You can save thousands of shillings on medical care simply by using contraceptive pills. According to studies and reports from the medical fraternity, these pills have more applications than you think.
Not everyone supports contraception. In a world just bursting with different opinions, some people support abstinence while others advocate for other practical preventive measures.
The fact of the matter is, self-control can only go so far. So when those primal urges take control there are a number of things that could go wrong.
Infections and diseases aside, an unplanned baby is one of the most frightening possibilities that could arise from unprotected sex.
New born children need attention, love and affection. If two people are just getting their lives on track, this could come as some sort of inconvenience. Some people support child birth as a kind of miracle. Others may beg to differ and argue that life itself is the miracle.
Whatever the case, most people argue that raising a child may be one of the most expensive things to come from such a partnership. From clothes, to healthcare and education, the bills just keep on coming.
The funny thing is, contraception saves more money that what people might expect. Unplanned pregnancy is not the only thing that some contraceptives prevent. There’s more to this than meets the eye.
Prevents Risk of Madness
Apparently, contraceptive pills can prevent dementia. For those not in the loop, dementia is a medical condition that affects the mind, leading to symptoms such as memory loss, a lack of concentration and poor judgment. If you consider the fact that an over the counter dosage costs about KES 300 and it costs about KES 4300 to admit a mentally disabled patient, it may be cheaper to take the pill. In turn, the hospital incurs a cost of about KES 200,000 on admission costs.
A recent study from University of Wisconsin reports that contraceptive pills can boost a person’s cognitive skills. The study reviewed women who had been on the pill for 5 years versus those who had never even taken it a day in their life. Reports showed that those on the pill had sharper memories than their more traditional counterparts. The study reveals that the pill stops blockages in arteries, encouraging blood-flow to the brain.
To make matters worse, the African Mental Health Foundation notes that Kenya is ill-equipped to effectively deal with such mental health disorders. Add that to the fact that Dementia burns through 1% of the global GDP. Locally, treatment can cost up to KES 158,000 per patient. In which case, contraceptive pills are like a long term investment.
Good for Menopause
Women’s Health revealed that the pill can be used for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) in menopausal women.
Reduces Risk of Cancer
Not only to they help with procedures like HRT for menopausal women, but they also reduce the chances of developing certain kinds of cancer.
Other studies have shown that contraceptive pills reduce the risk of womb and ovarian cancer. Part of the weekly treatment for cancer costs no less than KES 180,000, according to a report by Kenya’s Department of Research. An article from Mesha, states that Chemotherapy could even cost twice as much.
Good for Fertility
Believe it or not, the pill might actually be good for fertility should the person decide to stop taking it at some point in their life. Ironic as it may seem, contraceptive pills treat a condition that would otherwise cause infertility in women.
A statement from Planned Parenthood reveals that it can, in fact, offer protection against Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, which often leads to infertility.
The recently introduced male contraceptive pill is noted as a research tool for the medical community. According to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, the male equivalent of the pill is currently being used to determine why some men are infertile.
With all the strides the contraceptive pill has taken towards improving the quality of life, the medical community is still waiting for rational arguments against it. Even with some side effects and minor discomfort, the anti-pill movement has yet to come up with its own candid analysis. If they say that taking the pill is unnatural, it stands to reason that taking herbs to boost fertility is also against the norm.
Nevertheless, the fact remains that the pill can save money, but more importantly, it can save lives.