MYTHS AND MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT CONTRACEPTIVES
THE INJECTION
The injection makes you fat
All contraceptions with progesterone can increase appetite. Because of this some women can become nibly and eat all sorts of fatty foods. This can cause you to gain weight. You gain weight because of what you eat and not because of the injection.
The injection makes you infertile
The injection can delay the return of your normal periods and therefore fertility. It can take 6 to 9 months before your periods can be normal after stopping the injection.
I need to see my period every month
The progesterone in the injection inhibits the build up of the lining of the uterus. When you are on the injection your body does not make a period and you therefore do not have periods. It is not dangerous and there is not any blood collecting somewhere in your body.
Headaches, moodswings, loss of libido (sex drive)
These side effects may occur when using the injection but they happen so rarely that it is seldom necessary to discontinue use.
THE PILL
The chemicals in the pill is bad for you
The pill has estrogen and progesterone. They are normal female hormones that are present in your body and responsible for all your female characteristics. The estrogen and progesterone in the pill are made in a laboratory but they are changed inside your body to the normal hormones your body know and respond to.
Most pills will help for the following:
- Acnee
- Irregular periods
- Lumpy breasts
- Painful periods
- Cancer in the uterus
- Fibroids
- Very heavy periods
- Cancer of the ovaria
- Cysts of the ovaria
- Bladder infections
- In other words, the pill can be very good for you.
The pill makes you fat
All contraceptions with progesterone in can increase appetite. Because of this some women can become nibly and eat all sorts of fatty foods. This can cause you to gain weight. You gain weight because of what you eat and not because of the contraceptive.
THE IUD
It causes ectopic pregnancy
The risk to ectopic pregnancy in women with a Mirena in is lower compared to women who use no contraceptive.
It causes infections
Microorganisims cause infections and not intra uterine devices.
Cannot be used by teenagers
There is no lower age limit and it can be used by sexually active women of all ages.
THE MIRENA
It causes continuous bleeding
The Mirena changes the bleeding pattern. Initially it can be irregular but after a few months is becomes less and will go away.
It causes ectopic pregnancy
The risk to ectopic pregnancy in women with a Mirena in is lower compared to women who use no contraceptive.
It causes infertility
There is no delay in return to fertility after removal.
Tubal infertility is caused mainly by Clamidya infections
It causes infections
Microorganisims cause infections and not intra uterine devices.
Cannot be used by teenagers
There is no lower age limit and it can be used by sexually active women of all ages.
It is expensive
The current price is R31 per month over a 60 months period.
CONTRAINDICATIONS TO THE USE OF CONTRACEPTIVES
You should not use the pill if:
- You are pregnant
- Have undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
- Your periods stay away and no diagnosis for this has been made
- Have cancer of the breast or endometrium (Lining of the uterus)
- Have a personal or family history of heart problems
- Get migraine headaches
- Suffer from liver disease
- Have any of the following blood disorders;
- Polycythaemia
- Sickle-cell anaemia
- Leukaemia
You should not use the injection if:
- You are pregnant
- You have vaginal bleeding of an unknown cause
- You want to use short-term contraception
- You have liver problems
- You get migraine headaches
- You have uncontralled diabetes
- You suffer from depression
- You have porphyria
You should not use the IUD if:
- You are pregnant
- You have vaginal bleeding with an undiagnosed cause
- You have a perlvic infection
- You suspect you have cancer of the cervix of uterus
- You had a previous ectopic pregnancy
- You are HIV positive
Author: Dr Tersia Cruywagen
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