Birth control is a regimen of one or more extra actions, devices, or medications followed in order to deliberately prevent or reduce the likelihood of a woman becoming pregnant. Methods and intentions typically termed birth control may be considered a pivotal ingredient to family planning. Mechanisms which are intended to reduce the likelihood of the fertilization of an ovum by a spermatozoon may more specifically be referred to as contraception. Contraception differs from abortion in that the former prevents fertilization, whereas abortion terminates an already established pregnancy. Methods of birth control which may prevent the implantation of an embryo if fertilization occurs are controversially described by either term — see morning-after pill for a more complete discussion. A medication is a licenced drug taken to cure or reduce symptoms of an illness or medical condition. ... Image of a woman on the Pioneer plaque sent to outer space. ... A pregnant woman Pregnancy is the carrying of one or more embryos or foeti by female mammals, including humans, inside their bodies. ... Categories: Biology stubs ... A human ovum An ovum (loosely, egg or egg cell) is a female sex cell or gamete. ... A sperm cell, spermatozoon ( spermatozoa) (in Greek: sperma = semen and zoon = alive), or spermatozoan, is the haploid cell that is the male gamete. ... Emergency contraception or EC refers to any type of contraception that is taken after unprotected sexual intercourse or after sexual intercourse during which the primary contraception is believed to have failed (e. ...

Birth control is a controversial political and ethical issue in many cultures and religions, and although it is generally less controversial than abortion specifically, it is still opposed by many. There are various degrees of opposition, including those who oppose all forms of birth control short of sexual abstinence; those who oppose forms of birth control they deem "unnatural", while allowing natural family planning; and those who support most forms of birth control that prevent fertilization, but oppose any method of birth control which prevents a fertilized embryo from attaching to the uterus and initiating a pregnancy. Look up Politics in Wiktionary, the free dictionary Politics (disambiguation) Democracy History of democracy List of democracy and elections-related topics List of years in politics List of politics by country articles Political corruption Political economy Political movement Political parties of the world Political party Political psychology Political sociology Political... Ethics is the branch of axiology – one of the four major branches of philosophy, alongside metaphysics, epistemology, and logic – which attempts to understand the nature of morality; to define that which is right from that which is wrong. ... Look up Culture in Wiktionary, the free dictionary Wikinews has news related to this article: Culture and entertainment Dictionary of the History of Ideas: Cultural Development in Antiquity Dictionary of the History of Ideas: Culture and Civilization in Modern Times Classificatory system for cultures and civilizations, by Dr. Sam Vaknin... Sexual abstinence is the practice of voluntarily refraining from some or all aspects of sexual activity. ... Natural Family Planning (NFP) are methods which help women to achieve or avoid pregnancy by identifying times of infertility and potential fertility. ... Categories: Biology stubs ... Embryos (and one tadpole) of the wrinkled frog (Rana rugosa). ... Female internal reproductive anatomy The uterus or womb is the major female reproductive organ of most mammals, including humans. ...

History of birth control

A major factor in reducing birth rates in developing countries such as Malaysia is the availability of family planning facilities, like this one in Kuala Trengganu.

Probably the oldest methods of contraception are coitus interruptus, barrier methods, herbal abortifacients, and attempts to arrange intercourse to coincide with a woman's non-fertile times, colloquially known as the "rhythm method". While it seems as if the rhythm method would have been a good choice, scientists did not figure out the details of the human menstrual cycle until the early 20th century. Do to inconcistancies in the human body, this method is also very unreliable. Image File history File links Codrington, Stephen. ... Image File history File links Codrington, Stephen. ... A developing country is a country with low average income compared to the world average. ... Coitus interruptus, also commonly called Vatican roulette, the withdrawal method, the Hail Mary method, the natural method, pull and pray, belly shot, raw dog and bail, or pulling out is an unreliable method of contraception in which, during sexual intercourse, the man removes his penis from the womans vagina... An abortifacient is a substance that induces abortion. ... Natural family planning (NFP), sometimes described as periodic abstinence, is a form of birth control that involves recognizing the natural signs in a womans fertility. ... Menstrual cycle The menstrual cycle is the set of recurring physiological changes in a females body that are under the control of the reproductive hormone system and necessary for reproduction. ...

Coitus interruptus (withdrawal of the penis from the vagina prior to ejaculation) probably predates any other form of birth control. Once the relationship between the emission of semen into the vagina and pregnancy was known or suspected, some men probably managed to think through the haze of passion and withdraw in time. This is not a particularly reliable method of contraception, as the small amount of fluid secreted prior to ejaculation (pre-ejaculate or "Cowper's fluid") can still contain sperm (this is explained below). Coitus interruptus, also commonly called Vatican roulette, the withdrawal method, the Hail Mary method, the natural method, pull and pray, belly shot, raw dog and bail, or pulling out is an unreliable method of contraception in which, during sexual intercourse, the man removes his penis from the womans vagina... The penis (plural penises) or phallus (plural phalli) is the external male copulatory organ of some animals, and, in mammals, the external male organ of urination. ... Complete external female genital anatomy Human female internal reproductive anatomy. ... Illustration of the human male anatomy. ... Semen or sperm is a fluid that contains spermatozoa. ... In psychology and common terminology, emotion is the language of a persons internal state of being, normally based in or tied to their internal (physical) and external (social) sensory feeling. ... Pre-ejaculate (also known as pre-ejaculatory fluid or Cowpers fluid) is the clear lubricating fluid that is issued from a mans penis when he is aroused. ... Pre-ejaculate (also known as pre-ejaculatory fluid or Cowpers fluid) is the clear lubricating fluid that is issued from a mans penis when he is aroused. ...

