The Whole Truth About Contraception: A Guide to Safe and Effective Choices [Paperback]

Beverly, MD, MPH Winikoff (Author), Suzanne Wymelenberg (Author), A Joseph Henry Press book (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2, 1997

What birth control method is most reliable? Can contraceptives protect me from AIDS? How can I choose the method that's best for me? Finding the answers to these and other questions about birth control can be tough. On the one hand, today's sexually active person has many contraceptive options. On the other hand, each option has pluses and minuses that must be weighed. For teenagers especially, asking questions about birth control can be awkward and difficult. Yet teenagers may be in greatest need of the facts. While there is no "right" method for everyone, "The Whole Truth About Contraception" is the right book for anyone making decisions about contraception - men and women, from teenagers to middle-agers.It illustrates male and female anatomy and explains how conception occurs. The book carefully describes the birth control methods available today: barrier (such as condoms and diaphragms), hormonal (the Pill and Norplant), intrauterine devices, surgical sterilization, and other approaches such as the "rhythm" method and breastfeeding as a contraceptive. For each method the authors discuss how well it prevents pregnancy, its potential effects on the user's health, and common problems. Illustrated "how to" sections are provided, and the authors comment on how each method typically affects sexual experience. The book also discusses how birth control products can be obtained and their cost.Precautions, tips on usage, and other features throughout the book will help each reader decide what type of contraception is best for his or her age, personal preferences, and situation in life. "The Whole Truth About Contraception" gives up-to-date information on new products, such as the female condom and the nonlatex male condom. The book provides details about contraception and sexually transmitted diseases, with an emphasis on AIDS. Also offered is an expanded discussion of "emergency" contraception, designed for use after unprotected sex. The book includes a full and factual discussion of abortion. Contraception may be the most important and deeply personal choice anyone has to make. This book provides the straight facts that will make the decision easier - and the results better for everyone.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

To make an informed decision about contraceptives, one needs accurate, current data about the available methods. This book, a revised edition of The Contraceptive Handbook (Consumer Reports, 1992) by the same authors, provides the latest information about all forms of contraception and their safety, effectiveness, and side effects. The authors discuss male and female reproductive anatomy and physiology as well as barrier, hormonal, intrauterine, surgical, and natural methods. They include the new female condom, emergency postcoital contraception, and low-dose pills. Abortion and birth control while breast-feeding are also covered. Including information about cost, the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, choosing practitioners, and the proper use of the various methods makes this an extremely useful source. An extensive bibliography of scientific and lay literature appears as well. More current and less technical than the latest edition of Contraceptive Technology (Irvington, 1994. 16th ed.); highly recommended for all collections.?Barbara M. Bibel, Oakland P.L., Cal.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Book Description

What birth control method is most reliable? Can contraceptives protect me from AIDS? How can I choose the method that's best for me? Finding the answers to these and other questions about birth control can be tough. On the one hand, today's sexually active person has many contraceptive options. On the other hand, each option has pluses and minuses that must be weighed.
For teenagers especially, asking questions about birth control can be awkward and difficult. Yet teenagers may be in greatest need of the facts.
While there is no "right" method for everyone, The Whole Truth About Contraception is the right book for anyone making decisions about contraception--men and women, from teenagers to middle-agers. It illustrates male and female anatomy and explains how conception occurs. The book carefully describes the birth control methods available today: barrier (such as condoms and diaphragms), hormonal (the Pill and Norplant), intrauterine devices, surgical sterilization, and other approaches such as the "rhythm" method and breastfeeding as a contraceptive.
For each method the authors discuss how well it prevents pregnancy, its potential effects on the user's health, and common problems. Illustrated "how to" sections are provided, and the authors comment on how each method typically affects sexual experience. The book also discusses how birth control products can be obtained and their cost.
Precautions, tips on usage, and other features throughout the book will help each reader decide what type of contraception is best for his or her age, personal preferences, and situation in life.
The Whole Truth About Contraception gives up-to-date information on new products, such as the female condom and the nonlatex male condom. The book provides details about contraception and sexually transmitted diseases, with an emphasis on AIDS.
Also offered is an expanded discussion of "emergency" contraception, designed for use after unprotected sex. The book includes a full and factual discussion of abortion.
Contraception may be the most important and deeply personal choice anyone has to make. This book provides the straight facts that will make the decision easier--and the results better for everyone.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Joseph Henry Press (September 2, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 030905494X
• ISBN-13: 978-0309054942
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,000,663 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Detailed guide to birth control methods currently available, December 1, 2000

By 

Azlan Adnan - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Whole Truth About Contraception: A Guide to Safe and Effective Choices (Paperback)

What birth control method is most reliable? Can contraceptives protect me from AIDS? How can I choose the method that's best for me? Finding the answers to these and other questions about birth control can be tough. On the one hand, today's young couples have many contraceptive options. On the other hand, each option has pluses and minuses that must be weighed.

