FAMILY PLANNING: MISCONCEPTIONS

Last Saturday, September 26, 2015 was 2015 world contraception day, not much was said in all the local media.

 I was scrolling through the pages of several newspapers to read about contraceptive news even the local TV stations to my amazement did not make a single reference to contraception on that day.

When pregnancy is unintended, or when it happens too early in life, the consequences are far-reaching. It affects the woman, her family and her entire community.

Contraception allows people to decide, plan and attain their desired number of children, as well as determine the spacing of pregnancies.

The benefits of contraception are many. A woman’s ability to choose if and when to become pregnant has a direct impact on her health and wellbeing.

 By reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies, family planning and contraception can help to reduce the number of unsafe abortions – a significant cause of death amongst women.

The acceptance to family planning (contraceptive) service is generally low and unacceptable in Nigeria despite several strategies that are designed to increase the levels of acceptance among the populace. 

As a certified family planning provider, some of the barriers to the acceptance of contraceptives methods by our clients are mainly due to myths and misconceptions. 

These myths and misconceptions about contraceptives are highlighted below with the right facts/ statements to correct the wrong impressions the public have about contraception:

 Contraceptives will make one gain weight excessively.

A 2009 study in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that women using the injectable contraceptive shot gained an average of 11 pounds about 5kg and increased their body fat by 3.4 percent over three years, though they're not sure what caused this effect.

 Evidence based medicine does not support the fact that all contraceptives cause weight gain in women. For women who are afraid of weight gain, they are encouraged to have regular exercise, taking healthy meals, vegetables, fruits, water etc to help check the expected weight gain 

You don't need to be on birth control if you're breastfeeding.

This very common myth is totally false and probably to blame for many unplanned pregnancies. Breastfeeding exclusively (without supplementing with formula) can suppress the hormones from the pituitary gland that makes one ovulate thereby decreasing the fertility at this time.One can get pregnant if having unprotected sex. 

 Using a contraceptive for a long time will make it harder to get pregnant later.

For most contraceptives it is possible to get pregnant as soon as one stop taking/using them. This holds true for all methods of hormonal contraceptives (like the daily oral pill and implant) with the exception of the injectable contraceptive. 

For the injectable contraceptive it can take up to 6-9 months for all of the hormones in the injection to leave the body before fertility is restored. However, it's still possible to get pregnant during this time.

Once the family planning method is stopped, the fertility returns and the woman will be pregnant again.

Your body needs a break from birth control

The only reason for one to take a vacation from contraceptives is if planning to get pregnant. Other than that, you can stay on your chosen method of birth control for as long as you want.

 Birth control pills cause cancer.

There is no evidence to support the claim that hormonal contraceptives cause breast, cervical, or any other kind of cancer. In fact, studies show that women who use hormonal contraception have a lower risk of ovarian and uterine cancer.

Injectable change my mood or sex drive

Some women using the injectable report these complaints. This is not true, The great majority of injectable users do not report any such changes. Some women report that both their mood and sex drive improve because they are protected against an unwanted pregnancy.

Birth control pills cause high blood pressure

Birth control pills may increase blood pressure in some women. It's more likely to occur if the person is overweight, have had high blood pressure during pregnancy, have a family history of high blood pressure or have mild kidney disease.

The combination of birth control pills, obesity and cigarette use may be especially dangerous for women.

Make sure your doctor measures and records your blood pressure before prescribing the pill and have your blood pressure checked every month or 2 monthly.