rubber, making condom use unsuitable for them. Other forms of contraception require the woman to insert them into her vagina the right way, such as vaginal rings, diaphragms and cervical caps and some women prefer not to insert anything any- where. Other women are simply terrified of needles, making that three-monthly trip for the injectable a nightmare. Cor- rect use is pertinent for efficiency of the method but if you are not psychologically prepared to use it for the long haul, failure is almost inevitable.


HEALTH FACTORS Some contraception methods


are not suitable for women with risk factors of certain health conditions. Hor- monal contraception has major side-effects on the cardiovascular system. Tere is evidence that they can exacerbate haemorrhagic stroke,


emboli, high blood pressure and hyperlipidemia. Although controversial they have also been linked to increased chances of breast and liver cancer with prolonged use. Te effectiveness of Te Pill is re- duced when you take some anti-diabetic, ARVs, anti-epileptic or anti-TB drugs concurrently. Also if you have had a history of ectopic pregnancy or previous pelvis inflam- matory disease it is not advisable to get an IUD.


HOW WOULD AN UNPLANNED PREGNANCY AFFECT YOUR LIFE? Maureen Araba, 34, has been married for two years. She is about to complete a master’s programme, which she jug- gled to pursue with a busy work schedule. On being asked which method she and her husband employed, she said she uses natural methods such as Safe Days. “If I were to get pregnant now, it would not be a disaster,” she says. Having a baby has financial implications, among others. A school-going girl who is being supported by strict parents may have to think se- riously about preventing pregnancy. Assess the support you have around you and gauge how severely you have to employ measures to prevent pregnancy.


SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS


Te only sure way to prevent most of these is to use the condom, male or female. Do not use them at the same time! HIV is still very real. It doesn’t matter how many


years you have been together, you can still get HIV. Recent reports confirm that HIV is being transmitted mostly between married couples. Rethink tradition.


DO YOU WANT BIOLOGICAL CHILDREN IN FUTURE?


Permanent methods such as female or male sterilisation have been proven to be the most effective way to prevent preg- nancy (besides abstinence, of course). Te downer is their irreversibility. Today, you may be sure you do not want any children, then tomorrow meet Prince Charming of the ‘football-team’ family notion. Grace Mabe had her tubes tied aſter five children, aged 40. A year later she conceived and although the pregnancy was not without complications, she managed to deliver a healthy baby girl, Unami. When a woman has achieved her desired number of chil- dren, it is wise to undergo sterilisation, but to be more effective combine it with male sterilisation, too.


YOUR SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR


Do you have multiple sexual partners? Be honest. If so you will need to protect yourself from more than just pregnancy. Sexually transmitted


infections are more likely in people with more than one partner. Use the condom. Long gone are the days when women did not carry condoms in their bags or were too shy to buy them over the counter alongside bread and milk. Take hold of your reproductive health!


RELIGIOUS AND MORAL VALUES Some people’s beliefs prevent them from using commercially advertised methods. Ethical values and culture may deter- mine they have to employ natural family planning methods. Tese include Fertil- ity Awareness Methods such as Safe Days (seven days before and aſter your period starts is safe), lactational amenorrhea (sim- ply breast-feeding) or Basal Body Tempera- ture to mention a few. If you are going to rely on these methods you need to be an expert on your body. Study the menstrual cycle and know what is happening when.


ADDITIONAL BENEFITS Some contraceptive methods have ben- efits other than preventing pregnancy. For example, Te Combined Pill reduces the risk of ovarian and uterine cancer. It can also lessen the symptoms of pre- menstrual syndrome (you know the one where you cry and laugh at the same time) and can improve acne is some women. Progesterone Only Pills lessen cramps and menstrual bleeding. I will emphasize that the contraceptive


suitable for you now may not be suitable for you in a few years’ time. Te same woman may have different needs at differ- ent times. Ensure you sit down with your doctor (preferably not on the bus) and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each method. Consider the issues dis- cussed above and make a well-informed decision for better health, increased edu-


cational and economic opportunities and for a generally better quality of life.


WINTER 2011 | NEW AFRICAN WOMAN | 85


“It is time women put their reproductive health first and make wise choices for a brighter future with minimum regret”


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