This book is a detailed guide to the methods of birth control currently available, plus a brief review of new methods being developed. Each chapter describes a specific method and provides information to help you choose a contraceptive suited to you and your current situation. Chapters discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each contraceptive, safety concerns, general effectiveness, side effects, costs, and how to obtain and use it.

As you think about the birth control options available to you, remember no single method may be ideal or totally reliable. Furthermore, many contraceptives have some side effects and most require a certain amount of care in their use. To choose the right one for you, be thoughtful about the disadvantages as well as the advantages. If you are comfortable with your birth control choice, you are more likely to use it every time and to stick with it. If possible, the decision about what method to choose should be made with your spouse. As this guide demonstrates, it is much easier to use a contraceptive correctly when both of you are involved.

This guide includes up-to-date information on new products, such as the female condom and the non-latex male condom. Only birth control methods that are currently available or show every promise of being available soon are discussed.

The book also provides details about contraception and its relation to sexually transmitted diseases, with an emphasis on AIDS. Also offered is an expanded discussion of "emergency" contraception, designed for use after unprotected sex. Many of the methods discussed in this guide require a visit to a health practitioner as such at family planning services, independent clinics and hospitals.

Although clearly intended for someone planning to use a contraceptive method, this book is detailed enough to be useful to nurses and youth counselors interested in the subject. Whether you intend to have children or not, every newlywed couple owes it to themselves and their loved ones to read this book.

Reviewed by Azlan Adnan. Azlan is Managing Partner of Azlan & Koh Knowledge and Professional Management, an education and management consulting practice based in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysian Borneo. He holds a Master's degree in International Business and Management from the Westminster Business School in London.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars INFORMATIVE, November 29, 2000

By 

[e-mail] (Kota Kinabalu, Malaysian Borneo) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Whole Truth About Contraception: A Guide to Safe and Effective Choices (Paperback)

What birth control method is most reliable? Can contraceptives protect me from AIDS? How can I choose the method that's best for me? Finding the answers to these and other questions about birth control can be tough. On the one hand, today's young couples have many contraceptive options. On the other hand, each option has pluses and minuses that must be weighed.

This book is a detailed guide to the methods of birth control currently available, plus a brief review of new methods being developed. Each chapter describes a specific method and provides information to help you choose a contraceptive suited to you and your current situation. Chapters discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each contraceptive, safety concerns, general effectiveness, side effects, costs, and how to obtain and use it.

As you think about the birth control options available to you, remember no single method may be ideal or totally reliable. Furthermore, many contraceptives have some side effects and most require a certain amount of care in their use. To choose the right one for you, be thoughtful about the disadvantages as well as the advantages. If you are comfortable with your birth control choice, you are more likely to use it every time and to stick with it. If possible, the decision about what method to choose should be made with your spouse. As this guide demonstrates, it is much easier to use a contraceptive correctly when both of you are involved.

This guide includes up-to-date information on new products, such as the female condom and the non-latex male condom. Only birth control methods that are currently available or show every promise of being available soon are discussed.

The book also provides details about contraception and its relation to sexually transmitted diseases, with an emphasis on AIDS. Also offered is an expanded discussion of "emergency" contraception, designed for use after unprotected sex. Many of the methods discussed in this guide require a visit to a health practitioner as such at family planning services, independent clinics and hospitals.

Although clearly intended for someone planning to use a contraceptive method, this book is detailed enough to be useful to nurses and youth counselors interested in the subject. Whether you intend to have children or not, every newlywed couple owes it to themselves and their loved ones to read this book.

Reviewed by Azlan Adnan. Formerly Business Development Manager with KPMG, Azlan is currently Managing Partner of Azlan & Koh Knowledge and Professional Management Group, an education and management consulting practice based in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysian Borneo. He holds a Master's degree in International Business and Management from the Westminster Business School in London.