CONTRACEPTION

Family Planning / Contraception BY APPOINTMENT ONLY 8:30 AM

Many people are VERY uninformed about contraception. Many people believe that if you use contraception for a long time you will not be able to get pregnant. It is absolutely bogus. It totally depends on WHICH contraceptive options you are on….. you get lots! There are some funny stories we have heard and people believe with all their heart that is true…. You get contraception that stops ovulation, contraception that only kills the sperms, contraception that thins the uterine wall, contraception that only keeps the uterine wall thin AND stops ovulation, others make the cervix’s mucus thick so that the sperms cannot swim through and so we can go on……….. Taking the morning after pill every time as contraception to use is NOT THE BEST OPTION. By the way, this is NOT a contraceptive option!! On the contrary, it is less effective than going on 100% correct contraception. So our advice is, if having children is NOT an option, PLEASE COME SEE US, we are qualified in family planning to see which options will suit YOU best. Because what works for the lady next door in the street is not necessarily going to work for YOU.

Not every woman ovulates on day 14. Ovulation is between day 11 and 18. Not every woman’s cycle is 28 days. Some women’s is 23 days. Other women is 35 days. Be careful asking for advice like that on social media. Instead, ask professional people who really have knowledge and experience.

We offer a full range of family planning services including:

Hormonal contraceptives

  • Oral contraceptive methods (The pill)   R130.00 for a 6 month prescription
    • Oral contraceptives suppresses ovulation to prevent pregnancy
    • Emergency contraception also available from our clinic. R100
  • Injectables : R180 Injectables suppress ovulation. We determine during a consultation the two-monthly of three-monthly will be suitable to the client.

Mirena insertion at the clinic is R1700 excluding Device, prescription is supplied to purchase at a pharmacy. Device cost is R3970 at the pharmacy

This is an intra uterine system that is effective for 5 years. It is the most reliable, reversible contraceptive on the market today. As a side effect the menstrual periods will become irregular after insertion and over time go away for as long as the Mirena is in place. This can be regarded as the Rolls Royce of contraceptives.

Kyleena insertion at the clinic R1700 excluding Device. Prescription is supplied to purchase device at a pharmacy. Device cost at the pharmacy is R3970

The Kyleena is the new model from the Mirena. The hormonal dosage is much lower than the Mirena and the T-shaped intrauterine delivery system is smaller than the Mirena. Making the system better suited for the younger generation that is not ready to start a family. Low hormone dose (progestin only) released in womb, acts mainly locally. Kyleena is effective for 5 years and can be removed at any time.

IUCD (Loop / Copper T) insertion R1900 including the device at the clinic

The intra uterine contraceptive device reduces chances of fertilization and prevents implantation. It needs to be inserted by trained personnel and can last for 10 years. The main side effect of the IUCD is longer and heavier periods.

Once you stop using Long Acting Contraception your fertility will return to normal so you can start a family when you decide you’re ready.

 

Which method of birth control will suit you best?

The best contraceptive in the world would be cheap, 100% reliable, comfortable and really easy to use. Unfortunately, no such method exists so let’s take a look at the options.

The two that come closest and which are used most often are the pill and the condom. Often, they are used together to:

A) prevent an unwanted pregnancy

B) Protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

What to look for in birth control?

  • Reliability :  When you are young, pregnancy is usually highly undesirable so reliability/effectiveness will be top of your list
  • Suitability : Whatever you use, it must suit your body chemistry and life-style and not be so messy or complicated that it will put you off using it.
  • Cost :  The price of your chosen method varies and is sometimes a factor, but you have to weigh this against the heartbreak of an unwanted pregnancy. Some countries offer certain types of birth control for free, so speak to us for more information.
  • Health risks :  These must be considered with the help of our doctor and professional nurses as only they have the specialist knowledge to decide whether the pill, for example, carries health risks for you.
  • Your partner :  Is he willing to co-operate fully with the method you plan to use? Sex involves two parties and both should make the decision about which method to use.  If your boyfriend has had unprotected sex with other girls and does not want to wear a condom, you may want to reconsider how he feels about you?

MYTHS AND MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT CONTRACEPTIVES

THE INJECTION

The injection makes you fat

All contraception 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 therefor 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 therefor do not have periods. It is not dangerous and there is not any blood collecting somewhere in your body.

Headaches, mood swings, 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:

  • Acne
  • Irregular periods
  • Lumpy breasts
  • Pain full 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 contraception’s with progesterone in can increase appetite. Because of this some women can become hungry 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 IUD in,  is lower compared to women who use no contraceptive.

It causes infections

Microorganism’s 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/ KYLEENA

It causes continuous bleeding

The Mirena/Kyleena changes the bleeding pattern. Initially it can be irregular but after a few months is becomes less and will go away. Sometimes the bleeding can be heavier at first but will become less and eventually go away between 3 to 6 months.

It causes ectopic pregnancy

The risk to ectopic pregnancy in women with a Mirena/Kyleena 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

Microorganism’s 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 not expensive

Broken down the current price is R55 per month over a 60 months (5 years) period that the device lasts.

CONTRAINDICATIONS TO THE USE OF CONTRACEPTIVES

You should not use the pill if:

  • You are pregnant
  • If you are a smoker
  • 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;
    • Polycythemia
    • Sickle-cell anemia
    • Leukemia

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 uncontrolled 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 pelvic infection
  • You suspect you have cancer of the cervix or uterus
  • You had a previous ectopic pregnancy
  • You are HIV positive