Folklore has suggested douching immediately following intercourse as a contraceptive method, and while it seems like a sensible idea to try to wash the ejaculate out of the vagina, it does not work due to the nature of the fluids and the structure of the female reproductive tract — if anything, douching spreads semen further towards the uterus. Some slight spermicidal effect may occur if the douche solution is particularly acidic, but overall it is not scientifically observed to be a reliably effective method. Folklore is the ethnographic concept of the tales, legends, or superstitions current among a particular population, a part of the Oral tradition or oral history of a particular culture. ... A vaginal bulb syringe. ... Spermicides are substances that kill sperm. ...

The reason both withdrawal and douching are usually not very effective is that the male ejaculate typically consists of approximately 5ml (1 teaspoon) of fluid carrying in excess of 500,000,000 sperm, of which only one is needed to cause reproduction. Thus even a tiny amount of ejaculate can be more than enough.

Additionally, prior to ejaculation, a man typically releases small amounts of seminal fluid and sperm ("pre-ejaculate") as a result of becoming sexually aroused, during the erection, and while the penis is being stimulated by the vagina during sexual intercourse. It is theorized that pre-ejaculate is in part an attempt by the penis to assist in lubricating the vagina, and as an attempt to ameliorate the acidity of the female vagina and the male urethra (acidity caused by the usual use of the penis to excrete urine). These small amounts of pre-ejaculate can contain more than 30,000 sperm in each drop, and again, only one sperm is needed to cause impregnation. Urine is liquid waste excreted by the kidneys and eventually expelled from the body in a process known as urination. ... Categories: Biological reproduction | Biology stubs ...

There are historic records of Egyptian women using a pessary (a vaginal suppository) made of various acidic substances (crocodile dung is alleged) and lubricated with honey or oil, which may have been somewhat effective at killing sperm. However, it is important to note that the sperm cell was not discovered until Anton van Leeuwenhoek invented the microscope in the late 17th century, so barrier methods employed prior to that time could not know of the details of conception. Oriental women may have used oiled paper as a cervical cap, and Europeans may have used beeswax for this purpose. The condom appeared sometime in the 17th century, initially made of a length of animal intestine. It was not particularly popular, nor as effective as modern latex condoms, but was employed both as a means of contraception and in the hopes of avoiding syphilis, which was greatly feared and devastating prior to the discovery of antibiotic drugs. This article needs cleanup. ... Anton van Leeuwenhoek Anton van Leeuwenhoek (October 24, 1632 - August 30, 1723, full name Thonius Philips van Leeuwenhoek) was a tradesman and scientist from Delft, Netherlands. ... The cervical cap is a barrier method of contraception. ... A condom sealed in typical packaging A condom is a device, usually made of latex, that covers a mans penis during sexual intercourse to reduce the risk of pregnancy and/or sexually transmitted diseases (STD) such as gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV. Condoms are also often used to keep a... The LaTeX logo, typeset with LaTeX LATEX is a document preparation system for the TeX typesetting program. ... Depression-era U.S. poster advocating early syphilis treatment Syphilis (historically called lues) is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is caused by a spirochaete bacterium, Treponema pallidum. ... An antibiotic is a drug that kills or slows the growth of bacteria. ...

Various abortifacients have been used throughout human history, but are not considered by some to be birth control. Some of these were effective, some were not; those that were most effective also had major side effects. The ingestion of certain poisons by the female can disrupt the reproductive system; women have drunk solutions containing mercury, arsenic, or other toxic substances for this purpose. The Greek gynaecologist Soranus in the 2nd century AD suggested that women drink water that blacksmiths had used to cool metal. The herbs tansy and pennyroyal are well-known in folklore as abortive agents, but these also "work" by poisoning the woman. Levels of the active chemicals in these herbs that will induce a miscarriage are high enough to damage the liver, kidneys, and other organs, making them very dangerous. However, in those times where risk of maternal death from postpartum complications was high, the risks and side effects of toxic medicines may have seemed less onerous. It is also believed that black cohosh tea will also be effective in certain cases as an abortifacient. An abortifacient is a substance that induces abortion. ... General Name, Symbol, Number mercury, Hg, 80 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 12, 6, d Appearance silvery white Atomic mass 200. ... General Name, Symbol, Number arsenic, As, 33 Chemical series metalloids Group, Period, Block 15, 4, p Appearance metallic gray Atomic mass 74. ... The shamefulness associated with the examination of female genitalia has long inhibited the science of gynaecology. ... Soranus was a Sabine god later adopted by the Roman Empire. ... Species Including: Tanacetum bipinnatum Tanacetum camphoratum Tanacetum corymbosum Tanacetum douglasi Tanacetum horonense Tanacetum parthenium Tanacetum pathenium Tanacetum vulgare Common tansy, Tanacetum vulgare Tansy can refer to any species of the genus Tanacetum (Asteraceae), but more usually means Tanacetum vulgare, sometimes called common tansy or garden tansy, while the other Tanacetum... Binomial nomenclature Mentha pulegium L. This article is for the herb pennyroyal. ...

