Contraception

The term, 'contraception' derives from the Latin 'contra', which means 'against', and the word 'conception', which is the non-technical term for fertilization.
'Contraception' may be used to refer merely to the prevention of fertilization, but it is more commonly used to refer to the means employed to avoid fertilization. When referring to a means of prevention, it is synonymous with contraceptive birth control. Any procedure or device which would keep a sperm cell from fertilizing the egg, therefore, can be considered to be contraception.
Contrasted with Other Birth Control
Birth control can refer to anything which would prevent childbirth. Methods of birth control can be classified by the stage of reproduction which is achieved before the process is brought to a halt. If a form of birth control seeks to prevent the sperm from fertilizing the egg, then it is contraceptive. If fertilization has already occurred, but the form of birth control seeks to prevent the implantation of the embryo into the uterine lining, then it is a contragestive. Just as a contraception is the avoidance of conception, contragestion is the avoidance of gestation. If implantation has already occurred, but the form of birth control seeks to end gestation by terminating the pregnancy prior to birth, then it is an abortion.
* Contraception: contraceptives prevent the sperm from fertilizing the egg
* Contragestion: contragestives prevent implantation after fertilization has occurred or by causing the uterine lining to shed after implantation.
* Abortion: after implantation has occurred, abortifacients terminate the pregnancy before it comes to term

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