The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

AS THE name suggests, one purpose of birth control is to prevent pregnancy for sexually active women. However, oral contraceptives have many other practical purposes for women.

From treating medical conditions to managing menstrual pain, there are many reasons why women opt to use birth control.

"Just how they choose to use abortion methods for various reasons, they use birth control pills for various reasons. So I think it is better to prevent the pregnancy in the first place, instead of having to turn to abortion," said Mimi Roberts, a pharmacist at Commonwealth Drugs and Medical Supplies.

There are over twenty oral contraceptive brands available to Bahamian women, said Ms Roberts. Women are usually prescribe the medication on a monthly basis.

"Once you have your prescription, it's easily accessible. For the most part, birth control pills are safe and it has many benefits and financial reasons for people using them," said Ms Roberts.

Apart from pregnancy prevention, Ms Roberts noted that birth control pills are also good for people who often undergo bad menstrual pains."

“They would have black outs, back pains and the pills would help reduce their pain in someway. It is not only for pregnancy, everyone has their reasons,” she said.

A Bahamian woman interviewed by Tribune Woman said she felt “we are living in a sexually liberated society”, where consenting adults should be able to freely engage in sexual activity.

"Of course you can use condoms as a contraceptive, but if you want to be extra sure, I would go with the birth control pills. The way our society is shaped up, we are having more and more teen moms, who are not having a chance to start a career because of a unexpected pregnancy. I think it is important that you have a choice when it comes to pregnancy," she said.

Another Bahamian woman said she has used birth control pills since the age of 16, right around the time she became sexually active.

"I think they are the best forms of contraceptives for me in particular; I can't speak for anyone else. I have never had any side effects and I like that the pills allow me to determine when I want to have my menstrual. I have been in a relationship for four years now and he prefers that I stay on the pill because he does not have to wear condoms," said the woman.

Sharing her story, another Bahamian woman said: "I used birth control pills because I always had problems when it came to my menstrual cycle. I would have severe cramps and vomiting a lot. I decided to go and see my family doctor about my situation because it was just too much for me to bare. He prescribed birth control pills for me and I wasn't taking them to prevent pregnancy, but to ease my pain," she said.

However, because of other medical complications, she said she had to stop using the pills.

Another woman said: "You would have to work with your doctor to make sure you get the right dosage and the right brand so that you can eliminate most of the side effects. I don't use them because I just choose to use alternative forms of birth control instead.”