POSTINOR 2; A POSTPONEMENT OF REALITY

There was quite an uproar on my Facebook wall when I put up a picture of Postinor 2. Apparently, it was akin to breaking a taboo. As with most topics which have sexual implications or connotations, Postinor2 certainly evokes mixed feelings. 

Now, if you weren't a bit adventurous in the (what's the Biblical expression?), days of thy youth, or you were one of those students who buried their heads in medieval books at the Balme Library or any other such ancient library for that matter, then I believe I need to tell you what Postinor 2 is.

Postinor 2 is an example of an Emergency Contraception Pill (ECP). So, to put it in simpler terms, they are taken after an unprotected sexual intercourse to prevent ovulation or fertilization and thus pregnancy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_contraception.

Postinor 2 aka Agyenkwa

From a casual observation, it is clear that ECP use (especially Postinor 2), is quite common among unmarried people especially the youth. And in most cases, the "emergencies" which warrant their use, are equally quiet frequent too. This has led to some sort of abuse of this form of medication which some have so eloquently called "Agyenkwa" (The Saviour). An apt name to describe the salvation it has provided many a youth when expected fatherhood and motherhood stared them in the face. 

More often than not, it is the females who are left to do the running around looking for an ECP to quickly prevent the impending effects of unprotected sexual adventure. So, the scene which often plays out is one where the male goes home to reminisce after another sexual conquest and the female counterpart is left bothered about the possibility of an unwarranted pregnancy. 

 Amidst the uproar and discussions which greeted my Facebook post, I received lots of messages from some online friends narrating their history with Postinor 2. And with their kindest permission, I share some of these stories. Though funny and retold with lots of anecdotes, I can confidently say that it wasn't fun at all when pregnancy stared them in the face. 

Anyways, do take a read and make up your mind whether you will consider an "emergency" pill or a more longer term form of contraceptive.

                                    MY BOOK OF POSTINOR STORIES

These are true stories shared with me.

Story 1 Male.

Sunday morning I'm in church.

Sunday evening a church member visits sleeps over.
No protection( don't ask) Monday morning I buy postinor

Her: Eeeiii Kay, don't you know it's a sin to use contraceptives!!!!

I sweated for a month until I saw red!!!

Story 2. Female.

Charley, some years ago, I was with my my first boyfriend.

The condoms did not work so around 9pm on Sunday,

I was in my Kaba and Slit (yep, it was Sunday, remember?) going around stores in East legon looking for a pill. 

I went to the pharmacist and asked in my shy voice if there is any 24 hr emergency pill.

He said sure and handed Postinor 2. 

Hahahaha, I didn't even trust it cos it was Ghana, figured nothing will work. 

But it did the job. Smh.

Seems lots of things go down on Sundays huh?

Story 3. Female.

So one day he visits and we did it (you certainly don't need me to tell you what "it" means, right?)
Now he leaves and I gotta take a pill.

I went shyly to a pharmacy and feebly asked the middle aged man I met there if he had Postinor 2.

Man looked up from the book he was reading.

And then starts to speak loudly, "me dieee I don't sell that thing here ooo..."

"The bible says we should flee fornication!!"

"Young lady flee oo flee!!!!"

I am so damn embarrassed and walks away from the shop hurriedly!

Story 4. Male.

My phone rings.

Him: Charley that your pill nu, what's the name again?

Me: Which pill?

Him: The one the ladies take after the thing la.

Me: Oh, Postinor 2.

Him: Ahaaa!!! Oh Charley thanks wai..

30 minutes phone rings again.

Him: Charley how dem for take am again?

Me: One pill and then the next pill 12 hours later.

Him: Awww Yesu!! This girl will kill me ooo!!!

Me: Oh why?

Him: She go take the two all the same time la.

Story 5. Female.

Second time I ever had sex was in 2nd year at university. We did the thing (yep, same thing) on a Saturday night. I was worried I wasn't safe so he called his girlfriend (which I didn't know he had) and asked her the name of the drug she took the last time they did it and that a friend wanted it for his girlfriend.

