CHI medicine stock includes several important family planning items. Giving the right method to the right woman in the correct way is essential for the mother’s health and proper spacing between children.
Family planning is not only about preventing children. It is a joint decision by husband and wife about how many children to have and the gap between them. Spacing helps the mother’s body recover, improves the child’s health, and reduces the economic burden on the household. These services are free at Punjab government health centres and through community health workers.
Questions to ask before starting a method
- Are you pregnant, or is there a chance of pregnancy?
- When was your last menstrual period? Are periods regular?
- Are you breastfeeding? What is the child’s age?
- How many children do you have, and how old is the youngest?
- Do you want more children or only want spacing?
- Do you have or have you had breast cancer?
- Do you have any liver disease?
- Have you had blood clotting disorders, heart disease or stroke?
- Do you have high blood pressure or diabetes?
- Do you get severe headaches, especially with visual aura/lights?
- Is there unexplained abnormal bleeding?
- Have you used any method before? Did any problem occur?
- Do you have any drug allergy?
- Do you smoke?
Ask all these questions in order. If any answer indicates risk, consult trained medical staff before providing a method.
Famila Injection (3-month injectable)
This is a progestin-only hormonal injection. It stops ovulation. One injection protects against pregnancy for about three months.
Who can receive it:
- Women who find it hard to remember a daily pill
- Breastfeeding mothers
- Those who want a longer-term method but not permanent
Who should not receive it:
- Women who have or have had breast cancer
- Women with unexplained abnormal bleeding
- Women with severe liver or clotting disorders
- Pregnant women
How to use:
- Given intramuscularly, not subcutaneously
- Shake the vial well before injection
- Best given within the first seven days of the menstrual cycle
- Next injection is due after 13 weeks
- A few weeks of delay is allowed — check the exact limit in your department guidelines
- For breastfeeding mothers after delivery, consult medical staff if giving before six weeks
Possible effects:
- Periods may become irregular or stop for several months
- Weight gain or headache may occur
- Return of fertility after stopping may take a few months
Lysol / Lynestrenol Pill (daily pill)
It contains no estrogen, so breastfeeding mothers can also take it.
Who can take it:
- Breastfeeding mothers
- Women who cannot take estrogen-containing pills
- Women who can take a pill at the same time every day
Who should not take it:
- Women who have or have had breast cancer
- Women with liver disease
- Women with unexplained abnormal bleeding
- Pregnant women
- Breastfeeding mothers: consult medical staff if starting before six weeks after delivery
How to use:
- Each pack has 28 pills with no break between packs
- Follow the days and arrows printed on the pack
- Take at the same time every day
- If more than three hours late, take as soon as remembered and use condoms for the next two days
- Starting in the first five days of the period gives immediate protection
Possible effects:
- Light bleeding, nausea, headache or mild breast tenderness
- These effects usually decrease within a few weeks
E-Kit (Emergency pill)
This is not a regular method. It is used only in emergency after unprotected intercourse.
How to use:
- Take as soon as possible, preferably within three days
- Effectiveness decreases with delay
- Follow the dose and timing written on the pack
- It does not terminate an existing pregnancy and does not harm it
Precautions:
- Do not give it as a regular method
- Advise any woman who needs it repeatedly to adopt a regular method
- Do not give if there is severe allergy to the medicine
- If the next period is more than one week late, do a pregnancy test
Possible effects:
- Nausea, fatigue, headache or light bleeding
Condom
This is the only method that protects against both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
Who to give it to:
- Every couple, especially newly married couples
- Women who want additional protection along with another method
Generally no medical restriction. If latex allergy is present, give non-latex condoms.
Permanent method (surgery)
If a woman or man wants a permanent method (operation), the system on your tablet will show the nearest five centres. Refer them there.
Points to remember
- Famila injection, Lysol pill and E-Kit do not protect against sexually transmitted infections — condoms are needed for that
- No single method suits every woman
- Ask all the questions before starting a method and consult trained medical staff when needed
- Contact your nearest health centre or community health worker — the service is free
This article is based on practical experience and general medical guidelines. In case of any doubt, always confirm with your department’s official instructions and your supervisor.