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89-792: The availability of contraception in the Republic of Ireland was illegal in the Irish Free State (later the Republic of Ireland) from 1935 until 1980, when it was legalised with strong restrictions, later loosened. Ireland's first family planning clinic, the Fertility Guidance Company Ltd (later to change its name to the IFPA), was established by seven volunteers in Merrion Square, Dublin, in 1969. Among

178-480: A medical exam —including birth control pills, injectable or implantable birth control, and condoms. For example, a pelvic exam , breast exam , or blood test before starting birth control pills does not appear to affect outcomes. In 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) published a detailed list of medical eligibility criteria for each type of birth control. Hormonal contraception

267-493: A pacifier , and feeding solids all increase the chances of becoming pregnant while breastfeeding. In those who are exclusively breastfeeding, about 10% begin having periods before three months and 20% before six months. In those who are not breastfeeding, fertility may return as early as four weeks after delivery. Emergency contraceptive methods are medications (sometimes misleadingly referred to as "morning-after pills") or devices used after unprotected sexual intercourse with

356-424: A progestin ) and the progestogen-only pills (sometimes called minipills). If either is taken during pregnancy, they do not increase the risk of miscarriage nor cause birth defects . Both types of birth control pills prevent fertilization mainly by inhibiting ovulation and thickening cervical mucus. They may also change the lining of the uterus and thus decrease implantation. Their effectiveness depends on

445-434: A 6% first-year rate with the diaphragm. Condoms have the additional benefit of helping to prevent the spread of some sexually transmitted infections such as HIV/AIDS , however, condoms made from animal intestine do not. Contraceptive sponges combine a barrier with a spermicide. Like diaphragms, they are inserted vaginally before intercourse and must be placed over the cervix to be effective. Typical failure rates during

534-399: A UK study, when a three-month "bridge" supply of the progestogen-only pill was provided by a pharmacist along with emergency contraception after sexual activity, this intervention was shown to increase the likelihood that the person would begin to use an effective method of long-term contraception. Levonorgestrel pills, when used within 3 days, decrease the chance of pregnancy after

623-687: A base covered in oils or other gummy substances. Many of Soranus's methods were probably also ineffective. In medieval Europe, any effort to halt pregnancy was deemed immoral by the Catholic Church , although it is believed that women of the time still used a number of birth control measures, such as coitus interruptus and inserting lily root and rue into the vagina. Women in the Middle Ages were also encouraged to tie weasel testicles around their thighs during sex to prevent pregnancy. The oldest condoms discovered to date were recovered in

712-897: A clear result, allowing abortions to be performed in Ireland, with the X Case frequently cited before the vote as a reason for amending the Constitution. Ireland joined the EEC in 1973 (now the European Union ), and an express provision in the relevant treaties was and is the principle of free movement of people within the EU. In Costa v ENEL (1964), the European Court of Justice had established that European law had primacy over national laws. The 1992 Maastricht Treaty allowed Ireland an exemption in respect of its laws on abortion. At

801-893: A given method during the first year, and sometimes as a lifetime failure rate among methods with high effectiveness, such as tubal ligation . Birth control methods fall into two main categories: male contraception and female contraception . Common male contraceptives are withdrawal , condoms , and vasectomy . Female contraception is more developed compared to male contraception, these include contraceptive pills (combination and progestin-only pill), hormonal or non-hormonal IUD , patch , vaginal ring , diaphragm , shot , implant , fertility awareness , and tubal ligation . The most effective methods are those that are long acting and do not require ongoing health care visits. Surgical sterilization, implantable hormones, and intrauterine devices all have first-year failure rates of less than 1%. Hormonal contraceptive pills, patches or vaginal rings, and

890-530: A group of Irish feminists travelled to Belfast by rail and made their return to Dublin laden with contraceptive devices as a statement on the illogicality of the law. The event caused a sensation in the media in Ireland and spurred public debate on the topic. In December 1971 Family Planning – A Guide for Parents and Prospective Parents , a booklet written by three members of the IFPA Education Committee, Drs. Loughran, Nowlan, and Towers,

979-491: A man's erect penis and physically block ejaculated sperm from entering the body of a sexual partner. Modern condoms are most often made from latex , but some are made from other materials such as polyurethane , or lamb's intestine. Female condoms are also available, most often made of nitrile , latex or polyurethane. Male condoms have the advantage of being inexpensive, easy to use, and have few adverse effects. Making condoms available to teenagers does not appear to affect

