Why the need for more investments in family planning and contraceptives

CONTRACEPTIVE IMPLANT

The implant is a form of long-acting reversible contraception for women. An Implant is a small, flexible plastic tube containing hormones that doctors or nurses insert just under the skin, usually around the upper arm. The hormones delivered in this way can help protect against pregnancy for up to 5 years.

How Does It Work?

The implanted tube slowly releases low levels of the hormone progestin to prevent ovulation (the release of an egg during the monthly cycle). If a girl doesn't ovulate, she cannot become pregnant because there is no egg to be fertilized.

The progestin released by the device also thickens the mucus around the cervix. This helps prevent sperm from entering the uterus. The progestin also thins the lining of the uterus so that if the egg is fertilized, it may be less likely to attach to the wall of the uterus.

 

How Well Does It Work?

Implantable contraception is a very effective method of birth control. Over the course of 1 year, fewer than 1 out of 100 typical couples using the implant will have an accidental pregnancy meaning implants are more than 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.

 

What will I notice?

Your periods are likely to change. A few women have no periods, a few women have their normal periods, but most women have a change in bleeding pattern. This may be infrequent bleeding, frequent bleeding, light bleeding or heavy bleeding.
This is safe for your body and there are pills to treat this if it happens. Research has shown that about one woman in every seven who gets an implant has it removed because of bleeding problems.

 

Can I become pregnant after the implant is removed?

Your natural fertility will return as soon as you have the implant removed. If you get pregnant with the implant in place, and decide to continue with your pregnancy, the chance of having an abnormal baby is not increased. You will need to have the implant removed.

 

Who can have an implant inserted?

Almost every woman can have an implant inserted whatever her age. It is suitable for women who may forget pills, appointments for injections or who may have a medical reason that stops her using the combined pill.

 

Does it protect you from STDs?

Implantable contraception does not protect against STDs. Couples having sex must always use condoms along with implantable contraception to protect against STDs.

Do you know that Hepatitis B is also a sexually transmitted infection?

What is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a virus that affects the liver.

How do you get Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is found in certain bodily fluids of someone who has hepatitis B: semen (cum), vaginal fluid and blood.

You can get Hepatitis B if you have unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex with someone who has Hepatitis B.

CHLAMYDIA

What is chlamydia?

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. It can affect the cervix (the opening to the uterus), penis, rectum (inside your butt) and throat.

How do you get chlamydia?

1. Chlamydia is found in certain bodily fluids of someone who has chlamydia: semen (cum), vaginal fluid, and anal fluid.

2. You can get chlamydia from having unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex with someone who already has it.

3. You can get chlamydia if you share sex toys with someone who already has it and you don’t disinfect the toys or put a new condom on them each time a new person uses the toys.

4. A pregnant person with chlamydia can pass it on to their baby during vaginal delivery.

The Genesis of Pregnancy

We have had countless calls and messages from our cherished visitors requesting us to write on processes leading to pregnancy. Pregnancy, the process of procreation,the very process that had made it possible for us to communicate today. Sometimes I wonder, if not for pregnancy, the earth would have surely be a vacuum like outer space.

PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE (PID)

What Is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)?

You may have heard of pelvic inflammatory disease, or PID, but many people are not sure what it is. PID is a serious infection that harms a woman's reproductive organs. It develops when an infection spreads up from the vagina and cervix into the fallopien tubes, uterus and ovaries. It is usually caused by untreated chlamydia or gonorrhea. But it may be caused by other infections.

Pelvic inflammatory disease is common among women within child bearing age.

INTRA UTERINE DEVICE (IUD)

The intra uterine device (IUD) is a form of long-acting reversible contraception for women. It is made up of a small flexible device which is inserted in a woman's womb . It prevents pregnancy for

up to twelve (12) years but can be taken out any time the woman want to concieve. A woman's ability to become pregnant is restored once it is removed. It does not disturb you or your intercourse in any way.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The main way an IUD works is by preventing fertilisation of the egg.
The copper or the hormone from the IUD stops the sperm moving through the womb towards the egg.
Occasionally an egg is fertilised. The IUD then stops the egg settling (implanting) into the womb.

HOW EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT IS IUD?

Copper and hormone IUDs are at least 99% effective in preventing pregnancy - only one woman out of 100 will get pregnant each year.


WHAT WILL I NOTICE?
With a copper IUD, spotting, light bleeding, heavier or prolonged bleeding and pain with bleeding are common in the first three to six months of use. This usually improves with time.
With a hormone IUD (Mirena or Jaydess), for the first three to six months your periods may be lighter but longer and you may have some bleeding or spotting in between your periods.
After this, many women have lighter periods and some have no bleeding at all. This is safe for your body.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFIT OF USING AN IUD?

• Long acting - can stay in place for close to 12 years
• Reversible  - possible to get pregnant as soon as the IUD is removed.
• Very effective – at least 99%.
• Can be easily removed (by any doctor or Family Planning nurse) if you don’t like it or want to get pregnant.
• Does not affect breastfeeding.
• Does not interfere with sexual intercourse.
• No-one else needs to know you are using it.
• No evidence of an increased risk of cancer.
• Copper IUDs do not contain any hormones.
• Copper IUDs can also be used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse (emergency contraception).
• Hormone IUDs release a very small dose of hormone and most women have no side effects from this.