Morning-After Pill ....For Men?

Dear Aunty Nurse Readers,

I hope you had a great weekend!

You'll observe that most of my topics center around the subject of drug abuse. This is simply because its way too common in Lagos and Nigeria as a whole and this is majorly due to poor drug regulation.

Thanks to Dora Akunyili (former DG of NAFDAC), the system has been sanitized a great deal especially with regards to the control of fake medicine importation. However, we still have a long way to go.

Now to the topic of the day: While ladies troop in to the pharmacy to buy Morning-After pills lots of men do the same. The number one Morning- After pill for Lagos men is Ampiclox. Yes, most men I have come across in my time of practice, seem to believe that taking one or two capsules of Ampiclox after unprotected sexual intercourse makes them safe and covered.

 On man occasions, I tried to find out on many occasions why they were purchasing incomplete doses of the drug. Initially, most of them refused to give any information on their reasons but eventually I got some f them to talk  and  their reasons bordered around issues such as fear of getting STDs through unprotected sex, damaged condoms during intercourse, for "blood purifcation" etc

It is really worrisome the way Nigerians use and  abuse drugs. Honestly, I really don't know where to start counselling from. Today, I will focus more on the health issue and less on the obvious moral issue in this case. Having multiple sex partners fetches you no profit. My opinion on that subject is simple, you have two options, get married and be faithful or abstain.

Now to the health issue, taking one capsule of Ampiclox after unprotected sex does not protect you from STDs. 

There are procedures to follow. 

If you think you are at risk of an infection you should seek the counsel of a Medical Doctor. If you can't afford a private hospital, go to a Primary Health Center or General Hospital. Before you go to see a doctor in such a place, ensure that you get a Urine, Culture and Sensitivity Test, because most Primary Health centers do not have in-house labs. 

To find out whether your urinary tract has been infected, your Lab Technician will test a sample of your urine for bacteria and pus. The general practice is to ask for a "clean catch" urine sample by washing the genital area and collecting a "midstream" sample in a sterile container. This method of collecting urine prevents bacteria around the genital area from getting into the sample that may complicate the test results. The sample is then sent to a laboratory, if the doctor's office is not equipped to perform the testing. (In summary, take a clean shower and wear "CLEAN" boxers, before going to give  sample, so it doesn't get contaminated)

In the urinalysis test, the urine is tested for red and white blood cells and bacteria. If bacteria are present, it is then grown in a culture (a plate of food the bacteria likes) and tested against different antibiotics to see which drug is most effective against it. Some microbes, like Mycoplasma and Chlamydia, can be detected only with specific bacterial cultures. A doctor suspects a microbial infection when a man displays symptoms of a UTI/STD (Urinary tract Infection), but a standard culture doesn't display any bacterial growth. 

Top 10 STD symptoms:

1. Painful Urination: This can be the result of a number of STDs including Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, or Trichomoniasis.

2. Discharge from the Penis: Discharge that is sticky, milky, mucus- like, cloudy, thick, or bloody could be due to Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, or Trichomoniasis.

3. Sores, Bumps, or Blisters on the Penis and Genital Area, Anus, Tongue or Lips: Small painless sores can be a symptom of Syphilis, while small red bumps, blisters or open sores may be symptoms of Herpes.

4.  Fever: This can be a vague symptom as many illnesses can cause a fever. However, when your body is fighting the early stages of HIV or Syphilis, this may be your only symptom 

5. Itching: Gonorrhea can cause anal itching, Trichomoniasis can cause itching inside the penis, Herpes can cause itching around the genital area, butt, and inner thighs, and Hepatitis can cause generalized itching.

6. Pain: Testicular pain may be due to Chlamydia or Gonorrhea, while pain during sex may be due to Trichomoniasis. Gonorrhea can also cause painful bowel movements (stooling). Additionally, Herpes can cause pain around the genital area, butt, and inner thighs, and Hepatitis can cause muscle or joint pain as well as abdominal pain especially around your liver (right side beneath your lower ribs).

 

7. Swollen Lymph Glands: This may be one of the first symptoms of HIV or Syphilis.

8. Fatigue: This could be a symptom of either HIV or Syphilis.

9. Headache: This could be an early symptom of HIV.

10. Rash: Again, this could be an early symptom of HIV.


Keep in mind that a significant number people who contract STDs will remain symptom free, and while condoms are highly effective for preventing the spread of STD, they are not 100% effective. It is important if you are experiencing any of these symptoms to seek STD testing to identify the infection and to find treatment.

I suggest that you get a test carried out on you at least twice a year. 

Be Safe.

Signed,

Aunty Nurse