There are references in Arabic history to traders inserting a small stone into the uterus of a camel in order to prevent it from conceiving, a concept very similar to the modern IUD, but it seems unlikely that this was used as a contraceptive method for humans since knowledge of the female reproductive tract was very limited until the 20th century, and surgical techniques were poor. Prior to 1939, Gräfenberg's ring, a flexible ring of silver wire, was inserted into the uterus of a woman as a contraceptive. Female internal reproductive anatomy The uterus or womb is the major female reproductive organ of most mammals, including humans. ... An intrauterine device (intra meaning within, and uterine meaning of the uterus) is a birth control device also known as an IUD or a coil( this colloquialism is based on the coil-shaped design of early IUDs). ... 1939 was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... Gräfenbergs ring is a flexible ring of silver wire used as a birth control device. ...

Oral contraceptives did not appear until the mid-20th century, when scientists better understood the process of conception and advances in biochemistry allowed for the isolation (and later synthesis) of the hormones controlling the cycle. Oral contraceptives are contraceptives which are taken orally and inhibit the bodys fertility by chemical means. ... Biochemistry is the chemistry of life, a bridge between biology and chemistry that studies how complex chemical reactions give rise to life. ...

Traditional birth control methods

• celibacy, or sexual abstinence (some may consider these be more properly called alternatives to birth control)
• non-vaginal sex, such as
  • sex without penetration ("outercourse")
  • anal sex or oral sex
• withdrawal, i.e. coitus interruptus
• the rhythm method

Celibacy may refer either to being unmarried or to sexual abstinence. ... Sexual abstinence is the practice of voluntarily refraining from some or all aspects of sexual activity. ... Sex Human sexuality History of sex Sexual orientation Sex education Sexual slang List of sex positions List of sexology topics Men who have sex with men Homosexuality Queer Gay External links Human Sexuality: An Encyclopedia The International Encyclopedia of Sexuality Categories: ‪Human behavior‬ | ‪Human sexuality‬ | ‪Personal life‬ | ‪Self‬ | ‪Sexual health... Sexual penetration (as opposed to outercourse) typically involves the insertion of the penis into a bodily orifice. ... Outercourse is sexual activity that does not involve penetration. ... Roman men having anal sex. ... Oral sex consists of all the sexual activities that involve the use of the mouth, tongue, etc. ... Coitus interruptus, also commonly called Vatican roulette, the withdrawal method, the Hail Mary method, the natural method, pull and pray, belly shot, raw dog and bail, or pulling out is an unreliable method of contraception in which, during sexual intercourse, the man removes his penis from the womans vagina... Natural family planning (NFP), sometimes described as periodic abstinence, is a form of birth control that involves recognizing the natural signs in a womans fertility. ...

Modern birth control methods

Three colored condoms

• Barrier methods, often combined with a spermicides
  • Condom
  • Female condom
  • Diaphragm: conventional Diaphragm and one-size-fits all version Lea's shield
  • Cervical cap
  • Contraceptive sponge

• Chemical methods
  • Combined estrogen & progesterone:
    • Combined oral contraceptive pill ("The Pill") and in high single doses as Emergency contraceptive pill
    • Contraceptive patch
  • Progesterone used alone:
    • Progesterone only pill also used as high single dose Emergency contraceptive pill
    • Depo Provera
    • implants (such as Norplant)
  • Male oral contraceptive pill

• Intrauterine methods
  • Intrauterine Device ("IUD") which may also be used for Emergency contraception
  • IntraUterine System ("IUS")

• Fertility Awareness Methods aka Natural family planning
  • basal body temperature
  • Billings ovulation method
  • sympto-thermal
  • cervical mucus method
  • lactational amenorrhea method

• Abortion methods (not considered by some to be birth control, since pregnancy occurs)
  • Surgical abortion
  • Chemical abortion
  • Herbal abortifacients

