New contraceptive more effective
The Department of Health has launched a new contraceptive, which is free of charge and available at the Tambo Memorial Hospital.
The device, which needs to be inserted by a medical professional under the skin of the upper arm, can prevent pregnancy for up to three years.
The procedure takes between three to five minutes and should be inserted in the non-active arm.
Simon Zwane, spokesperson for the Gauteng Department of Health, says that it works by inhibiting ovulation and thickening the cervical mucus, thus, preventing pregnancy.
He says that the contraceptive is available to all women who have had their first menstrual cycle right up to menopause.
“Like all contraceptive methods, it is not 100 per cent effective, because one in 1 000 women can fall pregnant in three years.”
He adds that the contraceptive is only free at government hospitals and clinics and should women go to a private doctor they will pay about R1 700.
The advantage of the device over injectable contraceptives is that the user could become pregnant within weeks of its removal whereas with injectable contraceptives this could take up to one year.
“The side effects of this contraceptive are similar to those of the injections,” he says.
