Modern Contraception In Ukraine

Educating Ukrainian women and health practitioners in modern family planning methods is still met with high resistance in comparison to the traditional methods of birth control, which resulted in one of the highest abortion rates in the world. The traditional methods of contraception such as withdrawal, lemon juice and herbal remedies resulted in pregnancy therefore necessitating abortion if the child is not wanted.

While some women used the Uterine Device (IUD), use of the contraceptive pill was limited due to the gross myths and misconceptions of unpleasant side effects of infertility, increase of cardio-vascular problems, cancer and weight gain. The truth is that oral contraception does not contribute to infertility, cancer or weight gain. Contraception is considerably safer than abortion because many of the abortion techniques in use in Ukraine are outdated. In fact, in this country there is a considerable link between abortion and infertility and infection.

Nowadays 47% of married Ukrainian women are using modern contraception which is a combination of oral birth control and condoms. Condoms is seen as the safest method where the risk of HIV and AIDS is high but is not considered the best option since young people may not use them right or every time.

Educating health workers and pharmacists is still considered very important because there are some who are very ignorant of modern contraception. In 2006, the Reproductive Health of the Nation was launched in which over a ten year period an investment of $150 million will launch a program of reproductive health activities. Ukraine’s government initiative will focus on providing better and more up-to-date information for doctors to become trained to provide modern contraception.