Details: Category: Region 9; Published: 28 December 2022

Birth Control Total population in the Philippines continues to rise according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The data shows that announced that the total population of the Philippines has reached 109, 035, 343 based on the 2020 Census of Population and Housing (2020 CPH). Based on 2021 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study (YAFS5) of the University of the Philippines Population Institute (UPPI), the proportion of young women 15 to 19 years old who were pregnant sharply declined from 13.7% in 2013 to 6.8% in 2021. Despite the decline, Commission on Population and Development (Popcom) called for vigilance. This notable decline can be considered a result of the continuing and collective advocacies, as well as initiatives, of all stakeholders from the national down to the local levels according to the Commission on Population and Development OIC Executive Director Lolito Tacardon. The decline in teenage pregnancies can also be partially attributed to the decrease in premarital sex engagement, as well as improved use of contraceptives.

The population control using modern family planning measures aims to address poverty. Family Planning is having the desired number of children and when you want to have them by using safe and effective modern methods. Proper birth spacing is having children 3 to 5 years apart, which is best for the health of the mother, her child, and the family. Methods of contraception include oral contraceptive pills, implants, injectables, patches, vaginal rings, Intrauterine devices, condoms, male and female sterilization, lactational amenorrhea methods, withdrawal, and fertility awareness-based methods. These methods have different mechanisms of action and effectiveness in preventing unintended pregnancy. In the Philippines, the pill remains the most popular contraceptive method among married women, only 1.3 percent of women use a condom and less than 1 percent use Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) or male sterilization. These methods have different mechanisms of action and effectiveness in preventing unintended pregnancy.

There are a lot of options for birth control. But there are also some things that you should consider

before deciding which method of contraception is right for you. One of which is the.dual protection from the simultaneous risk for HIV and other STDs. Always remember, the only way to protect yourself against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is to use condom. Other methods such as hormonal contraceptives and IUDs are highly effective at preventing pregnancy, but they do not protect you against STDs, including HIV. Consistent and correct use of the male latex condom reduces the risk for HIV infection and other STDs, including chlamydial infection, gonococcal infection, and trichomoniasis.

Moreover, if you are planning to start a family soon, you can choose methods that can easily discontinue such as birth control pills or condoms. On the other hand, if you’re not planning having children anytime soon, long-lasting and reversible options, like an intrauterine device (IUD) implanted in your uterus or a birth control implant in your arm, may be more convenient and effective. These methods can last for several years before you have to replace them. If you are not planning to have kids at all, you may choose permanent forms of birth control. Men can have a vasectomy, a surgical procedure to cut or seal the tubes that carry a man's sperm to permanently prevent pregnancy. Some methods can have side effects. So it’s important to consult your doctor. Your doctor can explain which method would be safest for you and least likely to cause unwanted side effects based on your health and any conditions that run in your family.

ZDN DMO II Rowence F. Zorilla, RND

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