Women's Pill Prescriptions in South Africa - Everything You Need to Know
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Women's healthcare in South Africa, particularly regarding birth control, is crucial to overall well-being. Understanding the intricacies of obtaining birth control pills can be empowering in a country where healthcare access varies.
Join us as we explore women's pill prescriptions in South Africa, addressing everything from prescriptions to types of birth control pills available and more. Equip yourself with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions about your reproductive health.
We sat down with our resident medical expert, Doctor Chido. We asked her common “pill” and “pill prescription-related questions to give you the information you want.
We had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Chido Siame, our Clinical Care Lead at Kena Health, to delve into common inquiries about virtual and in-person medical consultations.
So, who is Dr. Chido Siame? Dr. Chido is wholeheartedly dedicated to ensuring top-tier healthcare delivery and fostering the professional development of telemedicine practitioners at Kena Health.
As a passionate medical professional, she's unwavering in her commitment to improving healthcare access for underserved communities. Dr. Chido's educational background in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Pretoria and ongoing Public Health studies at the University of the Western Cape equips her with the expertise to seamlessly blend clinical knowledge with a deep dedication to public well-being.
With a diverse career, spanning roles as a Doctor Clinician, OVCY Clinical Technical Advisor at FHI 360, and Hospital Team Lead at Broadreach Healthcare, Dr. Chido excels in clinical care, technical guidance, and program management. Her achievements include presenting at international conferences, appearing in TV news interviews, and contributing to pioneering medical protocols.
So, continue reading for the valuable insights Dr. Chido has shared with us.
The availability of contraceptive pills for women in South Africa can vary, and it could change over time as new medications become approved and existing ones are modified or discontinued. There were several types of contraceptive pills available for women in South Africa.
These contraceptive pills typically fall into two categories:
COCs contain both estrogen and progestin hormones. When used correctly, they are taken daily and are highly effective in preventing pregnancy. Some examples of COCs available in South Africa include Yaz, Yasmin, and Diane.
The progesterone-only pill, usually it's used for breastfeeding women. That's when it works together because breastfeeding is like a contraceptive that releases a hormone that stops ovulation.
POPs contain only progestin and are taken daily. They are suitable for women who prefer not to take estrogen-containing pills. An example of a progestin-only pill available in South Africa is Microval. It needs to be taken very regularly. It needs to be taken regularly, at the same time every day - you can't be off by a few hours otherwise, the efficacy is reduced.
Please note that the availability of specific contraceptive pills can change, and new brands or formulations could become available. Additionally, the accessibility of these pills could vary depending on healthcare facilities and providers.
If you are considering starting or changing a contraceptive pill, it is advisable to consult with a healthcare professional or family planning clinic in South Africa. They can provide the most up-to-date information on available options, discuss your needs and preferences, and help you make an informed choice based on your health and contraceptive goals.
On the Kena Health online doctor app, you can do a standard consultation with a nurse or doctor for only R235 to help guide you on the best contraception method. You can use our express consultation service for only R 120 if you simply need to renew a contraceptive prescription. And get your prescription sent directly to your phone.
Prescription requirements for birth control pills or ‘the pill’ in South Africa exist for various reasons.
Contraception pills contain hormones. There are some potential side effects, which would be disastrous if it's not prescribed correctly. So, you can imagine if you have a family history of breast cancer, your mother had it. Then you just decide, or somebody writes up the combined contraceptive without having that history, it could increase your chance of getting breast cancer.
Birth control pills must be taken correctly to be effective. Healthcare providers can educate individuals on how to take them consistently and address any concerns or questions regarding their use.
Certain medical conditions or medications could interact with birth control pills for some individuals. A prescription allows healthcare providers to monitor the person's health and adjust their contraceptive method if needed.
Please consult with a healthcare professional or contact relevant authorities for the most current information and guidance if you have specific questions that concern you or concerns about access to birth control pills in South Africa.
To get a prescription for birth control pills or ‘the pill’ in South Africa, you should follow these general steps:
It's important to note that birth control pills come in various formulations and brands, so the healthcare provider will help you choose the one that aligns with your medical history and personal preferences.
Kena Health offers private consultations on your birth control needs with a registered nurse or doctor from the comfort of your phone. No appointments are needed.
You can get a repeat that will last you six months. Sometimes, you get three or four, but usually six, so you only have to see your healthcare provider twice a year.
When you visit your healthcare provider to get your initial prescription for birth control pills, you can inquire about their refills and repeat prescriptions policy. They can inform you how often you need to schedule follow-up appointments and whether they can issue repeat prescriptions for an extended period.
