Marriage is an ocean about which the swimmers know nothing. Therefore. the bride and the bridegroom have to be very careful, otherwise they may be blessed with more daughters and sons than they can conveniently manage, and they might well have passed beyond the danger point before the realization of the danger dawns upon them. It is a great pity indeed to see young couples completely mobbed by a dozen or so children whom they have brought into the world in a moment of mighty recklessness without adequately providing for them.
"Sex is undeniably important in marriage, but it is not the only thing. nor would the union be wrecked if he did nothing for the first few nights. On the contrary, his bride would probably respect and love him all the more for his consideration, for she too may feel the strain of anticipation as to what is in store for her."
The slower method is suited to the fast tempo of the modern times. It gives you time to think and a peaceful realization of sexual desire: and encourages in you the habit of birth control through self control, as advised by Mahatma Gandhi and ancient Indian sail1ts and sages. The fewer the sexual intercourses, the more will be your - sexual satisfaction. Therefore, even if you are married, practice Brahmacharya as far as possible.
Sex is a chamber-half of which is hell and the other half is heaven. It is for you to decide whether you enter by the Door of Devils or the Gate of Angels. Mahatma Gandhi, despite his greatness, entered the Secret Chamber by the Door of Devils, because he was married early in childhood when the hardly understood the mysteries of life, alone the secrets of sex. When he achieved inner Light, he could have entered by the Gate of Angels, but then he did not enter at all. He renounced sex altogether. This is a rather difficult way of birth control, but it is a right one. All other methods arc not so right as this one. It ensures supreme happiness.
"Sometimes people find that they have to use their hands to help them to get rid of the sexual urge. This is known as masturbation or sex relief. While it is sensual to encourage oneself in this respect, it is far better to experience occasional gratification-not more than once at one lime-than to be continually repressing and fighting against Nature. Howeverr, masturbation should not become a habit, because if excessively indulged in, it is an abuse. Many young people find that a few times a month is all that is necessary, otherwise the energy needed for work is\used up uselessly. "
How to Avoid Conception
It has been fully explained earlier that conception takes place by the union of, spermatozoa with the ovum-, The principle underlying the methods used for birth control is, therefore, to have the sexual intercourse in such manner that there is no chance for the active spermatozoa to meet the ovum. These methods are known as contraceptive methods. The detailed description, advantages and defects of these methods will be given in the succeeding paragraphs and it is for the readers to pick out and use the methods which suit them best.
Coitus Interruptus
It is considered the oldest method. It consists of sudden withdrawal of the erected penis from the vagina before the ejaculation of semen takes place. The advantages of this method are that it demands no special knowledge and ca11s for no apparatus or material. Not only is no expenditure involved but it can also be used in any circumstances. Moreover, the method can be used by the man without consulting or informing his partner. That is why this method is very popular and most commonly used by all classes of people in spite of its defects and its condemnation by medical authorities. This method is not very reliable as the man whose passion is very much excited and who wants to have maximum pleasure, withdraws his penis just before he feels that he cannot control the release of semen further and in this haste some semen may be shed on the vulva and it is then quite possible for some of the spermatozoa to find their way into the vagina. .
Sometimes the height of enjoyment over powers the man who forgets about withdrawal or changes his mind about it and thus the very purpose with which he started it is lost. While using this method the man and the woman are not only deprived of the benefits of vitalising elements present in the vaginal and seminal fluids but they also generally remain dissatisfied in the sexual act. Its regular practice is very likely to produce physical, mental and sexual disorders, both in the man and the woman.
On the whole, this method is considered unsatisfactory and should be avoided as far as possible. However, when no other appliance or material is readily available and it is found necessary' to use this method, every care should be taken to see that not a single drop of semen falls on the external genitals of the female. In case a second intercourse is to be held soon after the first the penis must be thoroughly cleaned or washed so that the semen from the first ejaculation if any, present on the glans or under the foreskin of the penis may not be transmitted into the vagina.
