicism
                                                                 and there is no one-size-fits-all
                     clear of fertile times.
                                                                             position.
                                                    Buddhism
                methods of contraception are
   Islam
                                                                            emphasized
               commonly used, others might not
                        be advised.
                                                                         Procreating and carrying on the
                      Large families have a high
                                                                       family line are extremely valuable
                    demand, and fertility is highly
                                                                          in traditional Chinese culture.
                  valued in many African societies.
                                                                       However, official initiatives like the
                     However, opinions on family
                                                                        one-child policy (which has since
                 planning may be greatly different
                                                                          been lifted) have shaped how
Traditional African
                 across various tribes and cultures.
                                                       Traditional Chinese
                                                                       people feel about family planning
                                                                                in the modern day.
      beliefs                                                beliefs
                                                        Indigenous
                       many sects of Judaism.
   Judaism
                                                                              have their roots in spiritual and
                                                                                    cultural traditions.
                                                          beliefs
                                           Supportive
                                       Resources
       When it comes to family planning counseling, there's a wealth of resources available to support
        both healthcare providers and individuals seeking information and guidance. These resources
       encompass a variety of organizations, agencies, and online platforms dedicated to promoting
                             reproductive health and informed decision-making
                                         American College of
     Guttmacher Institute                                                           National Institutes of
                                          Obstetricians and
                                                                                         Health (NIH)
                                         Gynecologists (ACOG)
Conducts research and provides        Offers clinical guidelines, patient      Provides research findings, clinical
evidence-based resources on           education       materials,     and       guidelines,    and     educational
family planning, including reports,   professional resources on family         materials on various aspects of
fact sheets, and policy analysis.     planning and reproductive health.        family        planning          and
                                                                               contraception.
Supportive Resources
When it comes to family planning counseling, there's a wealth of resources available to support both healthcare providers
and individuals seeking information and guidance. These resources encompass a variety of organizations, agencies, and
online platforms dedicated to promoting reproductive health and informed decision-making this includes:
1.World Health Organization (WHO) WHO offers guidelines and resources for family planning counseling, including training
manuals and reports.
2.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - CDC provides educational materials, training modules, and
guidelines for healthcare providers on family planning counseling.
3. Planned Parenthood Planned Parenthood offers comprehensive information on family planning options, including
contraception methods, pregnancy options counseling, and reproductive health services.
4. Guttmacher Institute - Guttmacher Institute conducts research and provides evidence-based resources on family
planning, including reports, fact sheets, and policy analysis.
5. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) - ACOG offers clinical guidelines, patient education
materials, and professional resources on family planning and reproductive health.
6. National Institutes of Health (NIH) - NIH provides research findings, clinical guidelines, and educational materials on
various aspects of family planning and contraception.
Empowerment Message