Gynaecologist Reveals 4 Reasons Why Contraceptives Fail
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A consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist have revealed four reasons why contraceptives may fail.
Dr Mark Ogbiti disclosed this to PUNCH HealthWise News Correspondence.
The reasons are:
Ogbiti advised women to use contraceptives at the time and appropriately to ensure their efficacy.
He noted that when contraceptives are not taken or injected at the appropriate time, pregnancy might occur.
The Gynaecologist stated that the expertise and method used by the surgeon inserting some contraceptive implants determines their success or failure.
The health expert made this comment while reacting to the story of a couple who already has five children, but still gave birth to quadruplets last week.
This occurred despite the wife allegedly using a contraceptive.
It was gathered that the woman welcomed the quaduplets at a private clinic in Kubwa, Abuja. Her husband reportedly lamented the failure of the contraceptive she used.
He said:
“Because she was using implants, implants are progestogens. What progestogen does is that it reduces the endometrial layer of the uterus and prevents the sperm from passing.
“It also reduces the cilia movement of the egg. The cilia are just like hair inside the nose. It reduces their movement and also prevents ovulation. Once those things are ongoing, then there won’t be fertilization.”
“Since the woman stopped that and moved to oral contraceptives which I feel could be the estrogen-based contraceptive, then there could be issues.
“When estrogen is given to a person over a particular time, initially it will block the hormone centre from stimulating the ovary.
“However, when it is withdrawn suddenly, there could be an increase or surge in the pituitary that will cause an increase in stimulation of the egg, which could lead to increased ovulation.
“Once it is withdrawn like that, it is possible that the woman will experience multiple ovulations, especially if there is a family history of twinning.”
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Ogbiti said when stimulation of the egg occurs and there is serious ovulation. He added that the woman can have this kind of scenario.
In a chat with HealthWise, Ogbiti stressed that if injectable contraceptives are not given at the appropriate time, they could fail.
He listed the various methods of contraception as:
He said:
“For the natural method, it includes the use of salt and some people may not be able to follow it properly.
“The pharmacological which is the hormonal method entails using drugs like combined oral contraceptives, mini-pills, implants, injectable. There is also the intrauterine contraceptive device.”
Ogbiti explained that usually when an implant is fixed, the woman is advised to stop carrying any load with that arm. This is because of the possibility of it falling out. Once it falls out, the effect will not be felt and pregnancy can occur.
He noted that even if it is placed wrongly under the skin, the contraceptive can still work.
The expert said the other barrier method includes:
He said a condom could slip off or even break, if it is not worn properly and this can lead to pregnancy.
Ogbiti said that Pomeroy is the most common form of surgical method done is the Pomeroy method. This involves the tying of a portion of the fallopian tube.
The gynaecologist added that surgical methods can also be done for men. The surgical method done for me is called the vasectom. This is a surgical procedure in which the ducts that carry sperm out of the testes are cut and tied off so that sperm cannot pass.
Ogbiti noted that the failure rate of the natural method is very alarming compared to the failure rate of the medical method. According to him the medical method has a greater chance to prevent pregnancy.
The gynaecologist urged Nigerians to learn about the various contraceptives before choosing the one to use.
Ogbiti urged Nigerians to first avail themselves of health education on contraceptives before choosing the one to use.
He added:
“The medical personnel need to be trained and retrained so they can perform better.”
Source: PUNCH HealthWise
