Sympto-thermal method of family planning is free of side effects

I heard in recent health reports that women are shunning contraceptives because of the side- effects associated with their use. It is true that some of the methods have side effects!

For instance, Injector plan has proved to be a challenge to women with poor nutrition; they often experience chest pain, altered vision, skin irritations, joint and muscle pain etc. Switching to the use of the Intrauterine device might not help either because the IUD causes early repeated abortions which cause heavy menstrual bleeding. This bleeding is hazardous because it can result in anemia.

Then there is the effect on bone tissue due to prolonged use of the Depo Provera injection. Although this tissue loss may seem insignificant, it happens at a time when bones should be building up and therefore could have severe effects.

These and other side-effects have to be handled by medical personnel. Unfortunately, our healthcare system is poor, riddled with shortage of manpower hence no one to attend to patients and adequately educate them about contraceptives and their side effects.

For that reason, it is important to educate the public about fertility awareness, and how the sympto-thermal method, or the use of clear blue fertility monitors work. Sympto- thermal method would help mothers know the manifestation of their fertility and infertility phases. This knowledge promotes self – respect, recognition of reproductive physiology and proper planning for pregnancy hence no need for contraceptives.

Sympto-thermal method involves the knowledge of symptoms like temperature, cervical mucus and mid-pain to guide the planning of intercourse, either to conceive or prevent conception. The Sympto-thermal method involves scheduling sex and it can be scarred by marital rape.

Human beings when they have a compelling reason can exercise self-control. We wake up early to go to work, and get there rain or shine, arrange our work schedule to fit in with meal time, wait for pay cheques, budget expenditure according to our income. Pedestrians walk along the pedestrian-line and not in the middle of the highway. Drivers stop at red light, and observe the speed limit so; it is possible for human beings to schedule intercourse as a method of family planning.

Periodic abstinence is a matter of self-control and is a solution for those who cannot endure the side-effects of contraceptives but still want to plan their families.

Juliu Ntalo, ntljulius@hotmail.com