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1068-530: A neighbour in December 1991 and became pregnant. X told her mother of suicidal thoughts because of the unwanted pregnancy, and as abortion was illegal in the state, the family planned to travel abroad for an abortion. Before the planned abortion was carried out, the family asked the Garda Síochána (police) if DNA from the aborted foetus would be admissible as evidence in the courts, as the neighbour

1157-705: A patient in 1983 (on a weekend, when the pharmacies were closed). In 1988 the Irish Supreme Court barred family-planning clinics from telling pregnant women that lawful abortions are available in England. At that time about 5,000 Irish women were travelling abroad each year to have abortions. In 1991, the IFPA was fined IR£700 for selling condoms in the Virgin Megastore in Dublin, in contravention of

1246-590: A pregnancy, delivery and care of a newborn in the United States is on average $ 21,000 for a vaginal delivery and $ 31,000 for a caesarean delivery as of 2012. In most other countries, the cost is less than half. For a child born in 2011, an average US family will spend $ 235,000 over 17 years to raise them. Globally, as of 2009, approximately 60% of those who are married and able to have children use birth control. How frequently different methods are used varies widely between countries. The most common method in

1335-433: A previous delivery. Delaying another pregnancy after a miscarriage , however, does not appear to alter risk and women are advised to attempt pregnancy in this situation whenever they are ready. Teenage pregnancies , especially among younger teens, are at greater risk of adverse outcomes including early birth , low birth weight , and death of the infant . In 2012 in the United States 82% of pregnancies in those between

1424-435: A primary method have backup methods available (such as condoms or emergency contraceptive pills). The lactational amenorrhea method involves the use of a woman's natural postpartum infertility which occurs after delivery and may be extended by breastfeeding . For a postpartum woman to be infertile (protected from pregnancy), their periods have usually not yet returned (not menstruating), they are exclusively breastfeeding

1513-497: A result of rape, and public health efforts emphasizing abstinence to reduce unwanted pregnancy may have limited effectiveness, especially in developing countries and among disadvantaged groups . Deliberate non-penetrative sex without vaginal sex or deliberate oral sex without vaginal sex are also sometimes considered birth control. While this generally avoids pregnancy, pregnancy can still occur with intercrural sex and other forms of penis-near-vagina sex (genital rubbing, and

1602-554: A single episode of unprotected sex or condom failure by 70% (resulting in a pregnancy rate of 2.2%). Ulipristal , when used within 5 days, decreases the chance of pregnancy by about 85% (pregnancy rate 1.4%) and is more effective than levonorgestrel. Mifepristone is also more effective than levonorgestrel, while copper IUDs are the most effective method. IUDs can be inserted up to five days after intercourse and prevent about 99% of pregnancies after an episode of unprotected sex (pregnancy rate of 0.1 to 0.2%). This makes them

1691-590: A survey of biological parents, 9% stated they would not have had children if they were able to do it over again. Although sterilization is considered a permanent procedure, it is possible to attempt a tubal reversal to reconnect the fallopian tubes or a vasectomy reversal to reconnect the vasa deferentia . In women, the desire for a reversal is often associated with a change in spouse. Pregnancy success rates after tubal reversal are between 31 and 88 percent, with complications including an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy . The number of males who request reversal

1780-474: A woman drink a copper salt dissolved in water, which it claimed would prevent pregnancy for a year. This method was not only ineffective, but also dangerous, as the later medical writer Soranus of Ephesus ( c. 98–138 AD) pointed out. Soranus attempted to list reliable methods of birth control based on rational principles. He rejected the use of superstition and amulets and instead prescribed mechanical methods such as vaginal plugs and pessaries using wool as

1869-504: A year. Part of the reason that many women are without birth control is that many countries limit access due to religious or political reasons, while another contributor is poverty. Due to restrictive abortion laws in Sub-Saharan Africa, many women turn to unlicensed abortion providers for unintended pregnancy , resulting in about 2–4% obtaining unsafe abortions each year. The Egyptian Ebers Papyrus from 1550 BC and

