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The Ministry of Health has launched a program offering free Hormonal Intrauterine Devices (IUDs), which are often recommended for women experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding.
Dr. Albert Ndwiga, the Head of Family Planning in Kenya, announced that this contraceptive option will now be available at all public health facilities nationwide. The initiative aims to provide more options for women who might struggle to access these methods due to financial constraints or medical issues related to traditional contraceptives.
“There is a significant number of women who could greatly benefit from hormonal-based family planning, such as Hormonal IUDs. The Ministry of Health is also training healthcare workers to ensure high-quality service delivery,” he explained.
Previously, Hormonal IUDs were only obtainable at private health facilities, with costs ranging between Sh20,000 and Sh35,000.
Ndwiga noted that, in addition to preventing pregnancy, hormonal IUDs help manage menorrhagia, which is characterized by painful or excessively heavy menstrual periods lasting up to ten days. If untreated, this condition can lead to iron-deficiency anemia.
“Besides preventing pregnancy, hormonal IUDs help alleviate menorrhagia, thereby reducing the risk of iron-deficiency anemia,” he added.
According to the 2022 Kenya Demographic Health Survey, incompatibility with a woman’s body is one reason why 14 percent of women who wish to delay pregnancy do not use modern contraceptives.
Data from the Division of Family Planning Programme at the Ministry of Health indicates that 6,816 IUDs have already been distributed to women across the country.
