Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Health Reporter
WOMEN have been warned against the dangerous practice of self-prescribing and abusing contraceptives, with health experts saying the misuse of family planning methods can cause serious health complications and hormonal imbalances.
Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) Manicaland provincial marketing and communications Officer, Mr Daniel Maromo, said an alarming number of women are combining different contraceptive methods without medical advice, under the false belief that doing so offers extra protection against pregnancy.
He urged women to treat contraception as a medical matter that requires professional supervision, not as an area for experimentation.
Mr Maromo said contraceptive use should always be guided by qualified health practitioners, not personal assumptions or advice from peers.
“The other drug and substance abuse that we are encountering is when we have prescribed drugs not being taken in the way they were prescribed. Sometimes people are told to take a drug once in the morning, and once in the evening, and the person ends up taking a double dose in the morning. They will end up not taking the drug in the evening or even overdosing by taking more in the evening. People should avoid that,” said Mr Maromo.
He said similar patterns of abuse are now being seen with contraceptives, where women use multiple methods simultaneously, such as taking oral contraceptive pills while on injectable methods like Depo-Provera, in the hope of avoiding pregnancy more effectively.
“With contraceptives, people have a tendency of prescribing themselves control pills when they are already on depo, but it does not work that way. One method is enough. You can end up messing up with your hormonal balance. Double action is not necessary,” Mr Maromo explained.
He warned that contraceptive abuse and self-prescription can cause severe side effects such as irregular menstrual cycles, infertility, nausea, mood swings, and long-term hormonal disturbances.
In extreme cases, misuse of contraceptives can lead to blood clots and increased risks of cardiovascular diseases.
Mr Maromo said every contraceptive method is designed to be used under medical supervision, and improper use undermines both its effectiveness and the user’s health.
“That is why we say contraception is your choice, you have to choose one method. The only dual method that is allowed is when you use condoms while on these other contraception methods. This is because condoms protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and other diseases,” he said.
He stressed that any combination of contraceptive methods should only be prescribed by a qualified health practitioner after medical evaluation, usually to manage side effects or adjust a method that is not working well for a patient.
“The combination should only be prescribed by a health practitioner when you have challenges with one contraceptive, and they want to manage that. Do not prescribe yourself contraceptive methods. You will notice that the health practitioner will only prescribe it for a certain amount of time, and not for a lifetime,” Mr Maromo said.
He added that contraceptives misuse often stems from misinformation spread within communities, especially among young women who rely on hearsay from friends instead of seeking professional guidance.
As a result, ZNFPC continues to conduct awareness campaigns across the province to educate communities about safe and effective family planning.
Mr Maromo urged women to visit family planning clinics for counselling before choosing a method, noting that medical staff are trained to help clients make informed choices based on their health conditions and reproductive goals.
“Every person’s body is different. What works for one woman may not necessarily work for another. That is why it is crucial to go for counselling and proper medical assessment before you start using any contraceptive method,” he said.
He also urged women to avoid buying contraceptives from unlicensed vendors or using leftover pills from friends, as doing so exposes them to counterfeit drugs and unmonitored dosages.
“It is worrying that some women are getting contraceptives from the streets or from friends without knowing their expiry dates or composition. This is risky. Always get your contraceptives from approved health centres where you can also receive professional advice,” he said.
According to ZNFPC, the correct use of family planning methods has greatly contributed to improved reproductive health outcomes in Zimbabwe, reducing unintended pregnancies, and empowering women to make informed choices.
However, the growing trend of self-medication threatens to reverse these gains if not addressed.
Mr Maromo said they will continue working with local health facilities, schools, and community leaders to promote accurate information and responsible contraceptive use, particularly among adolescents and young adults.
“We want people to understand that these methods are safe when used correctly, but they can be dangerous if abused. Our goal is to promote responsible use, protect women’s health, and ensure that family planning remains a positive tool for empowerment rather than harm,” he said.
Mr Maromo further called on men to also participate in family planning discussions, saying shared responsibility between partners ensures that contraceptive use is well understood and properly managed.
“As long as we continue to educate both men and women, we can eliminate misconceptions and prevent the abuse of contraceptives. Family planning should be about informed choices and responsible use, not fear or experimentation,” he said.