• Surgical sterilization
  • tubal ligation for women
  • vasectomy for men

Condoms and herbal birth control methods existed before the modern era. The herbal methods were of various degrees of efficacy, and were available in China and Europe. Download high resolution version (1024x766, 58 KB)Three colored condoms Caption: Party Hats by Morrhigan: Three brightly colored condoms. ... Download high resolution version (1024x766, 58 KB)Three colored condoms Caption: Party Hats by Morrhigan: Three brightly colored condoms. ... Spermicides are substances that kill sperm. ... A condom sealed in typical packaging A condom is a device, usually made of latex, that covers a mans penis during sexual intercourse to reduce the risk of pregnancy and/or sexually transmitted diseases (STD) such as gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV. Condoms are also often used to keep a... A standard latex condom still rolled up This article is about the contraceptive device. ... The diaphragm is a barrier method of contraception: a small rubber dome filled with a spermicidal (sperm killing) cream and placed in the vagina to wall off the cervix, the opening to the uterus, thus preventing sperm from entering. ... Leas Shield (Canda Brand, in US: Lea Contraceptive, in Europe: LEA contraceptivum) is a female barrier method of contraception. ... The cervical cap is a barrier method of contraception. ... The contraceptive sponge, marketed in the U.S. under the brand Today, combines barrier and spermicidal techniques to prevent conception. ... Oral contraceptives are contraceptives which are taken orally and inhibit the bodys fertility by chemical means. ... Emergency contraception or EC refers to any type of contraception that is taken after unprotected sexual intercourse or after sexual intercourse during which the primary contraception is believed to have failed (e. ... A contraceptive patch is a transdermal patch applied to the skin that releases synthetic estrogen and progestin hormones to prevent pregnancy. ... Progesterone Only Pill (POP) are contraceptive pills that only contain progesterone (or, as used in the USA, the term Progestin for synthetic progesterones). ... Emergency contraception or EC refers to any type of contraception that is taken after unprotected sexual intercourse or after sexual intercourse during which the primary contraception is believed to have failed (e. ... Depo Provera Contraceptive Injection (medroxyprogesterone acetate) is the U.S. brand name of a birth control product manufactured by Pfizer Inc. ... Implants (from Latin in-, in ; and Latin plantre, to plant) are artificial devices which made to replace and act as a missing biological structure. ... Norplant is a form of birth control released in 1991 by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, consisting of a set of six small, silicone capsules filled with levonorgestrel, a synthetic progestin used in many birth control pills. ... The Male pill is a colloquial term for a male oral contraceptive. ... An intrauterine device (intra meaning within, and uterine meaning of the uterus) is a birth control device also known as an IUD or a coil (this colloquialism is based on the coil-shaped design of early IUDs). ... Emergency contraception or EC also known as Emergency Birth Control or EBC refers to any type of contraception that is taken after sexual intercourse without contraception, or otherwise where such contraception is believed to have failed (e. ... The IntraUterine System or IUS is an IntraUterine Device (IUD or coil) that has a coating of levonorgestrel (a progesterone) on its shaft, rather than the traditional copper wire. ... Fertility Awareness (FA) is the practice of observing one or more of a woman’s primary fertility signs to determine the fertile and infertile phases of her cycle. ... Natural Family Planning (NFP) are methods which help women to achieve or avoid pregnancy by identifying times of infertility and potential fertility. ... Ovulation is the process in the menstrual cycle by which a mature ovarian follicle ruptures and discharges an ovum (also known as an oocyte, female gamete, or casually, an egg) that participates in reproduction. ... Natural family planning (NFP), sometimes described as periodic abstinence, is a form of birth control that involves recognizing the natural signs in a womans fertility. ... Natural family planning (NFP), sometimes described as periodic abstinence, is a form of birth control that involves recognizing the natural signs in a womans fertility. ... Natural family planning (NFP), sometimes described as periodic abstinence, is a form of birth control that involves recognizing the natural signs in a womans fertility. ... An abortion is the termination of a pregnancy associated with the death of an embryo or a fetus. ... A chemical abortion is a type of abortion in which a drug is used to induce the abortion, rather than a surgical procedure. ... An abortifacient is a substance that induces abortion. ... Sterilization is a surgical technique leaving a male or female unable to procreate. ... For the process of removing or killing all microorganisms from an object, see Sterilization (microbiology). ... For the process of removing or killing all microorganisms from an object, see Sterilization (microbiology). ...

Religious and cultural attitudes toward birth control

Protestant Christianity

Christianity in general has had mixed opinions towards contraception and its role in society in recent years. Prior to the 1930s, contraception was generally condemned by all the major branches of Christianity, including by major reformers like Luther and Calvin. This condemnation was relaxed by the Anglican Communion at the 1930 Lambeth Conference, and most Protestant groups followed suit over the course of the 20th century, though some individual Protestants adhere to the traditional view that contraception is wrong. The Anglican Communion uses the compass rose as its symbol, signifying its worldwide reach and decentralized nature. ...

"The Church of England does not regard contraception as a sin or a contravention of God's purpose." — Church of England, Science, Medicine, Technology and the Environment (2005) [1]

"Sex is a powerful drive, and for most of human history it was firmly linked to marriage and childbearing. Only relatively recently has the act of sex commonly been divorced from marriage and procreation. Modern contraceptive inventions have given many an exaggerated sense of safety and prompted more people than ever before to move sexual expression outside the marriage boundary." — Focus on the Family, Abstinence Policy (2005) [2]

Among Protestant Christianity, the sizeable ELCA, which includes a large number of US Lutheran churches, makes the following statement: The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and acts as the mother and senior branch of the worldwide Anglican Communion as well as a founding member of the Porvoo Communion. ... Focus on the Family (FOTF or FotF), founded in 1977, is a evangelical Christian 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in the United States. ... Protestantism is a movement within Christianity, representing a split from within the Roman Catholic Church during the mid-to-late Renaissance in Europe —a period known as the Protestant Reformation. ... The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America or ELCA is a mainline Protestant denomination headquarted in Chicago, Illinois. ... ... Lutheranism is a Christian tradition committed to the main theological insights of Martin Luther. ...