Please remember that regular check-ups with your healthcare provider while taking birth control pills are essential to monitor your health, address any potential side effects, and ensure that the chosen contraceptive method remains suitable for your needs.
Following your healthcare provider's recommendations for ongoing care and prescription renewals is always advisable.
You can use the Kena Health express consultation service for simple birth control renewals for only R 120. You can receive a 3 or 6-month prescription sent to your phone, redeemable at any pharmacy nationwide.
The combined oral contraceptive can do that. Usually, how it's set up is the combined oral contraceptive has a packet that has 28 pills.
Then, usually, 21 of them are active, or even up to 24, depending on which brand you're using, are active pills. So those have mugs in them, suppressing ovulation, but they do the things in your body that work as contraceptives.
Also, there are four to seven inactive or placebo pills. Those don't have any hormones in them. And when you take those, those are the ones that stimulate your period to come. Because you're no longer maintaining the uterus lining with the hormones in the pulse for the first 21 or 24 days.
So, if you want to skip your period, if you're on the combined or contraceptive, what you do is you take the active pills, you skip the inactive pills, and you go to your next packet and start the active pills again.
So, you just continuously, depending on how long you don't want to have the period, you always skip the active pills. And it's absolutely safe. I do want to mention that it's safe to do that under the guidance of your doctor.
It doesn't make your uterus dirty, but some people think it does or causes an accumulation of blood, etc. It's absolutely safe to do that under the guidance of your doctor.
Missing one birth control pill does increase the risk of pregnancy. Still, the likelihood of becoming pregnant depends on a few factors, including the type of birth control pill you are taking and when you miss the tablet in your pill pack.
It's crucial to follow these instructions carefully, as missing more than one pill or failing to use a backup method when required can further increase the risk of pregnancy. If you miss multiple pills or have concerns about contraceptive effectiveness, consult your healthcare provider for guidance.
Consistent and correct use of birth control pills is essential for their effectiveness in preventing pregnancy. Suppose you find it challenging to remember to take your pills regularly. In that case, you could want to discuss alternative contraceptive methods with your healthcare provider, such as long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) like the intrauterine device (IUD) or the birth control implant, which do not require daily maintenance.
The time it takes to conceive after stopping birth control pills can vary from person to person.
In most cases, fertility typically returns quickly after discontinuing the pill, but there are some factors to consider:
It's essential to remember that while many people become fertile shortly after stopping birth control pills, there is no guaranteed timeframe for conception. Some individuals could conceive within a month or two, while others could take longer.
If you are actively trying to conceive after stopping birth control pills and have concerns about the timing or experience difficulties, it's a good idea to consult a healthcare provider or a fertility specialist.
They can provide guidance, assess your overall reproductive health, and offer recommendations based on your unique circumstances. Additionally, they can help you understand your menstrual cycle and ovulation patterns, which can be valuable information when trying to conceive.
So, birth control pills, or ‘the pill,’ contain synthetic hormones, usually a combination of estrogen and progestin or just progestin in some cases.
So, these hormones work in a few ways to prevent pregnancy:
Combining these mechanisms makes birth control pills a highly effective way to prevent pregnancy when taken correctly and consistently.
It's important to note that taking the pill doesn't protect you or your partner against sexually transmitted infections, also known as STIs. So, individuals who are at risk of STIs should also use barrier methods like condoms in addition to birth control pills for comprehensive protection.
It's crucial to take birth control pills as a healthcare provider prescribes to ensure their maximum effectiveness in preventing pregnancy.
Missing pills or inconsistently taking them can reduce their contraceptive effectiveness.
If you have questions or concerns about birth control pills or their effects on your body, it's advisable to discuss them with a healthcare provider who can provide personalised guidance and information.
So, the birth control pill is generally considered safe and effective when used as directed and under the supervision of a healthcare provider. However, like any medication, it cannot suit everyone and can have potential side effects and risks.
Here are some important considerations to think about regarding the safety of birth control pills:
It’s always great to chat with Chido. We found her thoughts on the pill were interesting and helpful.
Access to women's 'pill' prescriptions in South Africa is crucial for many women. It provides a convenient and effective method of contraception, with various options available to suit your needs.
Women can make informed choices about their reproductive health, ensuring a brighter and healthier future with a prescription from a healthcare professional.
It's essential to consult with a healthcare provider to find the most suitable contraceptive pill for your specific requirements and circumstances.
Do you need a prescription for ‘the pill’? Download the Kena Health app and talk to a nurse and doctor in minutes.
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