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  Contraceptive Knowledge Everybody should Know Download

What is Family Planning? When a couple starts a new family, they will need to decide on the number and spacing of their children they wish to have. They can meet their goal by the use of appropriate contraceptive methods. Family Planning Service Under the Family Health Service of the Department of Health, there are thirty Maternal and Child Health Centres located in different regions of Hong Kong, providing Family Planning Service to the public. For Entitled Persons, a fee of HK$1 is charged per visit. The service includes the following: 1. Consultation and prescription of appropriate contraceptive methods are provided to women of childbearing age; 2. Infertility counseling; 3. Health education on common woman health related topics. How to Choose an Appropriate Contraceptive Method? There are many kinds of contraceptive methods and those provided by the Family Health Service of the Department of Health are mentioned in this leaflet. Through the Family Planning Service of the Department of Health, childbearing age women will understand the advantage, disadvantage and specific features of different contraceptive methods, such that an appropriate contraceptive method could be chosen.
Oral contraceptive pills - contain hormones - act by suppressing ovulation - There are 2 main types:- (i) combined type that contains estrogen and progestogen (ii) progestogen only type Oral contraceptive pills come in different packages containing different number and preparation of pills. When starting oral contraceptive pills for the first time, it is advised to consult a medical personnel for correct administration of pills. - Health assessment should be done by doctor for first time users to confirm if pills are suitable. -Menstrual flow will be decreased while on pills. Very effective Injectable contraception -contain hormones, -act by suppressing ovulation. - There are 2 main types:- (i) combined type that contains estrogen and progestogen (ii) progestogen only type The contraceptive effect of combined injectables last for around 12 weeks. The contraceptive effect of progestogen only injectable last for around 1 month. -Health assessment should be done by doctor for first time users to confirm if hormonal injection is suitable. -May have irregular bleeding, decreased menstrual flow or even absence of periods, but these cause no harm to health. Very effective Intrauterine device - Prevent the implantation of the fertilized ovum in the womb. -Insertion must be performed by doctor, - Regular body check-up is required. - May experience slight lower abdominal pain and small amount of vaginal bleeding shortly after insertion and it usually subsides after a few months. - Some may experience increased menstrual flow after insertion. Very effective. Condom -Prevent the sperms from entering the womb -Put the condom on the erected penis before intercourse. - Can help to prevent sexual transmitted diseases, - Can use in conjunction with other kinds of contraception, - If the condom ruptures, consult your doctor as soon as possible (preferably within 72 hours ) for postcoital contraception. Effective
Foaming tablets (Spermicide) - inactivate and kill sperms. -act as a physical barrier. -use water to moisten the foaming tablet. -use fingers to put the tablet deep inside the vagina. - the efficacy is even lower in younger women, - better use in conjunction with condom. Not so effective Natural family planning (Safety method) - prevent the sperms from fertilizing the ovum. -need to define the ovulation period and the safety period under guidance. -practise abstinence around the ovulation period. - only suitable for women with regular menstrual cycle. Not so effective Female sterilization -tie or cut the fallopian tubes to prevent the sperms from fertilizing the ovum. -a minor operation, -different methods of doing it, - under general or local anaesthesia. -consider as a permanent form of contraception, -no adverse effect on health and libido. Highly effective Vasectomy -cut the vas deferens, -prevent the transport of sperms into the semen. - a simple and safe operation, -only local anaesthesia is necessary. -consider as a permanent form of contraception, - no adverse effect on health, libido, sexual function and sexual life. Highly effective FHS- WH4A (Rev. Sept, 2007) For enquiry: 2112 9900 Website: http://www.fhs.gov.hk
 
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Last revision date: 01 September 2006