Question

As a natural method of contraception, avoiding a week of coitus during the fertile days of the menstrual cycle avoids fertilisation. The name of this method of contraception is

• A. periodic abstinence
• B. lactational amenorrhoea
• C. coitus interruptus
• D. sterilization

Answer 1

The correct option is A periodic abstinence

Birth control helps to curtail population explosion. It refers to the regulation of conception by preventive methods or devices.
There have been many measures which have been taken up to control the population explosion-

• Statutory raising of the marriageable age of girls to 18 years and for boys to 21 years.
• Incentives for couples with small families.
• Motivating smaller families to use contraceptive methods.
• Free availability of contraceptives at station health centres of the government.

There are several methods of birth controls, natural and artificial, which assure a check in the population growth are- Natural methods, barrier methods, intrauterine devices (IUDs), oral contraceptives, injectables & implants, and surgical methods.
Natural methods do not require the usage of any products made up of synthetic elements or polymers. This involves a natural way of family planning. Although in this process, the chances of failure are often very high. Also, one of the drawbacks of the natural method of contraception is that it does not protect the couple from sexually transmitted diseases.
Periodic abstinence or rhythm method: In this method, the couples avoid coitus from day ${10}^{\mathrm{th}}\mathrm{to}{17}^{\mathrm{th}}$ of the menstrual cycle. Coinciding with possible ovulation, the chances of fertilisation remain very high. So, if coitus is abstained from during this time then the chance of fertilisation and pregnancy is very low.
Lactational amenorrhoea: This method of natural contraception refers to the cessation of menstruation during the period of lactation. Breastfeeding causes an increase in the level of prolactin in the blood, which suppresses gonadotrophins thereby prohibiting ovulation. As the ovulation will not occur in this period, so there will not be any conception. This can generally last for upto six months only post-delivery of the baby.
Coitus interruptus: This involves the male partner withdrawing his penis from the vagina before ejaculation/ release of sperms. This method denies sperms to spill into the vaginal tract, enter the uterus and swim towards the fallopian tubule and complete fertilisation. Pregnancy is averted this way.
Sterilization: This is a surgical method for the termination of pregnancies by blocking transport of gametes. These surgeries are conducted on both males and females. In the case of males, it is called vasectomy, where a small portion of vas deferens is cut and ligated. And in the case of females, it is called tubectomy, where a small part of the fallopian tube is cut and ligated.