Contraceptives

Birth control, also known as contraception and fertility control, refers to methods or devices used to prevent pregnancy.^[1] Planning and provision of birth control is called family planning.^[2]Safe sex, such as the use of male or female condoms, can also help prevent transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.^[3][4] Contraceptive use in developing countries has cut the number of maternal deaths by 44% (about 270,000 deaths averted in 2008) but could prevent 73% if the full demand for birth control were met.^[5][6] Because teenage pregnancies are at greater risk of adverse outcomes such as preterm birth, low birth weight and infant mortality, adolescents need comprehensive sex education and access to reproductive health services, including contraception.^[7][8] By lengthening the time between pregnancies, birth control can also improve adult women's delivery outcomes and the survival of their children.^[5]