CONTRACEPTIVE SIGNS OF CONFLICT – INTRODUCTION
Contraceptive decisions are complicated, involving as they do the questions of whether to have children, the timing of such children and how many are wanted, as well as the choice of which contraceptive method and who should use it. Conflicts may manifest themselves in a variety of different ways. There can be a complaint or dissatisfaction with all methods. While such discontent may be legitimate in the sense that there is no perfect method, nevertheless most people do manage to make a choice. It may be necessary to confront the patient directly with a remark such as, ‘It seems that no method is any good, and it is true we do not have the ideal method, but I was wondering if anything else was troubling you.’ Such a remark can give the woman the necessary space to talk rather than forcing a choice upon her. She may have allowed herself to get frightened by the horror stories about the methods, exaggerating the dangers. She may feel she needs protecting against the risks of life itself and may wish she did not have to be grown up and take responsibility for her own actions. She may resent her partner’s irresponsible attitude.
*8/197/1*