Use of French Leather
Another method of preventing the union of the spermatozoa with the ovum is the use of a sheath, also known as a condom or french leather, by the man. A sheath is a circular tube made of rubber or skin and closed at one end. It is available in three sizes-small, medium and large. The size, which suits the dimensions of the penis, i.e.. star which when worn over the penis, clings to it rightly, should be purchased. . Thus. when the french leather is worn over the penis, it prevents the escape of the semen in the vagina because the semen is shed into the interior of the sheath. The sheaths are kept in rolled up condition by the manufacturers. Just before uniting the sexual organs, the open end of the sheath should be placed on the glans and unrolled on the penis so that it is covered up to the root.
There are two kinds of sheaths-with a teat and without. a teat. The object of the teat is to provide a receptac1e for the dis. charged semen so that there may be no chances for the rubber to burst due to ejaculation of semen. If a sheath without a teat is used, a little space, say about half an inch, should be left at the closed end of the sheath for the semen to escape into. When a sheath with a teat is used, no such precaution is necessary.
Use of a sheath by the man is a reliable method of preventing conception. provided it does not burst and has no holes in it. Even a very minute hole may. allow the spermatozoa to get into the vagina and impregnate the ovum. It is, therefore, very necessary not to use french leather of a cheap quality: only good reliable qualities should be used. The stuff they are made of should be very elastic and tenacious.
It is advisable to use a new sheath each time. However, if because of economy or any other consideration it is found necessary to use the same sheath on several occasions, the washable sheath which is made of thicker material should be purchased. After use it should be washed in cold water, dried thoroughly and stored in powdered chalk. This prolongs the life of the sheath. It should be tested for effects before use every time,
The use of sheath interferes considerably with sensation and diminishes the pleasures of the sexual act. Not only is the sexual desire not fully gratified because of the presence of a foreign body, but there is no exchange of magnetism also between the man and the woman. Moreover, both are prevented from deriving any benefits from the seminal and vaginal fluids, Also, there is always a risk of the sheath rupturing. If some contraceptive jel1y is also employed by the woman coincidentally, it obviates the risk of failure.
As has been stated above, the use of a sheath interferes with sensation and pleasure. To reduce this interference, an abbreviated sheath known as an "AMERICAN TIP" may be used. An American Tip is a modification of the ordinary sheath and when worn on the organ it covers the glans penis only. No doubt the American Tip Causes much less interference with sensation than the ordinary sheath, but the chief drawback in the use of the American Tip is that there is a great risk of its being peeled off the glans penis during the movements of coitus.
Constant sod prolonged use of sheaths is not recommended as it leads to functional disorder& in the man as well as the woman.
Coitus Reservatus
This method can be used by very few persons as a great deal of will power and self control is necessary for its successful completion. The method consists in uniting the sexual organs but avoiding orgasm or ejaculation of semen by the male. This is achieved by remaining passive and withholding from movements. The erection subsides after some time and the organs are separated. This sort of embrace in which the sexual organs are united and then no movements are made lasts for quite a long period-though generally the erection subsides within one hour yet in certain cases the sexual organs remain in tact for many hours. As stated above the majority of men cannot practice it successful1y due to lack of self control. This method is, therefore, not as commonly used as other methods are. Moreover, if frequently used, it leads to congestion of sex organs and other nervous and physical troubles.
Use of Sponge or Plug
This is considered the oldest method used by the female for avoiding conception. A small round piece of sponge of good quality is taken and a silken thread is tied to it. This thread facilitates the removal of the sponge after use. These days rubber sponges with strings attached to them are also available in the market. The sponge is dipped in alum lotion or ordinary water for a short time and then the water is squeezed out. 1t is then inserted in the vagina as deep as possible just before the sexual intercourse so that the mouth of the uterus is covered by this. If a sponge is not readily available, a silken hand kerchief rolled up into a ball or a plug of cotton-wool can also be used for this purpose.
