FAMILY PLANNING METHODS DO NOT CAUSE INFERTILITY, BUT WRONG APPLICATION OF CONDOM CAN CAUSE UNWANTED PREGNANCY, SAYS EXPERT

The family planning coordinator while speaking on the topic, ‘Understanding Family Planning: The Facts and the Myths, explained that family planning is affordable, safe and effective and even helps couples who may be having infertility problems to have children.

Penpushing also reports that, she pointed out that, negative myths and misconceptions about family planning are barriers to modern contraceptive use and can be corrected with adequate information, and on the social and economic benefits, she stressed that it benefits the whole family.

‘Because it will allow the mother to rest between pregnancies in order to regain her health and strength. By delaying the next pregnancy, she is able to spend quality time with each child. The father on the other hand will be able to provide for the family including financial needs. He will have quality time for his wife’.

‘This promotes a closer relationship between them and he will have less anxiety and stress. The children will feel loved as their parents will be able to give them good care and more attention. They will have better health and education opportunities.”

Penpushing further reports that, Ikeobi identified different family planning methods available as including childbirth spacing, pills, injectables, implant for 3-5 years; Intra-Uterine Device (IUD); male condom; female condom; exclusive breast feeding, bilateral tubal ligation and vasectomy.

The guest lecturer, however, noted  that though women on family planning can experience some side effects such as weight gain, headache especially those on hormonal, explaining that all these  are not signs of illness.

“Most side effects become less or stop within a short period. The client should go back to the service provider for help if the side effects bother them. The right method is the one that suits you”, she stated

Responding to questions from the participants, she opined that family planning does not regulate the number of children one can have, if patient is not on a permanent method, explaining that, “on withdrawal method there is 75% success if the man understands ovulation or period cycle’

‘This means that there is a 25% failure. Use of condom is important. It is not just about using the condoms. It is about wearing them properly. If you follow the right instructions, the condoms will not burst’.

Penpushing reports that, the Chairman of the Society, Lugard Ola-Raheem in his remark advised various stakeholders to intensify the awareness strategies particularly through the religious organizations and community associations, and also urged clerics to utilize their vast knowledge through the pulpit to sensitize fellow worshippers on maternal and the importance of child spacing for the wellbeing of all.