Contraception & Family Planning

12 drugs · 1 OTC · 11 Prescription

Oral contraceptive pills, emergency contraception, and hormonal birth control

When to see a doctor

Seek care if you notice any of the following

If you have severe chest pain or pressure that spreads to your arms, back, neck, or jaw, go to your nearest clinic or hospital immediately.
If you experience sudden, severe headache with vomiting, confusion, or seizures, go to your nearest clinic or hospital right away.
If you have heavy bleeding or spotting that lasts more than 7 days, or if you pass clots larger than a coin, go to your nearest clinic or hospital soon.
If you notice a change in your vision, such as double vision, blurred vision, or loss of vision, go to your nearest clinic or hospital as soon as possible.
If you have severe abdominal pain or cramping that doesn't improve with pain relief medication, go to your nearest clinic or hospital soon.

For guidance only: always consult a qualified healthcare provider.

Progestogen

Hormonal treatment

Dienogest

Prescription

Endometriosis (a condition where tissue from the womb grows outside it, causing serious period pain, heavy bleeding, and difficulty getting pregnant)

1 Nigerian brand

Progestogen

Regulates menstrual cycle and prevents pregnancy

Dydrogesterone

Prescription

Irregular periods, painful periods, heavy menstrual bleeding, endometriosis (when womb tissue grows outside the womb causing pain), threatened miscarriage, recurrent miscarriage, infertility due to low progesterone, premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

2 Nigerian brands

Combined hormonal contraceptive and anti-androgen

Prevents pregnancy and reduces acne severity

Ethinylestradiol; Cyproterone Acetate

Prescription

Severe acne that doesn't respond to other treatments, excessive facial or body hair in women (hirsutism), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) symptoms, and it also works as a contraceptive (prevents pregnancy) while treating these conditions

2 Nigerian brands

Combined oral contraceptive

hormonal birth control

Ethinylestradiol; Levonorgestrel

Prescription

Prevention of pregnancy (family planning), regulation of irregular periods, heavy or painful menstruation

2 Nigerian brands

Combined oral contraceptive with iron supplement

Prevents pregnancy and treats iron deficiency

Ethinylestradiol; Levonorgestrel; Ferrous fumarate

Prescription

Prevention of pregnancy, regulation of menstrual cycle, heavy or painful periods

2 Nigerian brands

Progestin

Hydroxyprogesterone caproate

Prescription

Prevention of preterm birth (baby coming too early) in women who have had a preterm baby before, certain menstrual problems, hormone-related conditions

1 Nigerian brand

Progestogen

hormonal contraceptive

Levonorgestrel

OTC

Emergency contraception (morning-after pill) after unprotected sex or failed contraception, regular daily contraception (in low-dose form), long-term contraception (as hormonal IUD/coil), heavy menstrual bleeding

12 Nigerian brands

Progestogen

hormonal contraceptive / hormone therapy

Medroxyprogesterone Acetate

Prescription

Family planning (contraception), irregular menstrual periods, heavy or painful periods, endometriosis (when womb tissue grows outside the womb), abnormal bleeding from the womb, certain types of cancer (breast, kidney, womb lining)

4 Nigerian brands

Abortifacient

pregnancy-terminating medicine

Mifepristone; Misoprostol

Prescription

Medical termination of early pregnancy (usually up to 9 weeks or 63 days from the last menstrual period)

2 Nigerian brands

Progestogen

Norethisterone

Prescription

Heavy or painful periods, irregular periods, delaying your period (e.g. for travel or events), endometriosis (a condition where womb tissue grows outside the womb causing pain), premenstrual syndrome (PMS), abnormal bleeding from the womb

2 Nigerian brands

Hormonal contraceptive

Norethisterone enantate

Prescription

Prevention of pregnancy (family planning), short-term contraception between switching methods

Progestogen

female hormone

Progesterone

Prescription

Irregular periods, absence of menstruation (when your period stops coming), support during fertility treatment (IVF), prevention of miscarriage in early pregnancy, hormone replacement therapy for women going through menopause

9 Nigerian brands

When to see a doctor

Seek care if you notice any of the following

If you have severe chest pain or pressure that spreads to your arms, back, neck, or jaw, go to your nearest clinic or hospital immediately.
If you experience sudden, severe headache with vomiting, confusion, or seizures, go to your nearest clinic or hospital right away.
If you have heavy bleeding or spotting that lasts more than 7 days, or if you pass clots larger than a coin, go to your nearest clinic or hospital soon.
If you notice a change in your vision, such as double vision, blurred vision, or loss of vision, go to your nearest clinic or hospital as soon as possible.
If you have severe abdominal pain or cramping that doesn't improve with pain relief medication, go to your nearest clinic or hospital soon.

For guidance only: always consult a qualified healthcare provider.