This method is neither harmful nor causes any hindrance in the union and movements of sexual organs, but the main defect in it is that it is not very reliable as some of the semen may remain in the vagina even after the removal of the sponge. This defect can, however. be removed if the sponge is soaked in olive oil or a spermicidal or if it is smeared with contraceptive jelly before use, It is always better if the sponge is not removed and is allowed to remain in its position till the following morning. Use of a dutch before removal of the sponge or plug is also recommended.
After use, the sponge should be washed with soap and water and then immerse in some antiseptic solution. Thereafter, it may be squeezed and kept carefully for use in future.
Use of a Rubber Check Pessary or a Duteh Cap
A chcck-pessary is made of rubber just like a small cap and fits on the neck of the uterus or the cervix as a thimble fits on to the finger. Thus it keeps the spermatozoa away from the uterus. Just like the sponge, a silken tape is also tied to the pessary to facilitate its removal after use.
In the case of a check pessary, it is very necessary that it must be placed in such a way that it covers the cervix. Like french leather, the rubber check pessary is also available in three sizes-large, medium and small. The large size usually fits those who have given birth to a number of children, the medium size ususally fits those who have had one or two deliveries and the small one is meant for females who have not given birth to any child. It may be inserted in the vagina and pushed forward by a finger so that it covers the cervix and its rim tightly clings to the skin. Generally the technique of fitting the pessary and other details regarding its use are enclosed by the manufacturers in the card board packing which contains it. Like the sponge, the use of the pessary offers the minimum interference with the union and movements of sexual organs. It is recommended that before fitting up a pessary. a little spermicidal jelly should be placed in its bowl. This will avoid the chances, if any, of the active spermatozoa to get into the uterus from under the rim of the pessary. Thus, if a check pessary of the right size is properly uses in combination with a spermicidal jelly, as explained above, the chances of conception taking place become very remote. As in the ca'\c of the sponge, it is better if the check pessary is allowed to remain in its place till the next morning still better if a douche is used before its removal.
In certain cases, the check pessary cannot be fitted properly because of a different kind of the formation of the neck of the uterus. Also some persons find it difficult to master the technique of fitting up a check pessary. In such cases the use of a 'Dutch Cap' is recommended. Its method on use is illustrated on pages 139-142.
Like the check pessary, the Dutch cap is made of India rubber. It is circular in shape and looks like a shallow cup. It is manufactured in various sizes and the size which will fit the woman for whom it is intended should be purchased. It is generally inserted in the vagina with its concave side, that is, the hollow side facing outwards. But it does not make: much difference even if it is inserted in the reverse order. The object of using a dutch cap is to block up the whole of the vaginal passage just in front of the neck of the uterus. Another advantage of this cap is that it can be used by those women whose uterus is too deep and cannot be approached by a finger. Douching before its removal and use of a spermicidal chemical along with it is recommended for making this method a success.
Chemical Methods
All the methods described so far act by virtue of their offering a mechanical hindrance to the union of the spermatozoa and the ovum. It seems necessary to give in this book some information about the chemical methods, which aim at the destruction or removal of the spermatozoa after entry into the vagina. Some such chemical is always used which is strong enough to kill the spermatozoa but which at the same time does not injure the cells of the- vaginal and uterine walls. These chemicals are introduced in the vagina in the form of soluble pessaries or ointments, pastes and jellies. The most common chemical used in them is quinine which can be tolerated by many women. The soluble pessaries melt in a few minutes after insertion in the vagina and the spermicidal chemicals spread over the vaginal and uterine walls. Amongst the pastes and jellies, the non-greasy jelly which contains lactic acid is considered the best of all because lactic acid which have a strong action on spermatozoa does not harm the vaginal mucous membrane.
The usual chemical contraceptives are generally not injurious but if their ingredients happen to be very strong or the woman applying them is very sensitive to any of them, they might injure the tissues or cause some irritation to them. It is advisable, therefore, to use only such chemicals as have mild and harmless ingredients. Besides, the use of chemical preparations is not a very reliable method of avoiding conception. These, however, leave a useful purpose when employed in combination with any of the mechanical methods already mentioned.