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1958-404: Is 0.2%; the typical use first failure rate is 6%. Barrier contraceptives are devices that attempt to prevent pregnancy by physically preventing sperm from entering the uterus . They include male condoms , female condoms , cervical caps , diaphragms , and contraceptive sponges with spermicide . Globally, condoms are the most common method of birth control. Male condoms are put on

2047-486: Is a high concern, using two methods at the same time is reasonable. For example, two forms of birth control are recommended in those taking the anti- acne drug isotretinoin or anti-epileptic drugs like carbamazepine , due to the high risk of birth defects if taken during pregnancy. Contraceptive use in developing countries is estimated to have decreased the number of maternal deaths by 40% (about 270,000 deaths prevented in 2008) and could prevent 70% of deaths if

2136-517: Is a ten-year low at a time where the birth rate is at a historic high. The IFPA has the following departments: The IFPA is affiliated with: The Irish Journey - Women's Stories of Abortion . IFPA, Dublin, 2000. Contraception Birth control , also known as contraception , anticonception , and fertility control , is the use of methods or devices to prevent pregnancy . Birth control has been used since ancient times, but effective and safe methods of birth control only became available in

2225-585: Is also a form of birth control, but abstinence-only sex education may increase teenage pregnancies if offered without birth control education, due to non-compliance. In teenagers , pregnancies are at greater risk of poor outcomes. Comprehensive sex education and access to birth control decreases the rate of unintended pregnancies in this age group. While all forms of birth control can generally be used by young people, long-acting reversible birth control such as implants, IUDs, or vaginal rings are more successful in reducing rates of teenage pregnancy. After

2314-403: Is available in a number of different forms, including oral pills , implants under the skin, injections , patches , IUDs and a vaginal ring . They are currently available only for women, although hormonal contraceptives for men have been and are being clinically tested. There are two types of oral birth control pills, the combined oral contraceptive pills (which contain both estrogen and

2403-575: Is available in the form of tubal ligation for women and vasectomy for men. Tubal ligation decreases the risk of ovarian cancer . Short term complications are twenty times less likely from a vasectomy than a tubal ligation. After a vasectomy, there may be swelling and pain of the scrotum which usually resolves in one or two weeks. Chronic scrotal pain associated with negative impact on quality of life occurs after vasectomy in about 1–2% of men. With tubal ligation, complications occur in 1 to 2 percent of procedures with serious complications usually due to

2492-414: Is between 2 and 6 percent. Rates of success in fathering another child after reversal are between 38 and 84 percent; with success being lower the longer the time period between the vasectomy and the reversal. Sperm extraction followed by in vitro fertilization may also be an option in men. Behavioral methods involve regulating the timing or method of intercourse to prevent introduction of sperm into

2581-412: Is followed by a number of hormone-based methods including contraceptive pills , patches , vaginal rings , and injections . Less effective methods include physical barriers such as condoms , diaphragms and birth control sponges and fertility awareness methods . The least effective methods are spermicides and withdrawal by the male before ejaculation . Sterilization, while highly effective,

2670-439: Is imperative. In the developing world, birth control increases economic growth due to there being fewer dependent children and thus more women participating in or increased contribution to the workforce – as they are usually the primary caregiver for children. Women's earnings, assets, body mass index , and their children's schooling and body mass index all improve with greater access to birth control. Family planning , via

2759-451: Is not usually reversible; all other methods are reversible, most immediately upon stopping them. Safe sex practices, such as with the use of condoms or female condoms , can also help prevent sexually transmitted infections . Other methods of birth control do not protect against sexually transmitted infections. Emergency birth control can prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 to 120 hours after unprotected sex. Some argue not having sex

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2848-403: Is pregnant commits suicide, you lose the mother and the child." "The man in the X case", unnamed at the time to protect X's identity, was named in 2002 as Sean O'Brien (b.1949/50). In 1994 he was tried and convicted of defilement of a girl under 15 and sentenced to 14 years in prison, reduced on appeal to four years. He was released in 1997 and obtained a taxi driver's licence . In 2002 he

2937-418: Is recommended that birth control be continued for one year after the last menstrual period . About 222 million women who want to avoid pregnancy in developing countries are not using a modern birth control method. Birth control use in developing countries has decreased the number of deaths during or around the time of pregnancy by 40% (about 270,000 deaths prevented in 2008) and could prevent 70% if

