A public health official in Nigeria has spoken out against common misconceptions about contraceptive pills, stating categorically that they do not cause cervical cancer or infertility.
Mrs Roseline Akinlabi, an experienced family planning trainer and public health nurse, addressed the issue during a virtual awareness programme held in Osogbo, organised by the State Public Health Media Team in partnership with The Challenge Initiative (TCI).
In her presentation titled “The Impacts of Family Planning Myths and Misconceptions on Spacing, Unplanned Pregnancy and Unsafe Abortion”, Akinlabi stressed the need to counter harmful beliefs that deter women from accessing reproductive healthcare.
“Contraceptive pills do not cause cancer of the cervix, ovaries, or uterus, nor do they lead to permanent infertility or encourage promiscuity,” she explained. “These are baseless myths that continue to affect women’s lives and choices negatively.”
She pointed to the broader consequences of misinformation, which she said include rising rates of adolescent pregnancy, unsafe abortions, and maternal mortality in Nigeria.
“These myths and misconceptions fuel fear, obstruct access to modern contraceptive methods, and ultimately endanger lives,” Akinlabi warned. “We must work together to replace these falsehoods with facts.”
Akinlabi emphasised that family planning is a fundamental right that allows individuals to choose when and how many children to have, significantly enhancing maternal and child health.
She urged families, communities, and policymakers to take collective responsibility in educating the public and creating supportive environments where women and girls can make informed reproductive decisions without fear or stigma.
