Family planning

Family planning refers to the factors that may be considered by a couple in a committed relationship and each individual involved in deciding if and when to have children. Though rarely articulated, family planning may involve consideration of the number of children a couple wish to have as well as the age at which they wish to have them. These matters are obviously influenced by external factors such as marital situation, career considerations, financial position, any disabilities that may affect their ability to have children and raise them, besides many other considerations. If sexually active, family planning may involve the use of contraception and other techniques to control the timing of reproduction. Other techniques commonly used include sexuality education, prevention and management of sexually transmitted infections,pre-conception counseling and management, and infertility management.

Family planning is sometimes used as a synonym or euphemism for the use of contraception. However, it often involves methods and practices in addition to contraception. It is most usually applied to a female-male couple who wish to limit the number of children they have and/or to control the timing of pregnancy (also known as spacing children). Family planning may encompass sterilization, as well as abortion.