He got the name and then told me to go to Makola and look for one of the pharmacies and quietly ask for the medicine because apparently it's illegal.

And so early Sunday morning I woke up and roamed the whole of Makola to no avail because no shop was open.So I waited till Monday and continued the search. I found a pharmacy but how to enter was a problem. I walked past it aimlessly for close to an hour before I gathered the vim to enter.

Upon entering I sat till there was no one at the counter buying then approached one of the guys. I whispered to him that I did the thing and wanted an emergency pill (because I didn't trust the lying bastard and his girlfriend?.

The guy told me to sit and wait that because the medicine is illegal he has to go get it from their store room underground.I sat there and brought the medicine and said it was GHc 17 and naive as I was I gladly paid and left.

My roommate found the pack and that was when she told me its a common drug and it was only GHc 3 at the time and it works only within 72 hours and its more effective the earlier I take it. Being cheated didn't matter to me but the fact that buying and taking it later scared the shit outta me

I counted the days till I saw red!
Whiles waiting for red I went to church and promised God I will never do the thing again.

Story 6. Female.

Hmmmm, I had a friend who used postinor 2 almost every 2 months and I kept advising her to stop until one fateful thursday evening dumsor hit my area like tsunami and I decided to go visit my boyfriend.

Well I slept over. Next morning he dropped me off at Zongo Junction. Come see me sweating profusely looking for a pharmacy to buy postinor. I went to Old Road Chemist. It was CLOSED. Randy's pharmacy. CLOSED.

I knew i was dead meat if i didn't get Postinor. Chai! I roamed the street of Madina from 6am till i got some at Social Welfare around 10am.

Mind you i was ready with my water before entering the pharmacy!!

So, have you ever used an ECP (especially Postinor 2)before? What's your story?

POSTINOR 2; A POSTPONEMENT OF REALITY

There was quite an uproar on my Facebook wall when I put up a picture of Postinor 2. Apparently, it was akin to breaking a taboo. As with most topics which have sexual implications or connotations, Postinor2 certainly evokes mixed feelings. 

Now, if you weren't a bit adventurous in the (what's the Biblical expression?), days of thy youth, or you were one of those students who buried their heads in medieval books at the Balme Library or any other such ancient library for that matter, then I believe I need to tell you what Postinor 2 is.

Postinor 2 is an example of an Emergency Contraception Pill (ECP). So, to put it in simpler terms, they are taken after an unprotected sexual intercourse to prevent ovulation or fertilization and thus pregnancy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_contraception.

Postinor 2 aka Agyenkwa

From a casual observation, it is clear that ECP use (especially Postinor 2), is quite common among unmarried people especially the youth. And in most cases, the "emergencies" which warrant their use, are equally quiet frequent too. This has led to some sort of abuse of this form of medication which some have so eloquently called "Agyenkwa" (The Saviour). An apt name to describe the salvation it has provided many a youth when expected fatherhood and motherhood stared them in the face. 

More often than not, it is the females who are left to do the running around looking for an ECP to quickly prevent the impending effects of unprotected sexual adventure. So, the scene which often plays out is one where the male goes home to reminisce after another sexual conquest and the female counterpart is left bothered about the possibility of an unwarranted pregnancy. 

 Amidst the uproar and discussions which greeted my Facebook post, I received lots of messages from some online friends narrating their history with Postinor 2. And with their kindest permission, I share some of these stories. Though funny and retold with lots of anecdotes, I can confidently say that it wasn't fun at all when pregnancy stared them in the face. 

Anyways, do take a read and make up your mind whether you will consider an "emergency" pill or a more longer term form of contraceptive.

                                    MY BOOK OF POSTINOR STORIES

These are true stories shared with me.

Story 1 Male.

Sunday morning I'm in church.

Sunday evening a church member visits sleeps over.
No protection( don't ask) Monday morning I buy postinor

Her: Eeeiii Kay, don't you know it's a sin to use contraceptives!!!!