3026-556: Is the practice of ending intercourse ("pulling out") before ejaculation. The main risk of the withdrawal method is that the man may not perform the maneuver correctly or in a timely manner. First-year failure rates vary from 4% with perfect usage to 22% with typical usage. It is not considered birth control by some medical professionals. There is little data regarding the sperm content of pre-ejaculatory fluid . While some tentative research did not find sperm, one trial found sperm present in 10 out of 27 volunteers. The withdrawal method

3115-550: Is used as birth control by about 3% of couples. Sexual abstinence may be used as a form of birth control, meaning either not engaging in any type of sexual activity, or specifically not engaging in vaginal intercourse, while engaging in other forms of non-vaginal sex. Complete sexual abstinence is 100% effective in preventing pregnancy. However, among those who take a pledge to abstain from premarital sex , as many as 88% who engage in sex, do so prior to marriage. The choice to abstain from sex cannot protect against pregnancy as

3204-523: The British Pregnancy Advisory Service . In 2005 the IFPA sued Ireland's government at the European Court of Human Rights on behalf of three women who traveled overseas that year for abortions: an Irish woman who had four previous children placed in state care, an Irish woman who didn't want to become a single mother, and a Lithuanian woman living in Ireland who was in remission from a rare form of cancer. The IFPA supported

3293-498: The Kahun Papyrus from 1850 BC have within them some of the earliest documented descriptions of birth control: the use of honey, acacia leaves and lint to be placed in the vagina to block sperm. Silphium , a species of giant fennel native to north Africa, may have been used as birth control in ancient Greece and the ancient Near East . Due to its desirability, by the first century AD, it had become so rare that it

3382-635: The anesthesia . Neither method offers protection from sexually transmitted infections. Sometimes, salpingectomy is also used for sterilization in women. Non-surgical sterilization methods have also been explored. Fahim et al. found that heat exposure, especially high-intensity ultrasound, was effective either for temporary or permanent contraception depending on the dose, e.g. selective destruction of germ cells and Sertoli cells without affecting Leydig cells or testosterone levels. Chemical, e.g. drug-based methods are also available, e.g. orally-administered Lonidamine for temporary, or permanent (depending on

3471-573: The lactational amenorrhea method (LAM), if adhered to strictly, can also have first-year (or for LAM, first-6-month) failure rates of less than 1%. With typical use, first-year failure rates are considerably higher, at 9%, due to inconsistent use. Other methods such as condoms, diaphragms, and spermicides have higher first-year failure rates even with perfect usage. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends long acting reversible birth control as first line for young individuals. While all methods of birth control have some potential adverse effects,

3560-407: The workforce , and/or less use of scarce resources. Birth control methods include barrier methods , hormonal birth control , intrauterine devices (IUDs), sterilization , and behavioral methods. They are used before or during sex while emergency contraceptives are effective for up to five days after sex. Effectiveness is generally expressed as the percentage of women who become pregnant using

3649-477: The " X Case ") was a judgment of the Irish Supreme Court which established the right of Irish women to an abortion if a pregnant woman's life was at risk because of pregnancy, including the risk of suicide. The case involved a fourteen-year-old girl (named only as "X" in the courts and the media to protect her identity) who was a ward of the state and who had been the victim of a statutory rape by

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3738-648: The 20th century. Planning, making available, and using human birth control is called family planning . Some cultures limit or discourage access to birth control because they consider it to be morally, religiously, or politically undesirable. The World Health Organization and United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide guidance on the safety of birth control methods among women with specific medical conditions. The most effective methods of birth control are sterilization by means of vasectomy in males and tubal ligation in females, intrauterine devices (IUDs), and implantable birth control . This

3827-653: The Irish constitution on the issue of abortion, which were submitted to three referendums all held on 25 November 1992. These were the The thirteenth and fourteenth amendments were ratified but the twelfth was rejected. In 2002 an attempt to overturn the suicide grounds was again defeated, in the Twenty-fifth Amendment . In 2018 the Thirty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland provided

3916-591: The X case", meaning to amend or replace the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 to permit and regulate abortion within the limited circumstances allowed by the 1992 judgment. This was eventually effected by the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013 . The Scannal programme by RTÉ was broadcast on 22 February 2010, suggesting that the underlying divisions of opinion still exist, and that

