Birth control

Birth control, prevention of conception in order to avert unwanted births. There are various contraceptive, or birth-control, devices, including condoms, spermicidal jellies, diaphragms, intrauterine devices, and pills taken by women. Surgical sterilization (for men: vasectomy; for women: tubal ligation) is also possible. Diverse methods of birth control have become increasingly widespread in the 20th century, especially in industrialized countries.