I sweated for a month until I saw red!!!

Story 2. Female.

Charley, some years ago, I was with my my first boyfriend.

The condoms did not work so around 9pm on Sunday,

I was in my Kaba and Slit (yep, it was Sunday, remember?) going around stores in East legon looking for a pill. 

I went to the pharmacist and asked in my shy voice if there is any 24 hr emergency pill.

He said sure and handed Postinor 2. 

Hahahaha, I didn't even trust it cos it was Ghana, figured nothing will work. 

But it did the job. Smh.

Seems lots of things go down on Sundays huh?

Story 3. Female.

So one day he visits and we did it (you certainly don't need me to tell you what "it" means, right?)
Now he leaves and I gotta take a pill.

I went shyly to a pharmacy and feebly asked the middle aged man I met there if he had Postinor 2.

Man looked up from the book he was reading.

And then starts to speak loudly, "me dieee I don't sell that thing here ooo..."

"The bible says we should flee fornication!!"

"Young lady flee oo flee!!!!"

I am so damn embarrassed and walks away from the shop hurriedly!

Story 4. Male.

My phone rings.

Him: Charley that your pill nu, what's the name again?

Me: Which pill?

Him: The one the ladies take after the thing la.

Me: Oh, Postinor 2.

Him: Ahaaa!!! Oh Charley thanks wai..

30 minutes phone rings again.

Him: Charley how dem for take am again?

Me: One pill and then the next pill 12 hours later.

Him: Awww Yesu!! This girl will kill me ooo!!!

Me: Oh why?

Him: She go take the two all the same time la.

Story 5. Female.

Second time I ever had sex was in 2nd year at university. We did the thing (yep, same thing) on a Saturday night. I was worried I wasn't safe so he called his girlfriend (which I didn't know he had) and asked her the name of the drug she took the last time they did it and that a friend wanted it for his girlfriend.

He got the name and then told me to go to Makola and look for one of the pharmacies and quietly ask for the medicine because apparently it's illegal.

And so early Sunday morning I woke up and roamed the whole of Makola to no avail because no shop was open.So I waited till Monday and continued the search. I found a pharmacy but how to enter was a problem. I walked past it aimlessly for close to an hour before I gathered the vim to enter.

Upon entering I sat till there was no one at the counter buying then approached one of the guys. I whispered to him that I did the thing and wanted an emergency pill (because I didn't trust the lying bastard and his girlfriend?.

The guy told me to sit and wait that because the medicine is illegal he has to go get it from their store room underground.I sat there and brought the medicine and said it was GHc 17 and naive as I was I gladly paid and left.

My roommate found the pack and that was when she told me its a common drug and it was only GHc 3 at the time and it works only within 72 hours and its more effective the earlier I take it. Being cheated didn't matter to me but the fact that buying and taking it later scared the shit outta me

I counted the days till I saw red!
Whiles waiting for red I went to church and promised God I will never do the thing again.

Story 6. Female.

Hmmmm, I had a friend who used postinor 2 almost every 2 months and I kept advising her to stop until one fateful thursday evening dumsor hit my area like tsunami and I decided to go visit my boyfriend.

Well I slept over. Next morning he dropped me off at Zongo Junction. Come see me sweating profusely looking for a pharmacy to buy postinor. I went to Old Road Chemist. It was CLOSED. Randy's pharmacy. CLOSED.

I knew i was dead meat if i didn't get Postinor. Chai! I roamed the street of Madina from 6am till i got some at Social Welfare around 10am.

Mind you i was ready with my water before entering the pharmacy!!

So, have you ever used an ECP (especially Postinor 2)before? What's your story?

Aphrodisiac use among the youth: a worrying trend

Last weekend, whilst still recovering from the rather disgraceful end to the Black Stars' World Cup dream, I walked into a pharmacy to pick up some painkillers . As I entered the pharmacy, I chanced upon a group of young men in their late 20s and mid 30s at the counter. I picked up bits of their interaction with the attendant at the pharmacy and watched as they gleefully talked about the "drug" they were purchasing. 

