Increased use of emergency pills by young ladies in Murang’a raises concerns

Murang’a,

Sunday, October 29, 2023

KNA by Bernard Munyao

A trend of increased use of emergency pills by youthful girls and young adult ladies in Murang’a is raising concerns among local medics.

One of local pharmacists Josephat Mwithari has noted teenagers and young adults have opted use of emergency contraceptives as a way of preventing unwanted pregnancies.

Mwithari feared that increased use of the levonorgestrel tablets commonly known as P2 without doctor’s prescription poses health risks to teenage girls.

“Demand for emergency pills by young ladies has gone up. Per week the quantity of P2 we sell is quite high. It's unfortunate since those using the pills don’t have a prescription from doctors.

“One needs a medical checkup before being advised the type of contraceptive to use but it seems our young people are not cognizant of this information,” noted the pharmacist.

Mwathari said despite the emergency pills offering a convenient immediate solution, they have short term and long-term negative impacts.

“Some of short-term side effects may include nausea, vomiting, headache, and occasional vaginal bleeding. On the long-term effects, the tablets can potentially cause hormonal imbalances.

“The P2 pills are recommended for those aged 16 years and above, and the users should consider advice from a doctor or health practitioner concerning the effects before they use the contraceptives.” Added the medic.

Mwithari also raised concerns over the pattern where some individuals use the emergency pills several times within a week. “It is recommended the P2 contraceptives be taken at maximum of three times per year to avoid potential health risks.” He explained.

He observed “Its worrying to see some ladies use the pills almost every week, and this is not recommendable. I always advise my patients on these contraceptives as they may have far-reaching side effects in future.”

Mwithari, however, proposes use of alternative contraceptive methods, such as Depo-Provera.

“This contraceptive is administered via injection and provides protection for a three-month period, ensuring that the user cannot conceive during this time. Despite its effectiveness, it remains less popular than P2.” He said.

The pharmacist further underscored the benefits of using condoms regretting use of the contraceptive has become less favored in recent times.

He encouraged unmarried individuals and those who are sexually active to consider condoms as a safer option to prevent not only unwanted pregnancies but also sexually transmitted diseases.   

“Demand for condoms nowadays has gone down as compared to P2 pills. Dating individuals should consider this contraceptive to avoid unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.” He remarked.

For married couples, Mwithari suggested the Femi Plan as a better contraceptive saying Femi Plan is a contraceptive method designed for married individuals.

The medic emphasized the importance of considering both short-term and long-term effects as well as exploring alternatives to contraceptives to suit individual needs and circumstances. 

Courtesy; KNA