When [having children] is not their intention, the responsible use of safe, effective contraceptives is expected of the male and the female. Respect and sensitivity should also be shown toward couples who do not feel called to conceive and/or rear children, or who are unable to do so.

This is a fairly overt acceptance of modern contraceptives. The other major Lutheran and Presbyterian associations, as well as other Protestant groups in general, may take other positions. Presbyterianism is a form of church government, practiced by many (although not all) of those Protestant churches (known as Reformed churches), which historically subscribed to the teachings of John Calvin. ... Protestantism is a general grouping of denominations within Christianity. ...

Since the 1980s, a Protestant, evangelical movement known as Quiverfull has arisen which advocates having large families and not using birth control.

Catholic Christianity

Like pre-1930s Protestantism, the Catholic Church has been morally opposed to contraception and orgasmic acts outside of the context of fully natural marital intercourse as far back as one can historically trace. For instance, the 2nd century Epistle of Barnabas takes it for granted that oral sex is immoral. The Epistle of Barnabas is a Greek treatise with some features of an epistle containing twenty-one chapters, preserved complete in the 4th century Codex Sinaiticus where it appears at the end of the New Testament. ... Oral sex consists of all the sexual activities that involve the use of the mouth, tongue, etc. ...

The official position of the Catholic Church regarding birth control is expressed very clearly in Pope Pius XI's 1930 encyclical entitled Casti Connubii. It was written in response to the Anglican (then-recent) approval of artificial means of contraception when used in cases of grave necessity. This article considers Catholicism in the broadest ecclesiastical sense. ... Pope Pius XI, born Ambrogio Damiano Achille Ratti (May 31, 1857 – February 10, 1939), reigned as Pope from February 6, 1922 and sovereign of Vatican City from 1929 until February 10, 1939. ... 1930 (MCMXXX) is a common year starting on Wednesday. ... Casti Connubii was a papal encyclical promulgated by Pope Pius XI in 1930. ...

Since, therefore, openly departing from the uninterrupted Christian tradition some recently have judged it possible solemnly to declare another doctrine regarding this question, the Catholic Church, ... in order that she may preserve the chastity of the nuptial union from being defiled by this foul stain, ... proclaims anew: any use whatsoever of matrimony exercised in such a way that the act is deliberately frustrated in its natural power to generate life is an offense against the law of God and of nature, and those who indulge in such are branded with the guilt of a grave sin.

In 1968 Pope Paul VI released an encyclical titled Humanae Vitae, which again forbade chemical and barrier methods but suggested natural methods such as the rhythm method or natural family planning might be considered in cases of necessity, a suggestion some see implicit in Casti Connubii as well. These methods are known as "periodic abstinence" and are argued to be morally different from positively modifying the couple's fertility, since the modus operandi is abstinence, albeit not all the time. Pope Paul VI (Latin: ), born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini (September 26, 1897 – August 6, 1978), reigned as Pope and as sovereign of Vatican City from 1963 to 1978. ... Humanae Vitae (Latin of human life, but typically translated as On the Regulation of Human Birth) is an encyclical written by Pope Paul VI and promulgated on July 25, 1968. ... Casti Connubii was a papal encyclical promulgated by Pope Pius XI in 1930. ...

"The Church, nevertheless, in urging men to the observance of the precepts of the natural law, which it interprets by its constant doctrine, teaches that each and every marital act must of necessity retain its intrinsic relationship to the procreation of human life." — Pope Paul VI, Humanae Vitae (1968) [3]

Couples seeking marriage in the Catholic Church are in most dioceses required to undergo counseling by a Catholic priest. In the past priests led couples seeking to delay children to rhythm, today they are instructed to point new couples toward the more effective methods of natural family planning. Natural Family Planning (NFP) are methods which help women to achieve or avoid pregnancy by identifying times of infertility and potential fertility. ...

The Church has repeatedly stated its position that condoms are not adequate prevention for sexually transmitted diseases like AIDS, claiming that they are expensive, fallible and liable to provide a false sense of security. Instead the Church argues for sexual abstinence and faithful marital relationships.

Roman Catholic opposition to birth control has been criticized as adding to poverty, destitution and overpopulation. Others argue that their refusal to allow missionaries to discuss condoms in Africa has exacerbated the AIDS epidemic there. Overpopulation indicates a scenario in which the population of a living species exceeds the carrying capacity of its ecological niche. ... A missionary is a propagator of religion, often an evangelist or other representative of a religious community who works among those outside of that community. ... The Red Ribbon is the global symbol for solidarity with HIV-positive people and those living with AIDS. AIDS is an acronym for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and is defined as a collection of symptoms and infections resulting from the depletion of the immune system caused...

