Are you practicing family planning? If you live in the Philippines, you will most probably know that in our type of economy, family planning is the most responsible decision that a couple can make. That is the reason why the first World Contraception Day Philippines was launched in 2018. Earlier, the government has announced the implementation of an intensified family planning program nationwide targeting 11.3 million women orver the next four years. This is to increase the usage of contraceptives among Filipinos from 40 percent to 65 percent. But to be able to reach this goal, much more needs to be done because apparently, there are still many couples who lack information about modern contraceptives.
I have to admit, I don’t know much about contraceptives because my husband and I only used one ever since we got married, that is withdrawal method. I won’t even advise it to others because as I’ve talked about dozens of friends and relatives, they don’t like it and anything that you don’t like won’t be that effective. It worked for us maybe because we are unlike other many couples. We are satisfied with our sex life even though we practice this kind of contraception and we have absolute control of our bodies. But withdrawal method is not a recommended kind of contraception because as I’ve learned, it has only 72-82% efficacy.
What kind of contraception really works?
To create more awareness and continue the conversation about misconceptions and lack of knowledge on modern contraception, Bayer Pharmaceuticals hosted an intimate forum last week at Romulo Cafe in Makati City. In this forum, I’ve learned so much about the modern kinds of contraceptions and the how effective they are. I made sure to listen intently because as you may know, I have two daughters and we haven’t discussed about contraceptions yet. It won’t take long and I have to be able to explain to them well these topics about contraceptives, not because I think that they will be promiscuous when they become older but because these information can protect them and allow them to make wise decisions in the future.
To create more awareness and continue the conversation about misconceptions and lack of knowledge on modern contraception, Bayer Pharmaceuticals hosted an intimate forum last week at Romulo Cafe in Makati City.
L-R – Joyce Placino (PR Manager Stratworks) with Via Antonio (actress and comedian, who talked about her own experiences in pursuit of better reproductive and physical health, advocate of contraceptive pills) and Dr. Amity Casurao-Trono – OB Gyne who held a “Pillowtalk” session
First things I learned :
Contraceptive methods with 99%-100% efficacy:
- Contraceptive pills
- Intrauterine System (IUS) (or IUD)
- Female sterilization (tubal ligation)
- Contraceptive patches
- Injectibles
Contraceptive methods with 72%-82% efficacy
- condom
- calendar method
- withdrawal method
From all of these methods, it’s quite obvious that the easiest to use are the contraceptive pills because first, it’s non-invasive (no need to be injected or to undergo surgery), convenient and reversible ( you can get pregnant again, just stop using it) But I was curious why some women still prefer the others, and I found out that mainly, it’s because of many misconceptions.
Dr. Amity Casurao-Trono, Obstetrician and Gynecologist at St. Lukes Medical Center Q.C. and Rizal Medica Center shed light on these contraceptive misconceptions in her “Pillowtalk” session. I learned a lot from her talk and was able to take some notes:
Dr. Amity shed light on the myths and misconceptions about modern contraceptives on her Pillowtalk session
2 types of oral contraceptives (pills)
a. the type that contains progestin – the ingredient that prevents ovulation, thins out the uterline lining and thicken cervical mucus – and estrogen hormones (synthetic female hormones that stabilizes the endometrium and enhances the action of progestin
b. mini pill or POP which contains only progestin
Dr. Amity mentioned that she always prefer type a pills because they contain both progestin and estrogen. She recommended pills that contain Drospirenone hormones which have progestogenic (ingredients that prevent being pregnant) and other ingredients that can make females benefit more from the pills (hair and skin smoothening and helps manage weight)
Myths about the pills
Pills cause birth defects – Not true. No adverse efffects were observed when pills were accidentally taken during early pregnancy. Past pill use is not associated with an increase in unexpected abortions.
Pills can increase cancer risk – Not true. In fact, the risk of cancer lowered with the use of pills.
Pills can make a female infertile (baog) – Not true. 21% of womenget pregnant after one month of stopping taking pills and 79% get pregnant after one year of stopping.
Negative and positive side effects of using contraceptive pills
Negative – There are pills that can cause nausea, breast tenderness, headache. Uncommon side effects include acne, decreased libido, changes in mood and body weight
Positive – There are types of contraceptive pills that do give positive side-effects to women, other than preventing pregnancy.
- less bloating
- smoother skin
- less facial hair
- less irregular period
- less instances of heavy bleeding
Important : Dr. Casurao-Trono mentioned several times that not all contraceptive pills are the same. There are actually fake pills being sold in the market. Secondly, different brands of pills contain different kinds of hormones. Different pill brands may also have different effects to women who will take them. It’s because each women are unique. What works for others may not work on other women. It’s very important to consult to a doctor or the Ob-Gyne for proper instructions on the use of pills.
With Bayer executives, Via Antonio and Dr. Casurao-Trono
Bayer Pharmaceuticals provide quality medicines for women
For me, all these nuggets of wisdom I learned from the forum are very important and I hope that more women will be able to read these, absorb them and tell them to others. It’s the modern times already and we should be more open in talking about female reproductive and sexual health.
My husband and I used contraception because we want to be able to have enough number of kids who we think we are capable enough to give a good life and good education. Be informed and have the right knowledge about female reproduction and sexual health and don’t be ashamed to talk about it even with your kids. Knowledge is power.
I hope you, as one of my readers, will also be a instrument in creating awareness in your community.
To learn more about contraception and reproductive health, visit www.your-life.com or visit http://www.facebook.com/wcdphilippines
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