4005-439: The X case, coupled with its lengthy delaying of the extradition from Northern Ireland of Brendan Smyth , on multiple charges of abuses against children , was met with severe and widespread criticism. The issue split and eventually brought down the coalition government of the time. Under political pressure, Whelehan served as a High Court judge for just six days. There were regular calls, in subsequent decades, to "legislate for

4094-412: The age of 30, about 6% regret their decision, as compared with 20–24% of women who received sterilization within one year of delivery and before turning 30, and 6% in nulliparous women sterilized before the age of 30. By contrast, less than 5% of men are likely to regret sterilization. Men who are more likely to regret sterilization are younger, have young or no children, or have an unstable marriage. In

4183-469: The age of onset of sexual activity or its frequency. In Japan, about 80% of couples who are using birth control use condoms, while in Germany this number is about 25%, and in the United States it is 18%. Male condoms and the diaphragm with spermicide have typical use first-year failure rates of 18% and 12%, respectively. With perfect use condoms are more effective with a 2% first-year failure rate versus

4272-867: The ages of 15 and 19 years old are unplanned. Comprehensive sex education and access to birth control are effective in decreasing pregnancy rates in this age group. Birth control methods, especially hormonal methods , can also have undesirable side effects. Intensity of side effects can range from minor to debilitating, and varies with individual experiences. These most commonly include change in menstruation regularity and flow, nausea, breast tenderness, headaches, weight gain, and mood changes (specifically an increase in depression and anxiety). Additionally, hormonal contraception can contribute to bone mineral density loss, impaired glucose metabolism, increased risk of venous thromboembolism. Comprehensive sex education and transparent discussion of birth control side effects and contraindications between healthcare provider and patient

4361-399: The border would drive across into Donegal and post contraceptives to Dublin. In 1970 Dr. Michael Solomons was invited by two professors at Trinity College to lecture on family planning to medical students as part of their pharmacology courses. It was the first time that an Irish medical school had included the subject as a part of the curriculum. On 22 May 1971, with the support of the IFPA,

4450-411: The day of the cycle. They have typical first-year failure rates of 24%; perfect use first-year failure rates depend on which method is used and range from 0.4% to 5%. The evidence on which these estimates are based, however, is poor as the majority of people in trials stop their use early. Globally, they are used by about 3.6% of couples. If based on both basal body temperature and another primary sign,

4539-416: The delivery of a child, a woman who is not exclusively breastfeeding may become pregnant again after as few as four to six weeks. Some methods of birth control can be started immediately following the birth, while others require a delay of up to six months. In women who are breastfeeding, progestin-only methods are preferred over combined oral birth control pills . In women who have reached menopause , it

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4628-524: The developed world is condoms and oral contraceptives, while in Africa it is oral contraceptives and in Latin America and Asia it is sterilization. In the developing world overall, 35% of birth control is via female sterilization, 30% is via IUDs, 12% is via oral contraceptives, 11% is via condoms, and 4% is via male sterilization. While less used in the developed countries than the developing world,

4717-399: The dose) fertility management. Boris provides a method for chemically inducing either temporary or non-reversible sterility, depending on the dose, "Permanent sterility in human males can be obtained by a single oral dosage containing from about 18 mg/kg to about 25 mg/kg". The permanence of this decision may cause regret in some men and women. Of women who have undergone tubal ligation after

4806-746: The eligibility rules for abortions. In an 11-6 verdict, the 17 Strasbourg judges said Ireland was wrong to keep the legal situation unclear and said the Irish government had offered no credible explanation for its failure. In 2010 the IFPA was awarded the Pearl of Wisdom Award, which is given by the European Cervical Cancer Association to individuals and groups that have made exceptional efforts to prevent cervical cancer in their communities. The most recent statistics show that 4,149 Irish women had abortions in Britain in 2011. This

4895-560: The end of 1970 the association was holding six clinics a week. They had acquired eleven doctors including another gynaecologist, Rosemary Jordan, sixteen lay workers, an extra nurse, a financial administrator, a waiting list of three to four weeks, and had seen 1180 new patients. There was difficulty in obtaining contraceptives; Joyce Neill, Chairwoman of the Northern Ireland Family Planning Association, helped by arranging that doctors who lived near

