Tendai Gukutikwa
Health Reporter
ZIMBABWE National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) has sounded alarm bells on the rampant misuse of emergency contraceptives, particularly morning-after pills, among young people.
This follows a rise in the number of youths purchasing and using the morning after hormone pill from local pharmacies, according to ZNFPC provincial marketing and communications officer, Mr Daniel Maromo.
Minors need parental consent or a prescription from a healthcare provider to access emergency contraception in Zimbabwe.
In an interview on the sidelines of a Family Planning (FP) and Adolescents Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) Forum meeting held in Mutare last Friday, Mr Maromo, stressed the importance of using emergency contraceptives responsibly.
He said the consistent use of emergency contraceptives can have detrimental effects on one’s health.
“We are seeing a worrying trend as young people are taking morning after pills regularly, which is not their intended pur pose. These pills are meant for emergency situations only, not as a substitute for regular contraception. We are encouraging them to use regular contraceptives because morning after pills are emergency contraceptives only. They should be taken in emergency cases only. One cannot have an emergency on a daily basis,” he said.
Mr Maromo said there is a high drug component in emergency contraceptives, and their prolonged use can lead to health complications.
“Taking these pills daily is not ideal for one’s health. We urge young people to opt for regular contraceptives, which are safer and more effective in the long run.
“Taking it routinely or daily like what others are doing will also cause some side effects and challenges on one’s health in the long run. To the young people, if they want to prevent pregnancies, they should resort to various other contraceptives available on the market. We have quite a number of alternative contraceptives,” he said.
Mr Maromo said there is also an alarming trend of young people misusing birth control pills to manipulate their menstrual cycles.
“Another disturbing trend that has also come to light is the misuse of birth control pills to influence menstrual cycles by youths. The growing number of young people overdosing on these regular birth control pills to induce or stop their monthly periods is now a cause for concern,” he said.
He revealed that during a recent visit to several pharmacies, he discovered that some youths were purchasing birth control pills, with the intention of manipulating their menstrual cycles.
“We have found out that some youths are buying these pills in excess, with the aim of stopping their menses altogether. This is a dangerous practice, as it can lead to serious health complications,” he cautioned.
He said it is important to adhere to the prescribed dosage and standard guidelines of the contraceptive pills set by healthcare providers.
“We strongly encourage women to use birth control pills responsibly and only as directed. This will help prevent unnecessary health risks and promote responsible reproductive health practices among young women,” he said.
Mr Maromo said young people also need to stay safe from sexually transmitted infections.
“Young people need to know that when two people are intimate, there are two negative possibilities that can take place. The first one is unwanted pregnancies, and the other one is contracting an STI or HIV. So we are saying, taking these contraceptives helps to prevent pregnancies, but without any other protection, one is bound to contract STIs. Prevention is better than cure. Among all the other contraceptives, only condoms can save people from STIs if it is not abstinence or faithfulness,” he said.
By raising awareness about the potential risks associated with morning after pills abuse, Mr Maromo said ZNFPC aims to promote responsible reproductive health practices among young people.
However, some healthcare providers and pharmacies are selling emergency contraception to minors without parental consent, according to a check done by The Manica Post.
Interviewed pharmacists who, however, requested anonymity, said business is booming because of the high demand of contraceptives from youths, particularly those in high school and colleges who are buying morning after pills and birth control pills in excess.
“These pills are usually bought early Saturday mornings, soon after we open our doors. As Zimbabweans, we have a relatively conservative approach to reproductive health services, and I guess that is the reason why the youths flock our pharmacies to buy the pills early in the morning. For us, we do not sell to minors, but we are hearing that some of us are selling to them,” said a pharmacist in Mutare.
In an interview, obstetrician and gynaecologist, Dr Mirriam Kanyenze said overdosing and abusing birth control pills can lead to a range of serious and potentially life-threatening side effects which include excessive estrogen levels, thereby increasing the risk of blood clots forming in the legs, lungs, or brain. This can be fatal if left untreated.
“Abuse of both the morning after hormone and the birth control pills will cause a confused menstrual cycle which is irregular as well as withdrawal bleeding. It disrupts the cyclical process, and gives negative feedback to the brain. While it does not cause any complications of conceiving in the future, there is risk that one will get a heavy period which is excessive, and can even span to six weeks after one stops taking the pills.
“Additionally, high doses of birth control pills can cause a sudden increase in blood pressure, leading to a stroke or cerebral haemorrhage. The liver can also become overloaded with excessive hormones, leading to liver damage, scarring, or even liver failure,” she said.
