05/02/2025
Taking Charge of Your Body: My Contraceptive Journey.
As a woman, you have the ultimate responsibility for your body. You decide what goes in, what comes out, when, how, and where. While some things in our bodies happen naturally, being informed about them is crucial for making the best decisions for our health and future.
I didn’t fully grasp the power I had over my body until when I decided to explore it by then I was in university. I had enough knowledge to make informed choices about my reproductive health. I took charge, made decisions that suited me, and consulted my partner when necessary. However, I also understood that some choices had to be made privately without involving anyone.
From the moment I decided to take control of my reproductive health, I experimented with different methods. At university, since I wasn’t frequently active 🤪, I opted for emergency contraception (commonly called the "I-pill") when needed. It worked for me at that stage of my life.
After graduating, life got busy juggling projects and work. Marriage made it difficult to keep up with short-term contraceptive method 😂 , I discussed my options with my husband and later seek doctors advice and decided to go for Depo-Provera, a hormonal injection taken every three months.
In hindsight, Depo-Provera was one of the worst decisions I made for my body. I experienced irregular bleeding almost daily, something I had heard patients complain about, but I overlooked it. I later realized that at my age, when I was still in my prime childbearing years, the side effects, such as irregular or no periods could delay conception later on. The potential for temporary infertility, which can last up to two years after stopping the injection, became a concern.
So, I stopped using it, but finding a consistent alternative took time.
I then turned to Microgynon, an oral contraceptive pill. At first, I struggled with the discipline required to take it daily. But eventually, I committed to it like a ritual, telling myself: “I will care for you like a religion because if you fail me, I will disappoint my future kids.”
Despite being married, I faced criticism from people around me. Some said I shouldn’t be so serious about contraception, while others called me names or gossiped that I was "barren." But I didn’t care. Taking my pills wasn’t just about preventing pregnancy it was about being in control, staying disciplined, and making sure that when I was ready for kids, my body would be well-prepared.
If you’re a young woman or even a mom who wants to space out pregnancies, Microgynon is a great option. But every woman’s body reacts differently. Other contraceptive methods work too, it all depends on your body, tolerance, stage of life, and personal conviction.
The only 100% foolproof method is abstinence. But if you choose to be Sactive, you should:
# Consult your doctor.
# Explore different contraceptive methods.
how your body responds.
disciplined and consistent.
No relationship, societal expectation, or circumstance should pressure you into having children before you're ready. Family planning is a personal decision, and taking control of your reproductive health is a form of self-care and empowerment.
What’s your experience with contraceptive choices? Let’s talk!
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