Although the term "family planning" is sometimes used
interchangeably with birth control or contraception, there is
much more to family planning than avoiding or timing a
pregnancy. Family planning involves a personal desire for a
family, the sense of an ideal number and age difference of the
children, and the effect that life experiences and personal
relationships will have on these plans. The main goals of birth
control and family planning are to increase the number of
planned, desired pregnancies and decrease the likelihood of
unintended pregnancy. Reducing the likelihood of sex-related
infections is also important. Both men and women share
responsibility for family planning and birth control. Women,
however, typically are expected to take on this responsibility.
During their reproductive years women face the challenge of
having a fulfilling sex life and planning or avoiding pregnancy.
The average woman manages this challenge for almost 40 years
from the beginning of menstruation (her first period) when sh