Many women, after their pregnancies and childbirths, resort to using contraceptives to avoid another pregnancy. During these exploratory experiences, women use various methods until they settle on one, not because it is the most suitable, but due to several other considerations, such as ease of use, lower cost compared to other methods, and availability in the local market. However, the consequences of these trials, the responsibility for their results, and their side effects fall solely on the wife, who bears the price through her physical and psychological health.
Random Contraceptive Methods
Ibtisam Amin shares with "Khuyut" her struggle with contraceptive methods, saying: "When I gave birth to my third child, I decided to use an excellent and expensive contraceptive pill as a solution for family planning and to ensure quality. However, it caused severe breast irritation, so I stopped using it after a year. Even so, I didn't recover from the irritation, which, due to other factors, developed into chronic asthma."
Like many other women who did not consult a doctor before choosing a contraceptive, Ibtisam relied on the experiences of those around her. According to a survey conducted by "Khuyut" on a sample of 102 women, 62.7% of women who used contraceptives did not consult a doctor when selecting their contraceptive method.
Bad Health Consequences
There are multiple contraceptive methods available to women, but not all of them suit every woman. What works for one woman may not work for another. Therefore, consulting a gynecologist is essential so that the woman knows which method is safe and suitable for her, avoiding the health risks that may arise from using a method incompatible with her body. According to the previous survey, 67.3% of women experienced health issues as a result of using contraceptives without consulting a doctor.
"When I gave birth to my third child, I decided to use an excellent and expensive contraceptive pill as a solution for family planning and to ensure quality. However, it caused severe breast irritation, so I stopped using it after a year. Even so, I didn't recover from the irritation, which, due to other factors, developed into chronic asthma."
Reem Ahmed (a pseudonym) talks to "Khuyut" about a delayed medical problem she developed after using contraceptive pills for four years. She started experiencing symptoms of obesity, gaining more than 20 kilograms, feeling swollen, and suffering from psychological symptoms such as irritability, stress, and frequent mood swings. Reem adds: "I went to a gynecologist who told me to stop using the pill, but the problem had already worsened, resulting in fatty cysts under my armpits. Doctors agreed that they were a result of using the pill. I later had to have them removed through two surgeries." Reem continues, "These hormonal changes did not stop at the formation of fatty cysts, and I suspect my current thyroid problem is a result of the same cause."
In this context, Rania Al-Absi, a gynecologist, tells "Khuyut": "Pills are a hormonal contraceptive method, so we need to consider the beneficiary's health condition. If she has health problems or chronic diseases such as migraines, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart or kidney diseases, we work to prevent her from using the pill and recommend another method."
Many men oppose the idea of family planning for reasons unrelated to women's health, but for religious motivations or a lack of awareness about the importance of family planning. The survey conducted by "Khuyut" revealed that 54.9% of husbands do not agree with family planning. This figure reflects the limited options available to women, as this rejection places significant burdens on them, not only regarding frequent pregnancies and but also in managing the responsibility of family planning independently of their partner.
Additional Burdens
It is noteworthy that many men oppose family planning, not due to concerns about women's health, but because of religious reasons or a lack of awareness of its importance. According to the "Khuyut" survey, 54.9% of husbands do not agree with family planning, indicating a narrow scope of options for women. This rejection leads to significant burdens for women, not only with frequent pregnancies and births but also in managing the responsibility of family planning independently of their partner.
According to Dr. Saleh Al-Masou, Director of Reproductive Health, family planning is a key foundation for protecting women from the consequences and risks of repeated births. It alleviates fatigue, giving the body a chance to recover from the previous pregnancy, while also easing the burden of raising children and giving each one the care and attention they need.
On the other hand, the contribution of husbands who agree to family planning does not reach the level of partnership that considers the health circumstances of their partners. The survey showed that 43.9% of husbands who agree to family planning do so on the condition that they choose the method themselves, while 39.8% agree to family planning but do not interfere with their wives' choice of method. Only 16.3% of husbands who agree to family planning discuss the most suitable method with their wives.
Misconceptions
Samar (a pseudonym), one of the women whose husbands decide the contraceptive method she uses, says to "Khuyut": "My husband refused for me to use an IUD, believing it causes infertility, and suggested I use the injection. After two months, I was shocked to find out I was pregnant, even though only a few months had passed since my first birth."
In this context, Dr. Al-Absi emphasized that many of the popular beliefs about contraceptives are inaccurate. She adds, "Some people think that the IUD will fall out during work, or that the implant - a small strip placed in the arm - moves with hand movements, which is completely untrue."
To raise awareness among men about the importance of family planning and correct some of the misconceptions, Al-Absi stresses not to improvise when choosing contraceptives: "In all Yemeni cities, every hospital or health center has a clinic called counseling. This room is dedicated to discussing contraceptive methods. The issue is discussed with the beneficiary, and sometimes, based on the local culture, the husband is allowed to accompany his wife to choose the appropriate method. They are both informed about the importance of family planning and the criteria for using the method."
It is worth noting that early marriage and childbirth are practices that expose girls to serious risks, especially in rural areas, where medical services are inadequate and access to health centers is difficult.
Ruqaya (a pseudonym), aged 15, gave birth to her first child, who died shortly after birth. The same happened in her second pregnancy. In her third pregnancy, the baby survived, but her uterus dropped. The responsibilities of early motherhood and repeated pregnancies have caused serious health consequences for Ruqaya, affecting her marital life, which collapsed due to accumulated marital, health, and psychological problems.
According to medical sources, this situation threatens the lives of many girls, as they face increased risks of conditions such as gestational diabetes and high blood pressure. A significant proportion of these girls are also at risk of repeated miscarriages, along with the dangers of childbirth and its consequences. All of these risks are exacerbated by the lack of adequate health support for young mothers from society.