4984-476: The facts of the case were too difficult and unique for a simple resolution at the time. Some quotations appeared on RTÉ's website: In A, B and C v Ireland (2010), the European Court of Human Rights found that Ireland has breached the European Convention on Human Rights by failing to provide an accessible and effective procedure by which a woman can have established whether she qualifies for

5073-460: The female reproductive tract, either altogether or when an egg may be present. If used perfectly the first-year failure rate may be around 3.4%; however, if used poorly first-year failure rates may approach 85%. Fertility awareness methods involve determining the most fertile days of the menstrual cycle and avoiding unprotected intercourse. Techniques for determining fertility include monitoring basal body temperature , cervical secretions , or

5162-575: The first volunteer doctors. In November 1976, the Censorship of Publications Board banned the IFPA's booklet Family Planning – A Guide for Parents and Prospective Parents - the Board considered the booklet "indecent or obscene". Victor Bewley, Maurice E. Dockrell TD and Senator Evelyn Owens headed an appeal fund to go to court where the ban was rescinded. In 1978 the Health (Family Planning) Bill

5251-514: The first year depend on whether or not a woman has previously given birth, being 24% in those who have and 12% in those who have not. The sponge can be inserted up to 24 hours before intercourse and must be left in place for at least six hours afterward. Allergic reactions and more severe adverse effects such as toxic shock syndrome have been reported. The current intrauterine devices (IUD) are small devices, often T-shaped, containing either copper or levonorgestrel , which are inserted into

5340-534: The founder-members were Michael Solomons, a gynaecologist, Dermot Hourihane, a pathologist, James Loughran , Joan Wilson, and Robert Towers (editor of the Irish Medical Times ). The organisation sidestepped the law by providing contraception for free and clients then making a "donation". In September 1970 doctors at the clinic begin fitting IUDs for the first time in the Irish Republic. By

5429-454: The full demand for birth control were met. By lengthening the time between pregnancies, birth control can improve adult women's delivery outcomes and the survival of their children. In the developing world, women's earnings, assets, and weight, as well as their children's schooling and health, all improve with greater access to birth control. Birth control increases economic growth because of fewer dependent children, more women participating in

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5518-428: The full demand for birth control were met. These benefits are achieved by reducing the number of unplanned pregnancies that subsequently result in unsafe abortions and by preventing pregnancies in those at high risk. Birth control also improves child survival in the developing world by lengthening the time between pregnancies. In this population, outcomes are worse when a mother gets pregnant within eighteen months of

5607-616: The hope of preventing pregnancy. Emergency contraceptives are often given to victims of rape. They work primarily by preventing ovulation or fertilization. They are unlikely to affect implantation, but this has not been completely excluded. A number of options exist, including high dose birth control pills , levonorgestrel , mifepristone , ulipristal and IUDs. All methods have minimal side effects. Providing emergency contraceptive pills to women in advance of sexual activity does not affect rates of sexually transmitted infections, condom use, pregnancy rates, or sexual risk-taking behavior. In

5696-543: The increased risk, they are included in decision tools such as the DASH score and PERC rule used to predict the risk of blood clots. The effect on sexual drive is varied, with increase or decrease in some but with no effect in most. Combined oral contraceptives reduce the risk of ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer and do not change the risk of breast cancer. They often reduce menstrual bleeding and painful menstruation cramps . The lower doses of estrogen released from

5785-401: The infant, and the baby is younger than six months. If breastfeeding is the infant's only source of nutrition and the baby is less than 6 months old, 93–99% of women are estimated to have protection from becoming pregnant in the first six months (0.75–7.5% failure rate). The failure rate increases to 4–7% at one year and 13% at two years. Feeding formula, pumping instead of nursing, the use of

5874-490: The injectable version should be used. Progestin-only pills may improve menstrual symptoms and can be used by breastfeeding women as they do not affect milk production . Irregular bleeding may occur with progestin-only methods, with some users reporting no periods . The progestins drospirenone and desogestrel minimize the androgenic side effects but increase the risks of blood clots and are thus not first line. The perfect use first-year failure rate of injectable progestin

5963-416: The legislation which restricted sale of contraceptives to pharmacies and other approved outlets. The X Case was a 1992 Irish Supreme Court judgment which established the right of Irish women to an abortion if a pregnant woman's life was at risk because of pregnancy, including the risk of suicide. On the strength of this ruling, the IFPA set up a non-directive pregnancy counselling service in partnership with

