Alternative Contraception

Longer lasting contraception is reliable, convenient and above all raising in popularity in young adults thanks to a recent campaign to raise awareness. Young woman are changing their perceptions and opinions about alternative methods following the “Giving You More Choice” campaign that was launched on 19 July this year.

The campaign ‘Giving you more choice’ has the social marketing principle of behaviour change at its core. The campaign aims to; encourage woman aged 18 to 44 to explore their contraceptive options, promote the three most effective methods of longer-lasting contraception, improve the overall knowledge and awareness of longer-lasting methods and ultimately reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies and repeat terminations.

Research conducted by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland into the needs and behaviors of sexually active woman found women wanted reliability, convenience and flexibility from their contraception. They wanted contraception that took care of itself. It was also important to have a measure of control over contraception. A main concern raised by women about contraception was whether it would affect their long-term fertility. With these longer-lasting methods, fertility returns a few days after removal.

Jane Hoeflich, Communications Manager from NHS Health Scotland told The Cardonald Courier: “The campaign promotes the convenience of longer-lasting contraception fitting into busy lifestyles while providing protection against pregnancy. Simply by exploring the other methods of contraception available women may find that longer-lasting contraception would suit them better.

“‘Giving you more choice’ aims to open the channels of communication between women and their contraception provider by raising awareness of the contraceptive choices available.”
With communication channels opened and information readily available, woman should be able to make informative decisions. However with migraines, nausea and depression all hefty side affects the up take may possibly be just as high as the removal. Lilly-Jane Scott from Pollockshaws spoke to The Courier about her experience:

“I had the implant fitted in August after being attracted to the idea from the posters dotted around bars and clubs in Glasgow.”

“I began suffering from migraines and was being sick. I got the implant removed last week. If I had known more about the side effects I wouldn’t have been so hasty in having it inserted. These alternative contraception’s are cheaper for the government, but girl’s health and wellbeing shouldn’t be affected at the cost of saving the government a few bob.”

The review of the success of the campaign at meeting their aims to improve the sexual health and wellbeing of woman in Scotland is currently underway. The results however, won’t be known until February next year.

With side affects sometimes taking a few months to rear their ugly head, anticipation into the results of the review is rife. Naive and haphazard decisions into the use of these alternative methods could result in less than positive findings.