In many parts of Africa and Nigeria, you are told from an early age to stay away from sex, but not many times are people educated on how to avoid pregnancies if they are not ready. Family planning is almost like a sacred topic.
Family planning is simply deciding the number or spacing of children through different contraceptive methods, including natural planning, abstinence, hormonal birth control, etc…
The conversations around family planning have increased in recent times. The myths about family planning are being questioned, and people can call family planning what it is – a means to choose to live a better life. There are fewer stares at the mention of words like ‘pills,’ ‘IUDs,’ and ‘condoms.’ ‘Pulling out’ as a family planning method is getting the hard stare and frown it has always deserved.
Sadly, family planning and birth control are still not as widely received as they should be. WHO statistics show that while 75.7% of the global need for family planning was satisfied in 2019, only less than half of the need for family planning was met in Middle and Western Africa.
Breaking down these family planning myths will take us closer to bridging the gap they have caused. Here are some myths about family planning and birth control methods you should discard;
MYTH: Oral contraceptives cause cancer
FACT: Oral contraceptives, popularly known as birth control pills, are medications that change the levels of female sex hormones that control the body’s menstrual cycle. They inhibit ovulation and prevent sperm from penetrating the cervix, preventing pregnancy.
Contraceptives do not cause cancer. They can, however, increase the risk of some types of cancer over prolonged use. Observational studies have shown a small but significant increase in breast and cervical cancer risk for women who take combined oral contraceptives (oestrogen and progestogen). Studies also show the risks for endometrial, ovarian, and colorectal cancers are reduced. The risk of getting Ovarian Cancer for women who have taken contraceptives is lowered by 30 to 50%.
MYTH: IUDs prevent pregnancy by causing abortion
FACT: An IUD is an intrauterine device inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy by not allowing the sperm to fertilize the egg. They are long-term but reversible.
The belief that they prevent pregnancy by causing abortion is fallacious as they work primarily to prevent fertilization. They prevent the sperm from reaching the egg, so no fetus is formed or aborted. IUDs are the most effective birth control methods.
MYTH: Birth control causes weight gain
FACT: Research has shown no evidence that hormonal contraceptives can cause weight gain. In 2016, Cochrane reviewed 22 previous studies on the topic, revealed no link with weight gain, and found that the average user might only gain a few pounds.
MYTH: Birth control causes infertility
FACT: A 2011 study showed similarities in the pregnancy rates among previous users of hormonal birth control (IUDs, the pill, the patch, and the implant) and those who have never used any of them. After getting off the pill, it may take a few months for a woman’s menstrual cycle to normalize, but it does not affect fertility.
The spread of misinformation about family planning and birth control methods is harmful. The key to getting past the fears raised by these prevalent myths is to ignore them and keep your mind adequately informed.
Need to speak to a doctor? Click HERE.
