The regulation of conception by preventive measures or devices to limit the number of children is known as birth control. Family planning is a programme aimed at limiting the size of the family by spacing the birth of children and prevention of some conceptions. The main aim of birth control measures to check the population growth rate.
1. Contraceptions: It is a permanent or temporary measure to prevent pregnancy. Government is motivating young couples through education and mass media.
2. Contraceptives : These are the devices that prevent conception without interfering with the reproductive health of the individuals. The characteristics of an ideal contraceptive device are:

• It should be comfortable and easy to use.
• It should not have any side effects.
• It should in no way interfere with sexual drive, desire or the sexual act of the user.

There are various methods of contraception. These are Natural/traditional methods, Barrier methods, IUDs, Oral contraceptive, Injactables, Implants and Surgical methods.

1. Natural/Traditional Methods: These methods work on the principle of avoiding chances of sperms and ovum meeting. These methods do not have any device, medicine or religious sanction. These includes safe period, coitus interruption and lactation amenorrhea.

• Safe Period (Rhythm Method or Periodic Abstinance Method)
• Coitus Interruption or Withdrawal Method
• Lactation Amenorrhoea

2. Barrier Methods: These are mechanical methods by which sperms and ovum are prevented to come in physical contact. So that fertilization does not takes place. The common barrier methods are condom, fem shield, diaphragm, cervical cap and vault cap.

• Condom
• Fern Shield
• Diaphragm
• Cervical cap
• Vault cap

3. Chemical Methods: These methods include use of contraceptive, available in the form of creams, paste, jelly, foam, tablets, aerosol foam etc. They have spermicides (sperm killing agents) such as citric acid, lactic acid, potassium permaganate and zinc sulphate. Application of cream or tablets in the vagina of female before intercourse kills the ejaculated sperms.
4. Intrauterine Devices (IUDS): These devices are made of plastic, netal or a combination of the two which are inserted into the uterus of the female by a doctor. Different types of IUDs are available now a days. These may be grouped as non - medicated IUDs (i.e., Lippes loop), copper releasing IUDs and the Hormone releasing TUDs.

• Non - Medicated or Inert IUDs
• Copper Ts (Copper Releasing IUDs)
• Hormone Releasing IUDs

5. Oral Contraceptives (Oral Pills): These are used in the form of tablets by women and, therefore commonly called ‘oral contraceptive pills’. These pills contain small amount of either progesterons or a combination of progesteron - oestrogen. This is the most common contraceptive method used by women. Birth control pills check ovulation in female by inhibiting the secretion of fallicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and lutening hormone (LH) that are necessary for ovulation. Hence, no eggs are released in a woman taking the pills and conception can not occur.

Pills are normally taken daily for a period of 21 days starting preferably within the first five day of menstrual cycle. Its intake has to be repeated a gap of 7 days (period ot menstruation) in the same pattern till the women desire. The birth control pills have some side effects such as nausea, brest tenderness, weight gain and break - through bleeding (slight blood loss between mentrual period) and high blood pressure. On the other hand, the oral contraceptive pills reduces the chances of certain types of cancer occur in their users.