In response, the Church notes that there is more than enough food and other resources on the planet for everyone, and that there is no correlation between population density and wealth or poverty. Some of the richest countries in the world have the densest populations, and vice versa. Supporters of birth control argue that economic growth which allows for a high population density without poverty is a direct function of the availability of birth control, as it leads to smaller families who can support themselves and provide their children with education. However, in the USA, for example, births outside of wedlock have dramatically increased since contraception was legalized.

While many people in third world countries regard children as their only defense against destitution by serving as providers and support for the extended family, supporters of birth control argue that the dependency on child labor is a vicious cycle. A higher availability of children as labor theoretically pushes down wages; more children require more food, which in turn requires the employment of children to bring in the food.

In addition to the argument from the essentially unanimous pre-20th century Christian tradition prohibition contraception, Catholic philosophers have proposed three types of philosophical arguments. These arguments are not official Church teaching, but attempts to give a philosophical argument for what might also be accepted on faith.

St. Thomas Aquinas claimed that it was wrong to perform a positive act that deliberately frustrates the primary purpose of a human organ. According to his theory, if the sexual organs have reproduction as their primary purpose, then it follows that contraception is wrong. Opponents of this argument claim that frustration of the primary purpose of an organ is not necessarily wrong (see blindfold or earplug or handcuff) and that the sexual organs have interpersonal union as a co-primary purpose. Thomas Aquinas [Thomas of Aquin, or Aquino] (c. ... A blindfold is a strip of cloth used to cover the eyes, rendering the user effectively (but temporarily) blind. ... An earplug is a protective device that is meant to be inserted in the earcanal to protect the wearers hearing from loud noises or the intrusion of water. ... A pair of metal double-locking police handcuffs A woman cuffed with handcuffs and thumbcuffs Handcuffs are devices to secure two wrists close together. ...

As a defense of the teaching of Humanae Vitae, Catholic thinkers John Finnis and Germain Grisez gave a new argument. They considered what it is that is wrong about killing people, and concluded that what is wrong about murder is that one is acting directly and positively against the value of human life. Since birth control when it is done by a positive act such as swallowing a pill or putting on a condom (but not when it is "done" in a negative way, i.e., through abstinence), is directly aimed at preventing the formation of life, it is an act directly and positively against the value of human life, and hence wrong. The Finnis and Grisez argument appears to have the consequence that use of non-abortifacient contraception in cases of danger of rape is also wrong when done to prevent conception. However the Catholic Church has no official teaching on the morality of using non-abortifacient contraception (limited to use of condoms or other barrier methods or spermicides) by those being raped. Because the Church teaches that a human life is to be respected from the very moment of conception, any form of contraception known to have the possible effect of destroying a human zygote, embryo or fetus (the pill, IUD, Norplant, or morning after pill, etc.) is considered immoral. Humanae Vitae (Latin of human life, but typically translated as On the Regulation of Human Birth) is an encyclical written by Pope Paul VI and promulgated on July 25, 1968. ...

Finally, a number of thinkers of the "personalist school", most notably Karol Cardinal Wojtyła, who was to become Pope John Paul II, argued that contraception is contrary to the interpersonal union that sexual intercourse should cement. The most popular form of this argument asserts that sexual union should involve total mutual bodily self-giving if it is not to be a form of self-deceit. Contraception holds back something significant, namely fertility, and hence is argued to be objectively anti-unitive, even if the couple subjectively feels united (that something is held back is clearest in the case of barrier methods, but it is argued that other methods still involve holding something back from giving). But to act anti-unitively is, it is argued, to act against marital love, and this is wrong. Pope John Paul II (Latin: ), born Karol Józef WojtyÅ‚a (May 18, 1920 – April 2, 2005) reigned as pope of the Catholic Church for almost 27 years, from 16 October 1978, making his the second-longest pontificate (or the third-longest, as enumerated by Roman Catholic tradition). ...

A variant version of this argument states that non-contracepted intercourse makes the couple a biological unit. What makes them a biological unit is that their organs are working together, biologically striving for reproduction, even if the intercourse is at a time when reproduction is biologically impossible. But to deliberately and positively act to make reproduction impossible is to set one's will directly against the activity of the organs that are putatively uniting the couple, and hence against the union of the two persons. Some Catholic thinkers have also employed versions of this biological unit account of intercourse to argue against orgasmic homosexual activity.

