PERSONALISED FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES
As children transition into adolescence and young adults, there’s an opportunity to include discussions about protection and family planning services in a medically accurate and age-appropriate manner. Gynecologists play an important role in providing personalised family planning services, and increasing access to such services is an essential part in addressing unplanned pregnancies.
While many countries in Asia, including India, China and South Korea, allow access to birth control pills over the counter, Singapore does not. Supporters of over-the-counter availability argue that making the pill more accessible may reduce the incidence of unintended pregnancies and abortions and eradicate barriers such as cost, or hesitation associated with doctor’s visits.
But there are valid concerns and considerations associated with making the pill available over the counter. Oral contraceptive pills may be unsuitable for women with significant medical histories like breast cancer or blood clot formation. Birth control pills, like any other medication, can have side effects and may not be suitable for every individual.
Maintaining prescription status ensures that a healthcare professional evaluates a person’s medical history, taking into account potential contraindications and providing alternative contraception like the intrauterine device (IUD) instead.
Furthermore, over-the-counter availability may limit the opportunity for comprehensive education. Healthcare providers play a crucial role in educating individuals about proper usage, and what to do in case of missed doses. For instance, older women with unplanned pregnancies may erroneously assume that they do not need to use contraceptives due to declined fertility after 40 years of age.
Increasing the allocation of healthcare funding to family planning services for gynaecological care and general practitioner follow-ups could make it more affordable and accessible for women to accept contraception usage as an effective means of preventing unwanted pregnancies.