6052-411: The method is referred to as symptothermal. First-year failure rates of 20% overall and 0.4% for perfect use have been reported in clinical studies of the symptothermal method. A number of fertility tracking apps are available, as of 2016, but they are more commonly designed to assist those trying to get pregnant rather than prevent pregnancy. The withdrawal method (also known as coitus interruptus)

6141-417: The most effective form of emergency contraceptive. In those who are overweight or obese , levonorgestrel is less effective and an IUD or ulipristal is recommended. Dual protection is the use of methods that prevent both sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy. This can be with condoms either alone or along with another birth control method or by the avoidance of penetrative sex . If pregnancy

6230-783: The most widely used form of reversible contraception, with more than 180 million users worldwide. Evidence supports effectiveness and safety in adolescents and those who have and have not previously had children. IUDs do not affect breastfeeding and can be inserted immediately after delivery. They may also be used immediately after an abortion. Once removed, even after long term use, fertility returns to normal immediately. While copper IUDs may increase menstrual bleeding and result in more painful cramps, hormonal IUDs may reduce menstrual bleeding or stop menstruation altogether. Cramping can be treated with painkillers like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs . Other potential complications include expulsion (2–5%) and rarely perforation of

6319-1006: The number of women using IUDs as of 2007 was more than 180 million. Avoiding sex when fertile is used by about 3.6% of women of childbearing age, with usage as high as 20% in areas of South America. As of 2005, 12% of couples are using a male form of birth control (either condoms or a vasectomy) with higher rates in the developed world. Usage of male forms of birth control has decreased between 1985 and 2009. Contraceptive use among women in Sub-Saharan Africa has risen from about 5% in 1991 to about 30% in 2006. As of 2012, 57% of women of childbearing age want to avoid pregnancy (867 of 1,520 million). About 222 million women, however, were not able to access birth control, 53 million of whom were in sub-Saharan Africa and 97 million of whom were in Asia. This results in 54 million unplanned pregnancies and nearly 80,000 maternal deaths

6408-469: The penis exiting from anal intercourse ) where sperm can be deposited near the entrance to the vagina and can travel along the vagina's lubricating fluids. Abstinence-only sex education does not reduce teenage pregnancy . Teen pregnancy rates and STI rates are generally the same or higher in states where students are given abstinence-only education, as compared with comprehensive sex education . Some authorities recommend that those using abstinence as

6497-466: The risk is less than that of pregnancy. After stopping or removing many methods of birth control, including oral contraceptives, IUDs, implants and injections, the rate of pregnancy during the subsequent year is the same as for those who used no birth control. For individuals with specific health problems, certain forms of birth control may require further investigations. For women who are otherwise healthy, many methods of birth control should not require

6586-562: The risk was the possibility of suicide. X miscarried shortly after the judgement. In 2013 Justice O'Flaherty, speaking after his retirement, said that the X Case was "peculiar to its own particular facts", since X miscarried and did not have an abortion, and this rendered the case moot in Irish law. According to O'Flaherty, his reasoning for agreeing to uphold X's right to travel to the United Kingdom for an abortion because of suicidal ideation , "The stark situation is, if someone who

6675-539: The ruins of Dudley Castle in England, and are dated back to 1640. They were made of animal gut, and were most likely used to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections during the English Civil War . Casanova , living in 18th-century Italy, described the use of a lambskin covering to prevent pregnancy; however, condoms only became widely available in the 20th century. X Case Attorney General v X [1992] 1 IR 1 (more commonly known as

6764-554: The time of the Maastricht negotiations, it was thought that this exemption meant that the EU could never impose abortion laws upon Ireland. The X Case showed that the Irish government understood that its laws against abortion extended much further, even to a denial of the basic European law right of the free movement of people within the EU. Whelehan was later appointed as president of the High Court , but his office's stance on

6853-506: The use of modern birth control, is one of the most cost-effective health interventions. For every dollar spent, the United Nations estimates that two to six dollars are saved. These cost savings are related to preventing unplanned pregnancies and decreasing the spread of sexually transmitted illnesses. While all methods are beneficial financially, the use of copper IUDs resulted in the greatest savings. The total medical cost for

