Birth control

Birth control is the deliberate prevention of pregnancy through contraceptive methods or practices, including hormonal, barrier, behavioral, and permanent approaches.

Hormonal contraception: Contraceptive methods that use hormones to prevent pregnancy, usually by suppressing ovulation or changing cervical mucus. It prevents pregnancy chiefly by altering reproductive hormones.
Contraceptive efficacy: The ability of a contraceptive method to prevent pregnancy under specified conditions of use. Typical-use and perfect-use rates help compare methods realistically.
History of contraception: The history of practices and technologies used to prevent pregnancy across societies and periods. Methods range from ancient practices to modern hormonal contraception.
Abortion: The ending of a pregnancy before birth, by medication or a medical procedure. Unlike contraception, abortion ends an established pregnancy rather than preventing conception.
Barrier contraception: Contraceptive methods that physically block sperm from reaching an egg. Condoms and diaphragms work by keeping sperm from entering the reproductive tract.
Long-acting reversible contraception: Reversible contraceptive methods that provide protection for years without requiring frequent action. Implants and intrauterine devices reduce the chance of user error.
Margaret Sanger: An American nurse and activist who campaigned for birth control and helped establish the movement that became Planned Parenthood. Her activism helped make contraception a public political issue in the United States.
Infertility: A condition in which pregnancy has not occurred after a period of regular unprotected sex, or cannot be carried to term. It concerns difficulty achieving pregnancy, not deliberate pregnancy prevention.
Intrauterine device: A small device placed in the uterus to provide long-term contraception. Copper and hormonal devices prevent pregnancy through distinct mechanisms inside the uterus.
Condom: A sheath worn over the penis or inserted into the vagina to reduce pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection risk. It is a widely used barrier method with protection against some infections.

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