Using emergency contraceptives the wrong way or for the wrong purpose can be detrimental to one’s health, a medical expert has cautioned women and young girls.

Mrs Gifty Maloe Nartey, a Physician Assistant, explained that, abusing emergency contraceptives could delay ovulation, and disrupt menstrual cycle.

She disclosed this in an exclusive interview with The Spectator on Monday.

Mrs Nartey said emergency contraceptives were not to be taken often, because it served as an emergency bed control pill, hence the need for women, particularly adolescent girls, to plan their sex lives well to avoid encountering problems.

She admonished adolescent girls who were in school to abstain from unplanned sex because that could lead to different problems emanating from teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and diseases, among others.

According to Mrs Nartey, adolescent girls must know the consequences associated with unprotected sex to make informed choices about their sex life and health.

She stressed that, adolescent girls must be educated on the correct use of device or drug used to prevent pregnancy to help in saving them from unwanted pregnancies.

She said the use of prescribed contraceptives would rather help adolescent girls to make informed choices for their sexual and reproductive health rights.

Mrs. Nartey who doubles as a Social and Behavioural Scientist said, “Using contraceptives the right way would enable adolescent girls stay in school to complete their academic pursuits successfully and become good citizens in the future.”

She observed that, “there were various types of contraceptives on the market and each of them had side effect, so it was appropriate to always consult the Family Planning Unit at any registered health facility to be given the best method that was suitable for the body.”

“The proper method of using contraceptives would not in any way trigger health complications, disorders and also affect an adolescent girl’s fertility,” she assured.

By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah