Artificial Contraceptives Essay, Research Paper

Argumentative Essay

Artificial Contraceptives

Artificial Contraceptive should be eliminated. This

is my argument. Why you ask? Well, although my viewpoint

sounds a little radical, I have come up with several

reasons why natural is better.

Funk and Wagnall’s New Encyclopedia defines with birth

control as any method used to prevent pregnancy from

occurring. Methods available today range from permanent

procedures such as surgical sterilization to temporary

methods that must be with each act of intercourse.

Sterilization, for example, has an effectiveness range from

99.5-99.9%. Yet, we must keep in mind that this operation

can be rather expensive, costing up to $2,500. In

addition, complications like infections or blood clots may

occur (Planned Parenthood, pg. 3). Moreover, sometimes

people later regret not being able to have children.

Another form of birth control is the intrauterine

device or IUD. IUD’s are tiny metal or plastic loops or

coils that are placed in the uterus. They have an

effectiveness of 95-99%(Funk & Wagnall’s, pg.98). A

physician must insert IUD’s, but they can remain there

until it is desired to be removed for a pregnancy.

Although they sound ideal, some women have experienced

uterine cramps and increased menstrual flow when using an

IUD. (Billings, pg.63) in fact, some devices increase the

risk of pelvic infection(Funk & Wagnall’s, pg.98).

Further, in Perry and Dawson’s book, Nightmare, they

proclaim the dangers of IUDs. They focus, especially, on

the Dalkon Shield IUD; an IUD described as “the safest and

most satisfying form of contraception.” In their book,

Perry and Dawson state that “more than 12,000 women have

filed damage suits for complications ranging from

debilitating pain and severe bleeding to perforated uteri,

unplanned pregnancies, spontaneous miscarriages, and septic

abortions(Perry & Dawson, pg. 1).

Yet, another method of birth control is the oral

contraceptive, better known as “the pill”. Oral

contraceptives are chemicals that work by altering a

woman’s normal hormonal patterns so that ovulation does not

occur(Funk & Wagnall’s, pg.98). The pill is nearly 100%

effective when taken according to directions. More

recently, however, “Oxford University researchers showed an

association between oral contraceptives and an increased

risk of blood clots affecting the veins and arteries to the

legs, lungs, and brain”(Billings, pg.164). In addition,

the estimated risk of heart attack is 2.8 times higher in

Pill-users than on non-users(Rosenfield, pg.96). Moreover,

studies from the World Health Organization states, “the

risk of death increases markedly among women over the age

of 35, especially if they are also smokers, are overweight,

or have diabetes, and have used the pill for a long time”

(Billings. Pg. 172). Lastly, former chairman of the ob-gyn

department at John Hopkins, Dr. Allan Barnes, stated that

“The risks of birth control pills far outweighed their

benefits”(Perry & Dawson, pg. 24-25).

On the other hand, barrier methods like the use of

condoms and diaphragms are inexpensive and have no side

effects. In fact, they have an effectiveness range from

86-97%(Funk & Wagnall’s, pg. 98). But, I must also add,

they provide a false sense of security.

Often, sexually active people who tend to relay on

condoms and diaphragms become a little irresponsible. They

feel secure against pregnancy. Nevertheless, this is when

trouble arises.

For instance, youngsters, being told that condoms and

diaphragms are safe, are many times lured to believing that

it is okay to have sex. Yes, condoms and diaphragms do

provide protection, but many times they are forgotten to be

used, especially when sexual intercourse is spontaneous.

In short, if artificial contraceptives were not available,

youngsters as well as adults would not be forced to take

sexual intercourse as a highly responsible act. This

would, most likely, decrease the amount of youngsters

taking part in premarital sex. As a result, there would be

least teenage pregnancies.

Now that I have started the pros and cons to

artificial contraceptives, one question may remain I your

head: “ How does she plan to prevent pregnancy?” The

answer or solution is natural. The reasons so many

problems arise with artificially prevent life. Life is

something that happens naturally. Therefore, if life is

desired to be prevented, it should be prevented naturally

as well.

Naturally family planning is becoming more and more

popular. This is because as dissatisfaction with

contraceptives drugs and devices grows, so grows the number

of women seeking a fertility control method that is

natural-that does not interfere with the body’s normal

processes(Billings, pg. 185).

