HEALTH
Go home with a degree,
not a descendant... yet
D
Deliwe Msibi
Don’t get caught with an unwanted bun in the oven;
and if you already had one, avoid having the second
one by all means.
The Vaal Campus introduced a new contraceptive
method called Implanon to the students and staff. This
contraceptive method is currently being used in other
countries as well. South Africa is one of the latest
countries to advice the use of it.
“It is about time” says Mrs Mapete, a nurse from the
Vaal Campus. “We are living in a country where
teenage pregnancy is a problem, where we also
have a problem with the young people in Universities
playing it unsafe and ending up with unplanned
pregnancies before completing their degrees”. The
Vaal Campus Clinic came to a decision, that since
nothing can stop students from having sexual
intercourse without protection, then to let them be
provided with an effortless protection from pregnancy.
Is it safe?
Sister Synn, a nurse from Johan Heyns, educated the
Campus community about the Implanon birth
control device. She mentioned that it is not designed
to prevent HIV or any other STI, but to avoid
pregnancy. It is 99.9% safe, however should not be
relied on while taking other medication. It has side
effects such as headaches, weight gain/loss, sore
breasts, irregular periods, mood changes, decreased
sexual desire, acne and/or nausea. Compared to
other contraceptives it produces less of these
hormones which will then result in less chances of
experiencing side effects.
Duration
There are various methods of contraceptives; the
contraceptive pill, the two monthly injection, the five
year loop, the three year Implanon and many others.
The reason behind the three year Implanon is due
to the fact that it takes a minimum of three years to
complete a course. In cases where the Implanon
does not work for the patient, or perhaps you change
your mind about preventing, you can always go back
to the clinic and have it removed out. It is that simple.
Are there any risks involved?
Yes, just as there are risks to putting any type
of drug in your body, there are risks involved with
contraceptives as well. Most women that take
contraceptives are not aware that they may be
infertile, or be exposed to vaginal infections as well as
womb cancer due to the use of contraceptives.
20 - Student 24/7
Although this has a 0.001% chance of
happening, and most often does not
happen, it is mostly advised that you
know this information.
Is it worth it?
It is still advisable to abstain from
sexual intercourse for as long as you
do not want a baby. Condoms are also the next safest
type of prevention from pregnancy as well as STDs if
used correctly and frequently. If you know you cannot
abstain or frequently use condoms, then yes, all other
birth control methods offered in clinics and hospitals
are worth trying. It is entirely your choice to make.
The best advice? Wait until you are ready, and make
sure both you and your partner are healthy and protected.