 

Something about the interaction got the group to burst into bouts of laughter. Whilst still standing there waiting for my turn to be served, I heard one of them tell the rest in Twi, "aduro wei b3ma wu ako 3 rounds straight". To wit, "this drug will make you perform 3 rounds of sex at a go". This comment gave the young men away about the drug they were buying. Aphrodisiacs.

 

I smiled as I wondered why strong and energetic young men needed aphrodisiacs at their ages to please their women. Anyways, no sooner than that, it was my turn and I could not help but inquire a bit more about aphrodisiac use among young people which I later found out is on the increase lately.

USERS

According to the attendant, Elsie, their clientele base is made up largely of young people between the ages 25 and 38 years just like the group I met. She also intimated that most purchases are made on Fridays leading into the weekends. She however indicated that they have had much younger people walk in to buy aphrodisiacs. Most of their customers were males but they also encounter females once in awhile. A normal male adult is at his sexual prime between these years and should be able to perform at 'full capacity" without the aids of any stimulants or aphrodisiacs. So I found it a bit unusual the increasing numbers of males who are turning into sexual enhancing drugs for "stamina" and "vim" to perform. Are we looking at a society of randy young people who are now exploring all avenues to experiment with their sexual prowess? What could be accounting for this sudden surge for aphrodisiacs?

TYPES

I also found out that there were various types of aphrodisiacs; to think that I never noticed them in all of my previous visits to the pharmacy shop, beats me. There they were with fantastic names and colourful pictures of virile men and women with some intimate parts displayed on their boxes. Stone, one such aphrodisiac, promises a three hour erection to any one who dared to use it. I am told this particular one is quite popular among patrons. Black Diamond is another one which promises the same blissful time of pleasure. Spanish Fly, I hear, can turn the heads of the most reluctant lady if administered in drinks and other such medium. This sent shivers down my spine as I wondered how many ladies may have fallen to unscrupulous persons who gave them drinks laced with it.

Most of these products especially those at the pharmacies and drug stores are from destinations unknown; there are often no clearly stated country of origins on the packaging. Some are also known to be from China.  It is thus difficult to confirm their safety for use. There are no indications they have undergone any quality check with the appropriate regulatory bodies such as the Ghana Standards Authority, and the Food and Drugs Authority.

But then, aphrodisiacs are not limited to the foreign ones. These days, it is a common sight to see table top herbal medicine stands with their sales persons championing one herbal concoction or the other which they claim will make a man "go on long journey". These stands usually have carvings of the male phallus displayed as main attractions. I am informed they are very well patronized. Sometimes, sellers of such local aphrodisiacs board public transport and display their potent wares.

Television and radio ads are not spared as viewers and listeners are bombarded each day even during prime time with one advert of local liquor which allegedly also have aphrodisiac qualities. It appears to be the marketing norm lately to tag liquor with the aphrodisiac potency to boost sales  and patronage.

RISKS

Aphrodisiac use does come with some risks as pointed out to me by the pharmacy attendant who was blushing at this point. I was shocked to hear of tales of men being dashed to the emergency rooms with a long term erection a condition known in medical terms as Priapism. There are also stories of some who died after long hours of "enhanced" sex bouts. For those who lived to tell the stories, long use of such enhancement drugs finally results in infertility and sexual dysfunction. The lost of valuable human resources through such avoidable and preventable deaths is one which cannot be quantified. 

I believe we should be worried about the proliferation of such drugs on our market especially when no proper checks about their safety have been carried out. Of concern to us as a society also, should be on the reasons why young people especially the men, are going in for aphrodisiacs as a means of boosting and showing off their virility. The advertising of local liquor as an aphrodisiac must also be checked since it can promote excessive alcohol intake and encourage inappropriate behavior especially among young people.

Stunned by the revelations from the pharmacy attendant,  I walked out without picking up my drugs with a worried look on my face as I wondered what a horny society we are gradually becoming.