Human Papillomavirus
HPV (human papillomavirus) is a sexually transmitted disease and is the most common cause of cervical cancer. When a woman is exposed to HPV, her immune system can usually prevent the virus from doing any harm. However, in a small number of women, HPV can survive for years eventually converting some cells on the surface of the cervix into cancer cells. At first the changes happen very slowly, with the cells only showing signs of a viral infection. Later, the cells become precancerous, then in time progessing to invasive cervical cancer.
Research isn't clear as to why some women are more likely to develop cervical cancer than others. It does show that cigarette smoking increases the risk of both precancerous changes and cancer of the cervix. Research has proven that using condoms and having fewer sexual partners is the best way to protect yourself from HPV infection. Early cervical cancer generally shows no signs or symptoms, but as the cancer progresses these signs may appear:
- Vaginal bleeding after intercourse, between periods or after menopause
- Watery, bloody vaginal discharge that may be heavy and have a foul odor
- Pelvic pain or pain during intercourse
There are more than 100 different types of HPV, but only a few cause genital warts. These strains of the virus are highly contagious. Genital warts affect the moist tissues of the genital area. They may look like small, flesh-colored bumps or have a cauliflower-like appearance. Genital warts may be as small as 1 to 2 millimeters in diameter - smaller than the width of a ballpoint pen refill - or may multiply into large clusters. About two-thirds of people who are sexually active with someone who has genital warts will develop the condition, usually within 3 months. They can be treated with medications and surgery.
While limiting your sexual partners and using a condom at all times helps reduce the risk of contracting HPV, unfortunately, there are no guarantees. HPV can spread through skin-to-skin contact with any infected part of the body. But there is hope. A new vaccine that offers protection from the most dangerous types of HPV has been approved. It is recommended that girls ages 11 and 12 as well as girls and women ages 13 to 26 (if they haven't received the vaccine yet) go in for routine vaccinations. The vaccine is most effective if given to girls before they become sexually active - but practicing safe sex and going to your doctor for regular checkups are still essential in protecting yourself from HPV.
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posted by BirthControlBuzz @ 1:23 PM
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Thursday, July 20, 2006
The dreaded Pap smear.
Although it is one of the least favourite procedures that women have to endure, the Pap smear has an important role to play in your health. A Pap smear is a test that checks for changes in the cells of your cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. The Pap smear test can help to detect cervical cancer at an early stage.
How is the Pap smear beneficial?
This procedure helps detect precancerous and cancerous conditions before they can progress to cancer that could spread to other parts of your body. However, the Pap smear is not 100% accurate. Occasionally, results will show normal cell growth when in fact abnormal cells are present. This is called a false-negative test.
What is a false-negative test?
To decrease your chances of a problem going undetected, make sure to go for a Pap smear on a regular basis. False-negative tests can occur for many reasons, including:
- the abnormal cells may not have been contained in the sample
- too many or too few cells to give an accurate reading
- an infection, which could cover up abnormal cells
What steps should I take to prepare for a Pap smear?
Do not douche or use vaginal creams for two days prior to the test. Do not have intercourse within twenty-four hours of the test because it could cause inaccurate test results. Do not use tampons, birth control foams or jellies for 48 hours prior to your appointment. Do not take tub baths, instead take showers for the two days prior to your appointment. Tell your doctor if you have been exposed to HPV - human papillomavirus, a virus that causes abnormal tissue growth (warts) and is often associated with some types of cancer.
What happens during and after the Pap smear?
You are first asked to lie on your back, with your knees bent and feet apart. Your doctor then inserts a speculum into your vagina so that the cervix is visible. A special swab is used to wipe off cells from the inside opening and outer part of the cervix. These cells are smeared onto a microscope slide and taken for analysis.
After the Pap smear has been performed and if the cells appear normal, no treatment is necessary. If an infection is present, treatment is prescribed. If the cells appear abnormal, more tests may be necessary.
Are some women at a higher risk for cervical cancer?
Women at an increased risk for cervical cancer include those who:
- have had more than one sexual partner or whose partner has had more than one partner
- were sexually active beginning at a young age (before age eighteen)
- have a history of genital warts
- smoke
BirthControlBuzz is a service company that provides birth control prices, birth control types (prescription required), health administrative services, and birth control statistics predominantly to US patients seeking to purchase pharmaceuticals on-line.