6942-406: The user's adherence to taking the pills. Combined hormonal contraceptives are associated with a slightly increased risk of venous and arterial blood clots . Venous clots, on average, increase from 2.8 to 9.8 per 10,000 women years which is still less than that associated with pregnancy. Due to this risk, they are not recommended in women over 35 years of age who continue to smoke. Due to

7031-494: The uterus (less than 0.7%). A previous model of the intrauterine device (the Dalkon shield ) was associated with an increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease ; however, the risk is not affected with current models in those without sexually transmitted infections around the time of insertion. IUDs appear to decrease the risk of ovarian cancer . Two broad categories exist, surgical and non-surgical. Surgical sterilization

7120-415: The uterus. They are one form of long-acting reversible contraception which are the most effective types of reversible birth control. Failure rates with the copper IUD is about 0.8% while the levonorgestrel IUD has a failure rates of 0.2% in the first year of use. Among types of birth control, they, along with birth control implants, result in the greatest satisfaction among users. As of 2007 , IUDs are

7209-433: The vaginal ring may reduce the risk of breast tenderness, nausea , and headache associated with higher dose estrogen products. Progestin-only pills, injections and intrauterine devices are not associated with an increased risk of blood clots and may be used by women with a history of blood clots in their veins. In those with a history of arterial blood clots, non-hormonal birth control or a progestin-only method other than

7298-554: The women on the right to privacy under article 8 ECHR . In 2010 the court found that Ireland had violated the Convention by failing to provide an accessible and effective procedure by which a woman can have established whether she qualifies for a legal abortion under current Irish law. The court ordered Ireland to pay the Lithuanian woman €15,000 ($ 20,000) in damages and said Irish doctors must be given clear legal guidance on

7387-573: Was appealed to the Supreme Court, which overturned it by a majority of four to one ( Anthony Hederman dissenting) in March 1992. The majority opinion ( Chief Justice Thomas Finlay, Niall McCarthy, Séamus Egan and Hugh O'Flaherty) held that a woman had a right to an abortion under Article 40.3.3° if there was "a real and substantial risk" to her life. This right did not exist if there was a risk to her health but not her life; however, it did exist if

7476-664: Was denying responsibility. The garda asked the Attorney General 's office for advice. Attorney General Harry Whelehan sought an injunction under Article 40.3.3° of the Constitution of Ireland (which guaranteed "the right to life of the unborn") preventing her from having the procedure carried out. The injunction was granted by Declan Costello in the High Court in February 1992. The High Court injunction

7565-432: Was introduced by Charles Haughey . This bill limited the provision of contraceptives, by medical prescription only and by a pharmacist, to bona fide "family planning or for adequate medical reasons". This was largely interpreted to mean that only married couples were legally entitled to access contraception. Chairperson of the IFPA, Dr Andrew Rynne, was the first person to be prosecuted under this law, for selling condoms to

7654-591: Was published. It became extremely popular and thousands of copies were distributed over the following years. In late 1975 the Galway Family Planning Association was set up, which was at the centre of a highly publicised controversy involving the Fine Gael TD Fintan Coogan , Fianna Fáil mayor Mary Byrne and Deirdre Manifold, convenor of a public rosary crusade, on one side, and staff and medical students of what

7743-414: Was then known as University College Galway (UCG) on the other. Amongst those supporting the presence of a family-planning clinic were Michael D. Higgins , then a lecturer, and Eamon Gilmore , then a graduate student. Members of the student union claimed that Opus Dei had co-ordinated the opposition to the clinic. The clinic opened on Raleigh Row on 21 July 1977, with Tuam GP Dr John Waldron becoming one of

7832-555: Was tried and convicted for the 1999 sexual assault and false imprisonment of a 15-year-old girl in his taxi; his three-and-a-half-year sentence was handed down the day before another abortion referendum . In late 1983 the Eighth Amendment had passed, to ensure that abortion would not be introduced by the judiciary, in a similar manner to the US case of Roe v. Wade (1973). The X case resulted in three proposed amendments to

7921-467: Was worth more than its weight in silver and, by late antiquity, it was fully extinct. Most methods of birth control used in antiquity were probably ineffective. The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle ( c. 384–322 BC) recommended applying cedar oil to the womb before intercourse, a method which was probably only effective on occasion. A Hippocratic text On the Nature of Women recommended that

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