Table 4 Barriers to uptake and continuation of modern family planning methods

Loss of menstruation

“What I have heard people say is that when you do family planning, you will not menstruate. God created women to menstruate every month, but because of the use of family planning people are not menstruating and that is what is causing the dizziness and tiredness when you walk a short distance. That is what some people are saying.” (Woman with Met need, 20–29 years old)

“Some also say you can die early because you are not able to menstruate.” (Woman with Unmet Need, 20–29 years old)

Excessive menstruation

“I stopped using it because I was menstruating every two weeks. I thought I was developing some sickness, so I became afraid and stopped using it. Every two weeks when I was menstruating, I bled for so long without it stopping, sometimes throughout the two weeks, so I became afraid and stopped using it.” (Woman with Unmet Need, 30–39 years old)

Sickness and physical impacts

“When I go to my friend, and she suggests we go and do family planning, I tell her no because they say when you do it, you become sick and dizzy. Some also say that when you do the family planning you lose so much weight and you become shabby looking … (My partner) always tells me to do the family planning, but I just didn’t want to do it. (Woman with Unmet Need, 20–29 years old)

I haven’t regretted using family planning, but I was constantly getting sick after doing the 3-month injectable method. So, I stopped and got pregnant with my lastborn because I knew it was the 3-month injectable that was making me sick. But after that birth, I began using the 1-month injectable method.” (Woman with Met Need, 40–49 years old)

Death

“Some also say you can die early because you are not able to menstruate. When the blood cannot come out, it settles in your abdomen and can kill you. And some also say you can become barren or that family planning renders you incapable of having more children.” (Woman with Unmet Need, 20–29 years old)

“There are also rumors in this community that someone went to do the implant and it is said the implant got lost in her bloodstream and she died.” (Woman with Unmet Need, 30–39 years old)

Infertility

“When I decided to do the family planning, some people told me that you will be able to space your births and your children, but when you decide to give birth, it will be impossible.” (Woman with Met Need, 20–29 years old)