Access to safe, voluntary family planning is a human right. Family planning is central to gender equality and women’s empowerment, and it is a key factor in reducing poverty. World Statistics show that between 2000 and 2020, the number of women using a modern contraceptive method increased from 663 million to 851 million. An additional 70 million women are projected to be added by 2030. Between 2000 and 2020, the contraceptive prevalence rate (percentage of women aged 15–49 who use any contraceptive method) increased from 47.7 to 49.0% (5). The proportion of women of reproductive age (aged 15–49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods (SDG indicator 3.7.1) is 77.5% globally in 2022, a 10% increase since 1990 (67%) (2)
In Bangladesh the contraceptive prevalence rate is 62% among currently married women aged 15–49. Among them, 52% of women use modern contraceptive methods, and 10% use traditional methods. Oral pill is the most used method (25%). 12% of currently married women in Bangladesh have an unmet need for family planning. Use of modern contraceptives is highest in Rangpur division (59%) and lowest in Chattogram and Sylhet divisions (45% each). contraceptive usage is higher among urban couples than among rural couples (65% versus 60%). Half (49%) of modern contraceptive users obtained their method from a private sector like pharmacies, 44% from the public sector, 5% from a nongovernmental organization (NGO), and 1% from another source.
But it is a matter of sorrow that yet in most of the developing regions like Bangladesh, an estimated 257 million women who want to avoid pregnancy are not using safe and effective family planning methods, for reasons ranging from lack of access to information or services to lack of support from their partners or communities. This threatens their ability to build a better future for themselves, their families, and their communities.
UN organization like WHO, UNFPA etc. works to support family planning by ensuring a steady, reliable supply quality contraceptive; strengthening national health systems; advocating for policies supportive of family planning; and gathering data to support this work. WHO’s target is achieving universal access, and the realization of sexual and reproductive health services will be essential to fulfil the pledge of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development that “no one will be left behind”. It will require intensified support for contraceptive services, including through the implementation of effective government policies and program. UNFPA also provides global leadership in increasing access to family planning, by convening partners – including governments – to develop evidence and policies, and by offering programmatic, technical, and financial assistance to developing countries.
What is family Planning?
Family planning is important to avoid unwanted pregnancy and to have desire children at desire time. It is a wide-reaching topic that involves taking steps to control when a pregnancy occurs. And also it can refer to both fertility treatments for couples trying to have children and contraceptive methods to prevent pregnancy.
Why is family Planning important?
Family planning is important for both unwanted and wanted or planned pregnancy. If you are not willing to have child, then there are several types of contraceptive methods for you along with contraceptive pills and condoms.
On the other hand, if you are trying to conceive then you need to consult with a fertility specialist in case you may fail to be pregnant. Fertility not only come from female partner, but also male partner plays an important role in fertility. Both may be infertile and may need assistance in getting pregnant and family planning plays a crucial role in this context.
What are the family planning services?
Family planning to avoid unwanted pregnancy largely involves contraceptive methods, such as condoms or similar barrier devices, the contraceptive pill, or, again, using the natural family planning method to determine when the woman is ovulating and avoid having sex at that time. For avoiding unwanted pregnancy, you may take anyone from the following services. Lot of services are seen for contraceptive methods.
Some of these are for long-acting, some of these are for short-acting and another one is barrier method. Oral Contraceptive Pill (OCP), Progesterone Only Pill (POP), Injectable Depo Provera (DEPO) etc. method can be used for short acting. Implanon, Intra Uterine Devise (IUD) etc. can be used for long acting. The most common and easy way is using a condom as barrier. Despite those you can also use anyone of the following methods based on your willingness and health condition. Like
- The Shot (Hormonal)
- The Vaginal Ring (Hormonal)
- Patch (Hormonal)
- Emergency Contraception (Hormonal & Non-hormonal)
- Spermicide & Gel
- Fertility Awareness/ Natural Family Planning (Non-hormonal)
- Withdrawal/Pull-out Method (Non-hormonal)
Oral Contraceptive Pill (OCP):
Oral contraceptives (OCs) are steroid hormones that inhibit the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) by the hypothalamus, thus inhibiting the release of the pituitary hormones that stimulate ovulation. OCs also affect the lining of the uterus, decreasing the likelihood of implantation of an embryo, and cause the cervical mucus to thicken, making it impervious to sperm. If used consistently and correctly, OCs are an effective form of contraception.
Progesterone Only Pill (POP)
The progestogen-only pill, also known as a POP or the mini pill, is a common form of contraception for women. The progestogen-only pill contains a synthetic version of the hormone progesterone, and, unlike many other forms of hormonal contraception, it doesn’t contain any Estrogen.
Injectable Depo Provera (DEPO)
Depo-Provera is a well-known brand name for medroxyprogesterone acetate, a contraceptive injection that contains the hormone progestin. Depo-Provera is given as an injection every three months. Depo-Provera typically suppresses ovulation, keeping your ovaries from releasing an egg. It also thickens cervical mucus to keep sperm from reaching the egg.
Implant
The contraceptive implant (Nexplanon) is a small flexible plastic rod that's placed under the skin in your upper arm by a doctor or nurse. It releases the hormone progestogen into your bloodstream to prevent pregnancy and lasts for 3 years.
Intra Uterine Devise (IUD)
The IUD is a small, T-shaped device that is placed in a woman’s womb and provides contraceptive protection for up to ten years. The IUD is a long-acting, reversible method of contraception (LARC). Long-acting methods of contraception all have the advantage that, once in place, you don’t need to think about them until they need replacing and none of them interrupt sex. An IUD can only be made available to those who have at least one child. If you do not have any children, please consider one of the many other types of contraception we offer.
