A Family Planning expert in the Ministry of Health, Thomas Nsengiyumva, has urged women to always seek professional advice prior to using family planning methods.

He said that most women react to some family planning methods because they fail to seek advice from health professionals specialised in family planning.

"Some women get prescription from untrained medics; so they end up suffering from side effects,” Nsengiyumva said.

He gave an example of pills which prevent anaemia and make menstrual periods lighter, as a positive side effect.

Claudine Niyonzima, who uses the Intrauterine devices (IUDs) - an object inserted into her uterus complained of excessive bleeding.

"One of the common side effects I’m experiencing is irregular bleeding, cramping and longer menstrual cycles. My periods now take longer than they used to when I started using IUDs,” she said.

Veneranda Mukamusoni, 37, a resident of Kabeza says she prefers the family planning injection though it has contributed to her weight gain and random headaches.

The Family Panning expert called upon women to get advice on family planning methods with less side effects from trained healthcare professionals.

Nsengiyumva noted that women should rush to a health facility when they suffer from serious side effects like palpitation of the heart, heavy bleeding, hypertension and pain in the pelvis, which are some of the dangerous side effects.

Ends