Undoubtedly birth control or family planning
or contraceptive has been with us since time
immemorial and it will still be with us. People
are very much aware that engaging in
unprotected sexual intercourse can lead to
pregnancy yet do go ahead meanwhile they
fear the possible outcome and when it
happens they say they are not ready to give
birth or be a father now.
Your two choices are ABSTAIN from sexual
intercourse completely or PROTECT
yourself when having sex by using a
contraceptive method.
I will just make an attempt to BRIEFLY
describe SOME of the contraceptives. This
write up WILL NOT GIVE ALL the
information but at least it will give you an
IDEA. You must also remember that since
we all DON'T HAVE THE SAME SYSTEM,
DIFFERENT PEOPLE REACT
DIFFERENTLY TO THESE THINGS.
1. ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE PILL
This comes in a sachet and it contain pills
with hormones which a woman will have to
take everyday same time. It stops ovulation
and thickens cervical mucus so sperms can
not pass through.
It can prevent ectopic pregnancy,
endometrial and ovarian cancer, ovarian
cysts, PID and benign breast disease. The
pill can also be used to correct menstrual
irregularities and it prevents anaemia.
There two main types which are combined
oral contraceptive and progestin only pill.
It does not protect against STIs. It require
users who are not forgetful.
2. THE INJECTABLES
These are injections given to a woman to
prevent her getting pregnant. There are 3
types and they are: Norigynon, Noristerat
and Depo provera...1, 2 and 3 months
respectively.
It stops ovulation and it also thickens the
cervical mucus to make it difficult for
sperms to pass through.
It can be used at any age, it prevents
ectopic pregnancy, uterine fibroids,
prevents ion deficiency.
It can cause some ladies to gain weight, it
does not protect against STIs and it is
most likely that for Depo especially, one will
not see her menses (this does not call for
worry because that is how it works)
Avoid unintended pregnancies or unplanned
pregnancies by taking charge of your
reproductive health.
3. JADELLE and IMPLANON
These are known as implants and are rods
or capsules inserted into the upper arm of a
female by surgically making a small incision
after making the place numb to ensure no
pain.
The jadelle has 2 rods and it prevents
pregnancy for a period of 5 years while the
implanon has only 1 rod and it prevents
pregnancy for a period of 3 years. The rod
is about the size of a matchstick and it is a
flexible plastic which contains artificial
hormones called progestogen.
Both of them can be removed anytime even
before the 5 or 3 years period.
It can cause no period, light period or heavy
period but all these does not mean it isn't
working. However, there are pills that can
correct the bleeding issues.
It prevents pregnancy but not Sexually
Transmitted Infections.
4. INTRAUTERINE CONTRACEPTIVE
DEVICE (IUCD)
The is a copper and plastic or all plastic
made contraceptive device without any
artificial hormones and is surgically inserted
into the womb to prevent pregnancy for a
period of 5 to 10 years (depending on type).
There is also Intrauterine System (IUS)
which contains hormones known as
progestogen.
It can be taken out anytime before the 5 or
10 year period.
With the copper made IUCD it is not
suitable for females who are allergic to
copper product, unhygienic ladies and ladies
with multiple sexual partners else it can
easily lead to infection. It may cause a
change in period or menstruation. The IUCD
is effective emmidiately after insertion.
It does not protect against Sexually
Transmitted Infections.