Islam

The Qur'an does not make any explicit statements about the morality of contraception, but contains statements encouraging procreation. Various interpretations have been set forth over time, and at the time of this writing, discussions on the web can be found easily that take various positions. Early Muslim literature discusses various contraceptive methods, and a study sponsored by the Egyptian government concluded that not only was azl (coitus interruptus) acceptable from a moral standpoint, but any similar method that did not produce sterility was also acceptable. The Quran (Arabic: al-qurān literally the recitation; also called Al Qurān Al Karīm or The Noble Quran; or transliterated Quran, Koran, and less commonly Alcoran) is the holy book of Islam. ... Graphic representation of the world wide web around Wikipedia The World Wide Web (WWW, or simply Web) is an information space in which the items of interest, referred to as resources, are identified by global identifiers called Uniform Resource Identifiers (URI). ... A Muslim (Arabic: مسلم) is an adherent of Islam. ... National anthem: Bilady, Bilady, Bilady Official language Arabic Other widely spoken languages English, French Capital and Largest City Cairo President Hosni Mubarak Prime Minister Dr Ahmed Nazif Area - Total - % water Ranked 29th 1,001,450 km² 0. ... Sterility is the quality or state of being unable to reproduce. ...

"It is permissible to use condoms so long as this does not cause any harm and so long as both husband and wife consent to their use, because this is similar to ‘azl (coitus interruptus or “withdrawal”). But it reduces the sensation of pleasure, which is the right of both partners, and reduces the chance of conception, which is also the right of both partners. Neither one of them is allowed to deprive the other of these rights. And Allaah is the course of strength." - islamic-paths.org, Sex and Sexuality in Islam - Condoms (2005) [4]

However, there are several schools of thought on this as well as other issues concerning Islamic morality. In Iran, an Islamic country, contraceptive methods are not only taught to married couples, but also encouraged to youngsters through posters and advertisements. Morality, in the strictest sense of the word, deals with that which is innately regarded as right or wrong. ...

Judaism

The Jewish view on birth control currently varies between the Orthodox, Conservatve, and Reform branches of Judaism. Among Orthodox Judaism, use of birth control has been considered only acceptable for use in limited circumstances. Conservatives, while generally encouraging its members to follow the traditional Jewish views on birth control has been more willing to allow greater acceptations regarding its use to fit better within modern society. Reform Judaism has generally been the most liberal with regard to birth control allowing individual followers to use their own judgment in what, if any birth control methods they might wish to employ. Orthodox Judaism is the stream of Judaism which adheres to a relatively strict interpretation and application of the laws and ethics first canonized in the Talmud (The Oral Law) and later codified in the Shulkhan Arukh (Code of Jewish Law). It is governed by these works and all the Rabbinical... Conservative Judaism (or Masorti Judaism) is a denomination of Judaism characterized by: A positive attitude toward modern culture The belief that traditional rabbinic modes of study, and modern scholarship and critical text study, are both valid ways to learn about and from Jewish religious texts. ... Reform Judaism can refer to (1) the largest denomination of Judaism in America and its sibling movements in other countries, (2) a branch of Judaism in the United Kingdom, and (3) the historical predecessor of the American movement that originated in 19th Century Germany. ...

Among traditional interpretations of the Torah, active prevention of pregnancy is in violation of the commandment "be fruitful and multiply" (Genesis 1:22). Some Rabbinic authorities further consider the possibility (generally not accepted) that a union that by definition cannot lead to pregnancy would amount to "spilling seed", the sin of Onan (Genesis 38:9). Torah (תורה) is a Hebrew word meaning teaching, instruction, or law. ... A pregnant woman Pregnancy is the carrying of one or more embryos or foeti by female mammals, including humans, inside their bodies. ... Genesis (Greek: Γένεσις, having the meanings of birth, creation, cause, beginning, source and origin), also called The First Book of Moses, is the first book of Torah (five books of Moses), and is the first book of the Tanakh, part of the Hebrew Bible; it is also the first book of... Rabbi (Classical Hebrew רִבִּי ribbī;; modern Ashkenazi and Israeli רַבִּי rabbī) in Judaism, means teacher, or more literally great one. The word Rabbi is derived from the Hebrew root-word RaV, which in biblical Hebrew means great or distinguished,. In the ancient Judean schools the sages were addressed as רִבִּי (Ribbi or Rebbi... A pregnant woman Pregnancy is the carrying of one or more embryos or foeti by female mammals, including humans, inside their bodies. ... Onan (אוֹנָן Strong, Standard Hebrew Onan, Tiberian Hebrew ʾÔnān) is a person described in the Bible (book of Genesis). ... Genesis (Greek: Γένεσις, having the meanings of birth, creation, cause, beginning, source and origin), also called The First Book of Moses, is the first book of Torah (five books of Moses), and is the first book of the Tanakh, part of the Hebrew Bible; it is also the first book of...

The option of contraception is raised by the Talmud (tractate Yevamot 12b), where the use of a pessary is discussed for women who are too young to get pregnant, presently pregnant, or nursing. In each case either the woman or her child is at risk for serious complications, and this is the basis for many rabbinic authorities permitting contraception in situations where pregnancy would seriously harm the woman. In those cases, the most "natural" method is preferred; as the use of a condom or pessary creates a physical barrier, "the pill" (or an intrauterine device) is preferred by most authorities. The Talmud (תלמוד) is considered an authoritative record of rabbinic discussions on Jewish law, Jewish ethics, customs, legends and stories. ... This article needs cleanup. ... Rabbinic literature, in the broadest sense, can mean the entire spectrum of Judaisms rabbinic writing/s throughout history. ... A condom sealed in typical packaging A condom is a device, usually made of latex, that covers a mans penis during sexual intercourse to reduce the risk of pregnancy and/or sexually transmitted diseases (STD) such as gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV. Condoms are also often used to keep a... This article needs cleanup. ... Oral contraceptives are chemicals taken by mouth to inhibit normal fertility. ... An intrauterine device (intra meaning within, and uterine meaning of the uterus) is a birth control device also known as an IUD or a coil (this colloquialism is based on the coil-shaped design of early IUDs). ...

