Health
A Consultant Gynaecologist, Dr Ayodele Ademola, on Tuesday warned young women against abuse and indiscriminate use of pregnancy prevention drugs, saying they have negative effects on fertility.
Ademola, also the Medical Director, StrongTower Hospital and Advanced Fertility Centre, a Lagos-based private medical facility, gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
He said that the effects of such drugs, also known as an emergency contraceptive, could delay conception or damage a woman’s uterus if used wrongly.
The expert also warned against unprescribed use of a drug called misoprostol without medical supervision.
He said that it could also damage the uterus, cause excessive bleeding and death in some cases.
Misoprostol is a medication used to start labour, cause an abortion, prevent and treat stomach ulcer and treat postpartum bleeding due to poor contraction of the uterus.
“Some women indiscriminately use such drugs to either induce labour by themselves or abort pregnancy.
“It is very dangerous, especially if the pregnancy is beyond two to three months.
“The patient might end up in the hands of quack, who might injure the uterus and cause excessive bleeding, which can injure the uterus or cause death.
“And, the longer the abortion process, the more the patient will be predisposed to infections,” the expert explained.
He expressed his worry that Misoprostol, which could easily be found in most pharmacies, were often sold to people without medical prescriptions.
The medical expert advised that if anyone must take or use such drugs, it must be prescribed by a medical practitioner that understands the health condition of such consumer.
He, therefore, advised the public to seek medical assistance from reputable health centres for any kind of ailment.
NAN
Aug. 11, 2020 | 15:50
Tags: Medical expert cautions women against abuse of infertility drugs
