Here's why we need contraceptives

Despite the evidence that contraception reduces the rate of unintended pregnancies and prevents unsafe abortions worldwide, there are still 270 million women of reproductive age in the world with an unmet need for contraception.

This is due to different factors ranging from inaccessibility and sociocultural barriers to personal reasons.

If you are wondering why we even need contraceptives in the first place, here is a list of benefits they have not just for you as a person but for your partner and the wider society you live in.

Reduced risk of unintended pregnancy

So you are not ready to go through the hassle of pregnancy or parenting but want to have an active sex life? Getting on a suitable contraception is the wise thing to do. When used the right way, most contraceptives are 90 - 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.

Additionally, using contraception to prevent an unintended pregnancy means you may not have to get an abortion. This can be quite relieving, especially if you live in a state with restrictive abortion laws that put you at risk of an unsafe abortion.

Getting pregnant may be inevitable if you keep having unprotected sex, so think about all the stress and unexpected cost of childcare contraception use can save you from.

Better sex

Imagine all the sex you can have and the extent to which you can explore the nook and cranny of your body for pleasure without the fear of pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.

Exciting, right? Contraceptives are here to make that happen.

Disease prevention

Having unprotected sex puts you at risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections and diseases (STI/STD). Guard yourself against this by using the barrier forms of contraception, i.e condoms, while having penetrative sex, and dental dams for oral sex.

All other forms of contraception besides these two can only prevent pregnancy, not STIs/STDs.

Pregnancy complications and deaths

Marie Stopes International reports that approximately 830 women die daily from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth; 99% of which occur in developing countries.

Further, 12 million girls - between the ages of 15 and 19 years - give birth in developing countries. Early pregnancies have serious health consequences such as anaemia, low birth weight, preeclampsia/eclampsia, preterm labour, and stillbirth; and these complications are the leading cause of death among the girls globally.

Contraception use can prevent this burden on teenage reproductive systems, which they are not ready for; and ultimately reduce complications and mortality.

Family planning

The use of contraception aids women in proper planning for pregnancy, childbirth and parenthood - mentally, medically, and financially. This helps in providing adequate care for the baby before and after birth. Such a child has a great chance of being healthy and raised in a homely environment.

Contraception also helps with child spacing, which leaves a decent gap between the children a person has and prevents the burden of having to care for more than one infant at once.

Economic empowerment

Having control over one’s fertility and exercising reproductive rights is empowering. Unintended pregnancy and unspaced childbirth have socioeconomic consequences that majorly affect women and girls all around the world.

Many women and girls are stuck in the cycle of poverty and unable to attain career growth due to unplanned pregnancy and the stress of parenting.

Thousands of teenage girls around the world drop out of school and are unable to continue their formal education, which reduces their chances of accessing opportunities available to their peers.

Contraception empowers women and girls and keeps them from unplanned pregnancy, which may limit them from attaining their potential.

Population control

The United Nations estimates that the world population is expected to reach 8.6 billion in 2030, 9.8 billion in 2050 and 11.2 billion in 2100. This may just be way more than what the earth can support.

Prevention of overpopulation helps solve social and economic problems because it reduces pressure on the environment and available resources. And contraception use is key to curbing population explosion.

Emitomo Tobi Nimisire is a writer, sexual reproductive health and rights advocate, and communications strategist. She blogs at nimisire.wordpress.com.