Relief in Sight: New solution targets contraceptive side effects

Dar es Salaam. Women in Tanzania now have a new option for family planning following the launch of Injecta-Fem, a 3-month contraceptive injection introduced by DKT International Tanzania.

The launch, held in Dar es Salaam on April 26, 2025, marks a significant step in expanding reproductive health choices for women, especially those experiencing side effects from existing methods.

Injecta-Fem, a WHO-prequalified product, offers a 99 percent effective method of pregnancy prevention and is administered every 12 weeks by a trained healthcare provider.

This latest development responds to the urgent need for safer, affordable, and diverse family planning solutions in Tanzania, where many women abandon contraception due to side effects or limited choices.

Speaking during the launch, DKT International Tanzania’s Country Manager, Mr Navid Adatia, emphasised that the product was developed with women’s health concerns at its core.

“Our product is based on professional research. It is very easy to use and allows quick intervention in case challenges arise. Women can visit healthcare providers for advice if they encounter side effects,” he explained.

He added that Injecta-Fem, available in pharmacies across the country, must be administered by qualified healthcare professionals to ensure maximum safety.

For years, family planning advocates have warned that the lack of diverse contraceptive options leaves many women vulnerable.

A pharmaceutical technician, Ms Haikaeli Yeremia, stressed the critical importance of having multiple family planning options.

“Each woman’s body, health condition, and life circumstances are different. No single method works for everyone, especially considering the varying side effects contraceptives can cause,” she said.

“Choice is central to reproductive rights; when women can choose a method that suits them best, they are more likely to use it effectively and consistently,” she added.

Studies have shown that hormonal methods, while effective, may cause side effects such as weight gain, mood swings, and blood pressure complications.

Long-acting reversible methods like intrauterine devices (IUDs) or non-hormonal options like condoms often offer alternatives, but not every woman reacts positively to each method.

A pharmacist, Mr Ambrose Mjema, echoed the sentiment, saying, “Expanding contraceptive options empowers Tanzanian women to find methods that fit their health needs, lifestyles, and reproductive goals.”

“Without a variety of options, women may stop using contraception altogether, increasing the risk of unintended pregnancies,” he added.

The World Health Organization (WHO) also supports this view, stating that “access to a broad range of contraceptive methods is key to achieving universal health coverage.”

For women like 32-year-old Amina Mohamed from Kinondoni, Dar es Salaam, the launch of new contraceptive options could be life-changing.

Ms Mohamed shared her personal experience of battling severe side effects from traditional hormonal contraceptives.

“I started using injectable contraception five years ago, but within months, I gained a lot of weight, experienced constant mood swings, and even developed high blood pressure,” she recounted.

“My doctor advised me to stop, but there were no better alternatives for me. I ended up discontinuing family planning altogether, which was a risk I didn’t want to take,” Ms Mohamed said.

Hearing about Injecta-Fem and other newly researched methods gives Ms Mohamed hope.

“It means women like me won’t be forced to choose between harmful side effects and unwanted pregnancies. I believe if new products are safer and flexible, more women will embrace family planning,” she said.

Medical personnel, Ms Meseline Mulokozi highlighted that continued research into affordable and better-tolerated contraceptive methods is crucial.

"Many women find themselves uncomfortable with the available options. The introduction of newly researched, modern solutions provides a wider choice for women to select what aligns with their body’s reactions," she said.

With Injecta-Fem now joining the basket of family planning options in Tanzania, experts hope that more women will feel empowered to manage their reproductive health confidently and safely.