The (Shot)
An injection given by a medical professional of the hormone progestin in the arm or hip that lasts three months and prevents pregnancy 96% of the time. Less than 1 out of 100 women will get pregnant each year if they always use the shot as directed. The shot, also known as Depo-Provera, stops the ovaries from releasing eggs and thickens the cervical mucus, so it is difficult for sperm to enter the uterus.
The Vaginal Ring (Hormonal)
A flexible ring that is inserted into the vagina each month that prevents pregnancy 93% of the time. Less than 1 out of 100 women will get pregnant each year if they always use the ring as directed. The vaginal ring releases hormones that stop the ovaries from releasing eggs and thickens cervical mucus, so it is difficult for sperm to enter the uterus. Learn more about the pros, cons and side effects of the ring.
Patch (Hormonal)
The patch is applied (like a sticker) weekly to approved areas of skin and prevents pregnancy 93% of the time. Less than 1 out of 100 women will get pregnant each year if they always use the patch as directed. The patch releases hormones that stop the ovaries from releasing eggs, and it thickens cervical mucus, so it is difficult for sperm to enter the uterus.
The Pill (Hormonal)
A pill that should be taken at the same time every day for maximum effectiveness, which is often used to reduce cramping and bleeding during periods and that prevents pregnancy 93% of the time. Less than 1 out of 100 women will get pregnant each year if they take the pill each day as directed. The pill releases hormones (progestin-only or a combination of hormones) to stop the ovaries from releasing eggs and thickens cervical mucus, so it is difficult for sperm to enter the uterus.
Condoms (Non-Hormonal)
Available in latex or polyurethane, condoms, which prevent pregnancy 87% of the time when used correctly, are placed over an erect penis to stop sperm from entering the vagina during ejaculation.
2 out of 100 women whose partners use condoms will get pregnant if they always use condoms correctly.
Internal/female condoms are inserted into the vagina and prevent pregnancy 79% of the time. This means that 5 out of 100 women will become pregnant if the insertive condom is always used correctly.
Not only are condoms arguably one of the most affordable, accessible forms of birth control, but they also protect against STDs.
Emergency Contraception (Hormonal & Non-hormonal)
Emergency contraception can be used up to five days after unprotected sex. It can come in the form of a pill or IUD, which have varying degrees of effectiveness. Emergency contraception prevents pregnancy from occurring by preventing ovulation and thickening cervical mucus, but it does NOT cause an abortion.
Spermicide & Gel
Made with sperm-killing chemicals, spermicides such as foams, suppositories or film (used separately, not in combination) prevent pregnancy 79-86% of the time. 18 out of 100 women will get pregnant each year if they always use the spermicide as directed. Placed inside the vagina shortly before sex, spermicides block the cervix and keep sperm from joining with an egg.
Fertility Awareness/ Natural Family Planning (Non-hormonal)
Natural family planning involves a woman tracking her monthly cycle from her period through ovulation to determine when she is most and least likely to get pregnant. When used correctly, this method prevents pregnancy 77-98% of the time. 24 out of 100 women who use natural family planning will have a pregnancy if they use the method correctly.
Withdrawal/Pull-out Method (Non-hormonal)
Withdrawal prevents pregnancy 78% of the time by pulling the penis out of the vagina before ejaculation. 27 out of 100 women whose partners use withdrawal will become pregnant each year, even if used correctly. Remember, there is always a chance of pregnancy if sperm is introduced to the vagina.
Bangladesh's commitment to family planning
By the end of 2030, Bangladesh aspires to be a country where everyone (particularly women and girls) leads healthy lives with equitable and inclusive access to and utilization of rights-based family planning services towards attaining sustainable development goals. For this Government ensure all facilities of family planning are available In Upazila and Zila Sadar hospitals even in community clinic in the rural or remote area. Bangladesh has made significant progress in improving maternal and child health, reducing maternal and infant mortality rates, and increasing contraceptive prevalence rates.
The country has also been recognized for its success in reducing population growth and achieving demographic transition. Bangladesh is adherence to the following commitment for ensuring healthy lives for all (Particularly woman and girls) mention in the follow-
Update, adapt, and implement policy framework regulations, accountability, and compliance to improve sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), including family planning through an integrated, multi-sectoral, and human right-based approach targeting leaving no one behind (LNOB) across the development and humanitarian continuum.
Improve availability, accessibility, and utilization of modern contraceptives with a special focus on adolescents, postpartum, and post-abortion care users, to reduce high discontinuation rates and unmet need for family planning in public and private facilities and communities.
Thrive for distinct information, education, and communication interventions to increase demand for equitable, gender-responsive, climate-resilient, respectful, and quality family planning information and services with special attention to adolescents, the young population, the male, disadvantaged population, including people with disabilities. Improve evidence-based programming, budgeting, resource allocation, and data management systems for decision-making and knowledge management in Family Planning Program.
Benefits of Family Planning
Family planning carries several advantages:
- It allows a couple to plan and have more control over when they have their children, which can be good for health, economic, or personal reasons.
- It gives couples the ability to control the number of children they have, and the spacing between them.
- It reduces the need for abortions of unwanted pregnancies.
- Some contraceptive methods used, such as condoms, also help prevent the spread of STIs.
- It can help couples with below-average fertility to have a baby.
Contacts for emergency assistance:
The National Health Service: 16263
Happy Family (Sukhi Poribar): 16767
Health information or medical advice: 333-6
National Emergency Services: 999
UNHCR Hotline (support related to Rohingya people in Camps): 16670
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