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How do the different birth control methods really work - do they all act as an abortion technique? Do contraceptives help to destroy a marriage?
There is a joke that is prevalent in ob/gyn offices: Question -- What do you call people who use natural methods of birth control???? Answer – "Parents."
Many health clinics are currently promoting the use of what is commonly known as the "morning after pill" as a means of combatting rising abortion rates and increasing numbers of unwanted pregnancies. The term is actually somewhat of a misnomer since the protocol calls for two tablets of a very high dose contraceptive pill (Ovral), followed by an identical dose 12 hours later. When taken within 72 hours post-intercourse, these pills act to change the lining of the uterus and prevent the fertilized egg from attaching itself to the uterus. If fertilization has occurred, the embryo has already begun to form and therefore this regime is essentially an early abortion technique.
However, contraceptive pills that are currently in use contain a much smaller dose of hormone. Therefore, they act to prevent pregnancy in a very different way. Regular doses of the pill act to prevent ovulation -- the release of the egg from the ovary. As a result, there is no interaction between egg and sperm. The pill also causes changes in the mucus of the cervix which interfere with the sperm's ability to survive.
Norplant consists of six plastic capsules that are inserted under the skin of a woman's arm and are effective in preventing pregnancy for up to five years. It releases synthetic progesterone which functions to suppress ovulation, change the mucus to prevent the passage of sperm and to suppress the growth of the lining of the uterus.
Depo-provera is an injection which will prevent pregnancy for up to three months in much the same manner as the pill or Norplant. However, it may be more difficult to become pregnant after using Depo-provera.
The IUD is a poor choice of contraceptive. It acts to prevent the implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterus and is therefore an abortion-causing device. Its use is also associated with potential infections which can cause infertility or even sterility.
The use of contraceptives which prevent the egg and sperm from meeting (such as the pill, diaphragm or the condom) should not be a factor in "destroying" a marriage -- as long as the husband and wife are in full agreement with their use. The use of contraceptives and the type of contraceptive should always be a mutual decision.
A second important consideration is the willingness to accept responsibility for any so-called contraceptive "failures." Sometimes the use of contraceptives can create the illusion that we have complete control over whether and when we have children. This is not true. There is a possibility of failure with every kind of contraceptive and part of having a loving sexual relationship is the willingness to accept that procreation is a part of the sexual experience -- whether it be planned or unplanned. I hope this helps to answer your question.