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Abstract Family physicians provide contraceptive counseling to a significant number of patients each year. Knowledge of the wide variety of contraceptive methods and barriers to the use of some of these methods is important in helping each patient make an appropriate choice. Oral contraceptive pills (OCPs), male condoms, and female sterilization are the contraceptive methods most commonly used. Traditional methods of contraception have some drawbacks. Consequently, patient dissatisfaction and inconsistent or incorrect use may result in unintended pregnancy. For example, the success of OCPs, the most widely used reversible contraceptive method, is highly dependent on daily adherence. Contraceptive method effectiveness is defined as its potential in minimizing the risk for unintended pregnancy, particularly among women for whom an unintended pregnancy would pose additional health risks. The effectiveness of contraceptive methods depends both on the inherent effectiveness of the method itself and on how consistently and correctly it is used. Methods that depend on consistent and correct use have a wide range of effectiveness Each method of contraception used in the primary health care settings, havedocumented advantages, efficacy, disadvantages and contraindications to use of each and the role of family medicine physician arises in counseling, education of women of the suitable method of contraception, and referral to a gynecologist for continuing care and working in collaboration with the medical specialists for effective follow. |