DO not get confused on which method to use for your family planning or contraception. A comprehensive listing of available types of family planning and contraceptive methods in Nigeria with advantages, disadvantages and side effects of each method have been listed below to help you make an informed decision. Broadly family planning and contraceptive method in Nigeria have been divided into:
Hormonal contraceptive
Intrauterine Contraceptive methods
Voluntary surgical Contraceptives
Barrier Method of Contraceptive
Natural Family Planning method
HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVES The following hormonal methods of family planning and contraception are commonly available in Nigeria:
Combined oral contraceptives (COCs);
Ordinary pills ( common )
Progestin-only contraceptive pills (POPs);
Emergency Contraceptives
– Progestrine pills (not common)
Injectable contraceptives
Contraceptive implants(Jadelle, Implanon, Zarin)
Hormone-releasing intrauterine systems (LNG20-IUS)
Dedicated products for emergency contraception
These methods of contraception are less commonly available in Nigeria:
Combined injectable contraceptives (see Injectable Contraceptives below).
Combined contraceptive (skin) patch (Evra),
Combined vaginal contraceptive ring (NuvaRing), which releases a daily dose of hormone when the ring is placed high up in the vagina.
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The site focuses primarily on the family planning and contraceptive methods that are commonly available in Nigeria.
INTRAUTERINE CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES (IUCD)
IUCD is a type of family planning method contraceptive method in which a flexible device is inserted into the through the virgina into the uterine cavity by a trained service provider. It is a safe highly effective and long lasting type of contraceptive method
There are two broad categories of intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCDs):
Copper-based IUCDs
Hormone-releasing devices. IUCDs
VOLUNTARY SURGICAL CONTRACEPTION Voluntary Surgical Contraception (VSC) type of family planning method includes female and male sterilization procedures41 that are intended to provide permanent contraception. As such, special care must be taken to assure that every client who chooses this method does so voluntarily and is fully informed about the permanence of this method and the availability of alternative, long-acting, highly effective methods.
Tubal ligation
Vasectomy
BARRIER METHODS OF CONTRACEPTION Barrier family planning and contraceptive methods prevent the sperm from gaining access to the upper reproductive tract (high up in the vargina) and making contact with the egg. These methods include
male and female condoms,
Spermicides
Diaphragms
Cervical caps
NATURAL METHOD It is called natural because it does not involve use of drug or device it is purely natural the following are the available natural family planning methods
Withdrawal method (coitus interrupters)
Safe period (rhythm method)
Breastfeeding amenorrhea method
Cervical mucus membrane
Basal body temperature (BBT) method
Symto thermal method
ORDINARY CONTRACEPTIVE PILLS
pills
General information
There are two types of pills here in Nigeria
Combined Oral Contraceptive pills i.e contains oestrogen and progesterone (common in Nigeria)
Progesterone Only pill i.e contain only progesterone ( new in Nigeria , have listed it because it fall under pills but otherwise it should be listed under Progesterone Only Contraceptives
Combined Oral Contraceptive pills
Being that they are the most common they are commonly called pills
The Pill comes in packets of 21 or 28 tablets. In the 28-pill packet,only the first 21 pills are active pills (i.e., they contain hormones).The remaining seven pills are not active and usually contain iron.
Common examples include Microgynon, Lo-Femenal, Nordette, Marvelon, and Yasmin
Other example include Logynon, Trinordial, Biphasil, Ovanon, and Normovlar.
Advantages of “pills” Combined oral Contraceptives
Pills are highly effective when used properly
Pills are safe for the majority of women.
Pills are easy to use.
Pills can be provided by trained non-clinical service providers.
A pelvic exam is not required to initiate use pills
Health Benefits of “ Pills “ Combined Oral Contraceptives ( COCs )
Ordinary pills can be used to treat acne
2- Ordinary pills in improvement and prevention of anaemia
3- Ordinary pills can be used in treatment of painful periods
4- Ordinary pill can be used for treatment of Irregular cycles
Apart from contraception ‘’ pills” COCs also have other significant health benefits. In some cases, they are used purely for these benefits, even where contraception is not required. For example, COCs are frequently prescribed to alleviate
Menstrual disorders, including dysmenorrhoea (painful periods),
Irregular cycles
Premenstrual mood syndrome.
To treat acne or hirsutism,
Reduction of menstrual flow (lighter, shorter periods)
Improvement and prevention of anaemia
Protection against ovarian and endometrial cancer
Possible protection from symptomatic pelvic inflammatory
disease
Side Effects and Limitations of “ pills “ Combined Oral Contraceptives( COCs )
Effectiveness of pills might be decreased when taken concurrently with certain drugs (e.g., certain anti- tuberculosis, anti-epileptic, and antiretroviral drugs).
Effectiveness could be lowered in the presence of gastroenteritis, severe vomiting, and diarrhoea.
Pills do not prevent STls, hepatitis B, HIV.
Minor side effects include the following:
• Nausea (more common in the first three months)
• Spotting or bleeding in between menstrual periods, especially if a woman forgets to take her pills or takes them late (more common in the first three months)
• Mild headaches
• Breast tenderness
• Slight weight gain
• Mood change.