We know that nature has provided various indications

that ovulation is occurring or has occurred. These

indications have been researched, and many different

methods of natural birth control have been devised. Among

them are the Rhythm Method, the Basal Body Temperature

Method, the Sympto-Thermal Method, and the Ovulation

Method(Billings, pg. 186).

Of all the main candidates, my personal choice is the

Ovulation or Billings Method. This is because it is

suitable for everyone. The Ovulation Method can be used by

all women at all phases-whether her menstrual cycles are

regular or irregular, during adolescence, coming off the

pill, when breast feeding or approaching the

menopause(Billings, pg. 14).

The Billings Ovulation Method was developed by

Melbourne physician Dr. Evelyn Billings together with her

husband, Dr. john Billings. In her book, Billings

describes that the basis of the method is awareness of the

mucus at the vaginal opening. Basically, the mucus can

indicate whether you are fertile or infertile by its

sensation and appearance(Billings, pg. 12).

When the mucus indicates possible fertility, it is

necessary to postpone sexual intercourse if a pregnancy is

not desired. For most couples, this means that up to half

the days of a typical cycle are available for intercourse.

In general, days available for intercourse are scattered

throughout the cycle, so that abstinence is not required

for lengthy periods in any cycle. In longer cycles, a

greater portion of the cycle is available(Billings, pg.

12).

Billings also states that like other methods, it is

susceptible to the human factor, but couples who are

motivated to make it work will find it safe, reliable and

simple to use. As a matter of fact, preliminaries findings

indicate an effectiveness of about 99%. This means that

among 100 couples who follow the method guidelines for a

year, an average of one pregnancy can be expected to occur.

This with the effectiveness of artificial contraceptives

methods including the pill and IUDs(Billings, pg. 13).

As also mentioned in her book, the method requires a

high level of motivation and cooperation. Yet, unlike

other contraceptives, the method causes not side effects or

changes in the natural body processes. With this method no

equipment is necessary, making it inexpensive. In

addition, a bonus to the method is the “sense of wonder and

deep satisfaction that comes from tuning in to the natural

rhythms of your own body”(Billings, pg. 15).

often, artificial contraceptive advocators agree that

natural family planning is not reliable. Part of their

argument is that it never worked in the past centuries. In

addition, they state that the number of children per

household has decreased from 10-15 to 2-3 in the past fifty

years(Billings, pg. 53). Yet the reason for the decrease

is that children in the past were needed to help out the

family, for example to work in the fields. On the other

hand, today children represent a great economic cost to

parents. A cost, which in turn, is one of the most common

reasons couples choose to use contraceptives in the first

place(Billings, pg. 54).

In addition, the Ovulation Method is so reliable that

many women have discovered the significance of the mucus

themselves, and have used it as a sign of their fertility

or infertility even without the scientific verification of

the method that is available today(Billings, pg. 13).

“For instance, it is known that at least three African

tribal groups (the Taita, Kamba, and Luo) have used the

mucus produced by the cervix as a marker of fertility for

generations past. [In addition], an elder of an Australian

Aboriginal tribe, Nirangi, recently described how young

girls of his tribe were taken away to a sacred place by the

older women and taught about the mucus. [Also], in western

societies, it is not unusaul to hear of an individual woman

who has discovered for herself the message of the

mucus”(Billings, pg. 14).

In sum, if artificial contraceptives were eliminated,

we would be forced to relay on natural family planning. In

doing so, sexual intercourse would become for everyone as

an act of high responsibility. Moreover, if this method

was well taught and adopted by everyone, it is possible

that we might even decrease the number of unwanted and

aborted children.

Works Cited

Billings, Evelyn. 1st Ed. The Billings Method. Random

House: New York, 1980.

Perry, Susana and Jim Dawson. 1st Ed. Women and The Dalkon

Shield. New York: Macmillan, 1985.

Rosenfield, Albert. Responsible Parenthood, The Child’s

Psyche Through the Six-Year Pregnancy. 1st Ed. Holt,

Rinehart and Winston: New York, 1980.

Funk and Wagnall’s. Contraceptives. 30 vols. Raintree

Milwaukee: WI, 1997. 3.