Nowadays, sexually active women have been advised to adopt family planning to prevent unwanted pregnancies. This recommendation is particularly relevant given Nigeria’s harsh economic realities. For instance, when a woman with no stable income has three or more children, it’s concerning to consider how she will provide for them. While some individuals argue that family planning is safe, others claim it poses significant risks. In this report, Omowumi Abraham explores the effects of family planning.
Hormonal family planning methods require women to take pills, injections, or use an Intrauterine Device (IUD) or implants, such as Implanon. Non-hormonal methods, on the other hand, do not involve hormones and include the use of condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps, and vasectomy for men. Natural family planning methods involve monitoring ovulation, tracking safe periods, and practicing abstinence. Notably, individuals who practice celibacy are essentially using natural family planning by abstaining from sex.
While these have worked, some women have taken to their pages to share their unpleasant experience.
A Registered Nurse and Public Health Consultant, Nancy Umeh shared with BBC her challenges with family planning.
Nancy, a patient with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), experienced a surprise pregnancy after marriage, giving birth to a baby girl. In less than five months, she became pregnant again, this time with twins. Tragically, she lost one of the twins during delivery. Given her rapid consecutive pregnancies, Nancy decided to opt for family planning to prevent future unplanned pregnancies.
Unaware of the impending struggles, Nancy followed her doctor’s advice and opted for Implanon. However, she soon found herself bleeding for three consecutive months. “The bleeding was non-stop, accompanied with severe mood swings, a painful arm, and headaches,” she recounted. “When the symptoms became unbearable, my husband urged me to have it removed.”
Nancy’s struggles didn’t end there. It took another six months for her period to return. When it finally did, she and her husband tried to conceive again, but she faced difficulties getting pregnant. On her doctor’s advice, she adopted a healthy routine. “I started taking supplements, eating healthy, and trying to conceive,” she said. “We experienced multiple miscarriages before considering surrogacy. When I became exhausted, I had my eggs frozen. I even tried IVF, but unfortunately, it wasn’t successful.” This journey spanned seven years and Nancy welcomed her baby girl through surrogacy.
To corroborate Nancy’s story, Omolabake Sanyaolu recounted her experience. “I also had a terrible experience with Implanon that almost cause my life. I developed high blood pressure, with readings around 200, which was considered borderline. I could hear my heartbeat racing and was put on blood pressure medication.
“My husband insisted we go to the general hospital. After checking my blood pressure, the doctor asked if I was using any family planning method. I told him about the Implanon. He immediately advised me to remove it at the family planning unit, which I did.
I was asked to return for a check-up two weeks after removing the Implanon. To my surprise, my blood pressure had dropped to normal, and my period returned after two years.”
A Medical Practitioner, Obi Immaculate keeps educating women using her social media platform.
Addressing the dangers of family planning, she said hormonal method should be avoided by women who have hypertension, diabetes, heart condition and cancer. Stressing that if necessary, they should be under thorough supervision.
Ultimately, what works for one person may not work for another. Family planning methods can be unpredictable and may not suit everyone. There’s no guaranteed way to know if a method will work for you, and the risks and benefits are often evenly balanced. To minimize potential complications, considering natural methods can be a safer alternative.