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posted by BirthControlBuzz @ 10:02 AM
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Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Myths about birth control pills debunked.
All birth control pills are created equal.
Birth control pills don't always contain the same type of hormones. For instance, a large number of currently available birth control pills contain the same estrogen (ethinyl estradiol), but differ in the progestin. The progestin in certain birth control pills may prompt disagreeable side effects such as fluid retention, breast swelling and tenderness, and acne. However,not all progetins trigger these effects to the same degree. An example is a newer progestin called norgestimate found in Tri-Cyclen which may be less likely to prompt those ugly side effects.
You don't have to take the Pill at the same time every day.
For maximum efficacy, birth control pills need to be taken at the same time every day. A great way to remember to take your pill is combining it with a daily routine, like brushing your teeth or eating a meal. Combination pills, like Yasmin or Alesse, are more than 99% effective when taken consistently and correctly.
Weight gain and birth control pills always go hand in hand.
Gaining weight is a big concern for women who are thinking about taking birth control pills. But statistics show that an equal amount of women tend to lose weight as gain it when taking the Pill. Discuss with your doctor about which combination of hormones is best if you are concerned about gaining weight.
You should wait a few months after stopping the Pill before trying to become pregnant.
While you can start trying to become pregnant right after stopping your birth control pills, you should talk with your doctor first to ensure a healthy pregnancy. You may want to hold off on trying to conceive until you've had a few normal menstrual cycles, this way a more accurate date of pregnancy can be establised.
The Pill protects against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
This is not true. Birth control pills offer no protection from HIV or other sexully transmitted diseases. Taking the Pill in combination with a latex condom, consistently and correctly, can greatly reduce your chances of not only pregnancy but acquiring or transmitting most sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.
You should take a break from using birth control pills for long periods of time.
Research shows that women don't need a break from the Pill and that women are in fact staying on the Pill longer. Some doctors are prescribing birth control pills to healthy, nonsmoking women over 40, provided of course, that there are no risk factors which may make taking the Pill inappropiate. How long you stay on the Pill is something you need to discuss with your doctor.
BirthControlBuzz is a service company that provides birth control prices, birth control types (prescription required), health administrative services, and birth control statistics predominantly to US patients seeking to purchase pharmaceuticals on-line. For more information, call 1-866-868-8850 or visit http://www.birthcontrolbuzz.com/. Stumble It!
posted by BirthControlBuzz @ 10:01 AM
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Thursday, July 13, 2006
Can antibiotics affect birth control pills?
Birth control pills can be affected by certain antibiotics, making the Pill less effective and increasing your chances of pregnancy. Mid-cycle bleeding (spotting) may be the first sign that an antibiotic is interacting with the effectiveness of your birth control pills.
Antibiotics that have been shown to interact with birth control pills include:
- rifampin (brand name Rifadin)
- penicillin (Veetids)
- amoxicillin (Amoxil)
- ampicillin (Omnipen)
- cotrimoxazole (Septra or Bactrim)
- tetracycline (Sumycin)
- minocycline (Minocin)
- metronidazole (Flagyl)
- nitrofurantoin (Macrobid or Macrodantin)
If you are using birth control pills and need to take an antibiotic, doctors generally recommend the use of a condom or spermicide as a back-up during and for a least one week after to help avoid your chances of pregnancy while taking the antibiotic. It's recommended to follow this routine - use the pill, back-up method, and antibiotics together - as opposed to stopping the pill while taking antibiotics and restarting the following month. When you stop and restart it can cause unnecessary readjustment for your body.
While the "how" and "why" of antibiotics interfering with birth control pills is still unclear, with interferences only happening a few times, don't take any chances. Always use a back-up method.
BirthControlBuzz is a service company that provides birth control prices, birth control types (prescription required), health administrative services, and birth control statistics predominantly to US patients seeking to purchase pharmaceuticals on-line.
For more information, call 1-866-868-8850 or visit http://www.birthcontrolbuzz.com/.
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posted by BirthControlBuzz @ 9:44 AM
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Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Why does birth control fail?