Contraceptive measures that lead to sterility, especially male sterility (e.g. through vasectomy), are problematic, and a sterilized man may have to separate from his wife (based on Deuteronomy 23:2). Sterility is the quality or state of being unable to reproduce. ... For the process of removing or killing all microorganisms from an object, see Sterilization (microbiology). ... Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Hebrew Bible. ...

Such regulations regarding contraception affect the traditional streams of Judaism (including, but not limited to the Ultra-Orthodox and Modern-Orthodox sects) more so than others because of their strict adherence to Halakhah, or Jewish law. These regulations affect liberal strains of Judaism (including, but not limited to, the Reform, Reconstructionist, and Conservative movements; particularly in Western society) much less, where the emphasis is on applying Halakhah to modern life rather than observing it strictly. Many modern Jews feel that the benefits of contraception, be they female health, family stability, or disease prevention, uphold the commandment in Judaism to "choose life" much more strongly than they violate the commandment to "be fruitful and multiply".

When Orthodox Jewish couples contemplate the use of contraceptives, they generally consult a rabbi who evaluates the need for the intervention and which method is preferable from a halachic point of view. Orthodox Judaism is the stream of Judaism which adheres to a relatively strict interpretation and application of the laws and ethics first canonized in the Talmud (The Oral Law) and later codified in the Shulkhan Arukh (Code of Jewish Law). It is governed by these works and all the Rabbinical... Rabbi (Classical Hebrew רִבִּי ribbī;; modern Ashkenazi and Israeli רַבִּי rabbī) in Judaism, means teacher, or more literally great one. The word Rabbi is derived from the Hebrew root-word RaV, which in biblical Hebrew means great or distinguished,. In the ancient Judean schools the sages were addressed as רִבִּי (Ribbi or Rebbi... Halakha (Hebrew: הלכה; also transliterated as Halakhah, Halacha, Halachah) is the collective corpus of Jewish rabbinic law, custom and tradition. ...

Generally, the introduction of oral contraceptives has not caused the stir in Jewish circles that it caused in other religious groups. It was followed by a number of responsa from rabbinic decisors (poskim) which outlined the proper approach to the new phenomenon. There has been surprisingly little talk of the potential risk of increased promiscuity (z'nut). For example, an innovative use of the contraceptive pill in Judaism is employed by young brides. The laws of family purity state that intercourse cannot take place while a woman is menstruating (see niddah). In order to decrease the chance of menstruation occurring just before (or on) the wedding night, many brides briefly regulate their periods in the months leading up to their wedding. Oral contraceptives are chemicals taken by mouth to inhibit normal fertility. ... Judaism is the religion of the Jewish people. ... Note: This is based on an entry from the 1906 public domain Jewish Encyclopedia The responsa literature, known in Hebrew as Sheelot U-teshuvot (questions and answers), is the body of written decisions and rulings given by rabbis to questions addressed to them. ... Posek (Hebrew פוסק; pl. ... Promiscuity is the practice of making relatively unselective, casual and indiscriminate choices. ... Oral contraceptives are contraceptives which are taken orally and inhibit the bodys fertility by chemical means. ... Judaism is the religion of the Jewish people. ... In Judaism, niddah (or nidah, nidda, nida; Hebrew) is technically a state of minor exclusion when a woman is menstruating and for about a week later until she immerses in a ritual bath known as a mikvah. ... Niddah (or nidah, nidda, nida; Hebrew), in Judaism, is technically a state of minor exclusion when a woman is menstruating and for about a week later until she immerses in a ritual bath known as a mikvah. ... The menstrual cycle is the periodic change in a womans body that occurs every month between puberty and menopause and that relates to reproduction. ... Nubian wedding with some international modern touches, near Aswan, Egypt A wedding is a civil or religious ceremony at which the beginning of a marriage is celebrated. ...

References

• Riddle, John M. (1999). Eve's Herbs: A History of Contraception and Abortion in the West. Harvard MA: Harvard University Press. ISBN 0674270266 (An encyclopedic historical study of uses of contraceptive and abortifacient herbs from the ancient world to the modern era by a leading expert on ancient Greek pharmacology.)

External links

• G. E. M. Anscombe: Contraception and Chastity
• Contraception Resource Center from the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals.
• A Guide to Condoms and birth control methods.
• "The Contraception Museum" (The History of Contraception Museum, Cleveland, Ohio, US.)
• Descriptions of various birth control options.
• Vatican in HIV condom row