Young Ladies are Abusing Contraceptive Pills - Mrs Paulina Siaw-Akoto

Paulina Siaw-Akoto, a well-known, seasoned health specialist, has advised women against abusing emergency contraception because it may lead to cancer in the future. 

Mrs. Akoto made these educative submissions while speaking to students at the just-ended Red Conversation by the School of Communication of Wisconsin International University College Ghana, (WIUC-Gh) on Wednesday, 15 February 2023.

She stressed that frequent use of emergency contraceptives was harmful to young women with conditions that may last a lifetime.

“Frequent use of emergency contraception can result in increased side-effects, such as menstrual irregularities, although their repeated use poses no known health risks,” she noted.

She explained that just like other oral contraceptives, it worked through the increase of hormones in the body increasing the risk of users’ contracting cancers, especially breast cancer which was common in Ghana.

According to Mrs Akoto emergency contraceptives were meant for emergency purposes and not for everyday use, ''It is unlikely to have emergencies almost every week, Continuous use of emergency contraceptive comes with loads of complications manufacturers may not include in their labels.''

 “If you are relying on emergency contraception as your main form of birth control, speak to health professionals about your options.”

She also encouraged young women to consider either abstaining or use of condoms as a form of protection instead of the abuse of the emergency contraceptive to avoid putting themselves at risk in the future.