Women who use birth control may think they don't need to worry about failure of their contraceptive. But consider this, fifty-three percent of unplanned pregnancies occur in women who are using birth control. When considering a certain type of birth control most women often base their birth control choice on published success/ failure rates. However, these rates are based on "perfect use" - that means the birth control is used exactly as it should be during every act of sexual intercourse.
What are some reasons that birth control fails?
The reasons for failure are complex and vary according to method:
- Birth control pills may fail if a woman forgets to take them every day at the same time or if 2 or more pills are missed during a cycle and a back-up method of birth control is not used.
- Diaphragms and cervical caps can be moved out of place by the penis thrusting against the cervix.
- Condoms can break and/ or semen can leak from them.
- Period abstinence, or natural family planning, can fail if a woman does not accurately predict her fertile period.
- IUDs can be dislodged.
- Withdrawal can fail if pre-ejaculatory semen enters the cervix or if the man is unable to withdraw his penis before ejaculation.
Birth control failure rates
Implants and injectables 2-4% Oral contraceptives 9% Diaphragm and cervical cap 13% Male condom 15% Periodic abstinence 22% Withdrawal 26% Spermicides 28%Strategies for effective birth control
- Use your chosen birth control method consistently.
- Carefully follow instructions for the use of your birth control method.
- Use a back-up contraception like a condom, if you forget 2 or more birth control pills during your cycle.
- Certain antibiotics and other drugs can reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills--ask your pharmacist if this is a concern for you whenever you fill a prescription.
- Take birth control pills at the same time each day.
- Using a condom and spermicide with a diaphragm or cervical cap during your fertile period can result in almost 100% contraceptive success.
- If you use an IUD, check for the string extending from your cervix monthly, if you can't feel it use back-up birth control and call your doctor.
- Call your doctor immediately for emergency contraceptives, like Plan B, after unprotected sex.
BirthControlBuzz is a service company that provides birth control prices, birth control types (prescription required), health administrative services, and birth control statistics predominantly to US patients seeking to purchase pharmaceuticals on-line.
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posted by BirthControlBuzz @ 11:45 AM
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Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Birth control pills can relieve endometriosis.
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a common and often painful disorder of the female reproductive system. In this condition, a specialized type of tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus (the endometrium) becomes implanted outside your uterus, most commonly on your fallopian tubes, ovaries or the tissue lining your pelvis. Rarely, endometrial tissue may spread beyond your pelvic region.
When endometrial tissue is located in other parts of your body, it continues to act like your normal period: It thickens, breaks down and bleeds each month as your hormone levels rise and fall. However, because there's nowhere for the blood from this mislocated tissue to go, it becomes trapped in your body, and surrounding tissue can become irritated.
Trapped blood may lead to the growth of cysts. Cysts, in turn, may form scar tissue and adhesions - abnormal tissue that binds organs together. This process can cause pain in the area of this misplaced tissue, usually the pelvis, especially during your period. Endometriosis can also cause fertility problems. In fact, scars and adhesions on ovaries or fallopian tubes can prevent pregnancy.
How do birth control pills relieve endometriosis?
They relieve endometriosis by halting ovulation and decreasing the endometrium's monthly cycle of growing, bleeding, and shedding. Birth control pills also affect the cysts, making them shrink and bleed less.
Why are birth control pills used?
They are commonly the first choice for treatment of endometriosis because the hormones found in birth control pills are least likely to cause bad side effects. Therefore they can be used for years, while other hormone therapies can only be used for several months to 2 years.
Birth control pills do not cure endometriosis. However, they can be used to stop or further decrease endometriosis growth after endometriosis surgery. They can also be taken with NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), which help reduce endometriosis inflammation.
Birth control pills are generally not recommended if you:
- Are a smoker and older than 35
- Have uncontrolled diabetes
- Have uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Have liver disease
- Have a history of blood clots in a vein or lung
- Have history of stroke
- Have history of breast cancer
- Have a history of migraine headaches with aura
BirthControlBuzz is a service company that provides birth control prices, birth control types (prescription required), health administrative services, and birth control statistics predominantly to US patients seeking to purchase pharmaceuticals on-line. For more information, call 1-866-868-8850 or visit http://www.birthcontrolbuzz.com/.
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posted by BirthControlBuzz @ 12:00 PM
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