Today Sponge female contraceptive.
The Today Sponge is one of the most studied female over-the-counter types of birth control in the world. The effectiveness rate of the Sponge is 89% to 91% when used correctly everytime you have intercourse. Correct use means thoroughly wetting the Sponge with tap water before insertion, leaving it in place for six hours after the last act of intercourse, and having it in place every time intercourse occurs. Without correct and consistent use, women can expect a effectiveness rate of 84% to 87%.
Made of a soft, disposable polyurethane foam that feels like natural vaginal tissue, Today Sponge contains spermicide nonoxynol-9. Once inseted into the vagina, the Sponge becomes effective immediately and prevents pregnancy for 24 hours without the need to add spermicidal cream or jelly — even with repeated acts of intercourse.
How does the Today Sponge work?
- Spermicidal Delivery Today Sponge acts primarily as a reserve for 1,000 mg of nonoxynol-9, a highly effective spermicidal agent that is continuously released into the vagina in small amounts through a 24-hour time period.
- Absorption The polyurethane foam from which the Sponge is made traps and absorbs semen before sperm have a chance to enter the cervix.
- Blocking Today Sponge acts as a barrier between sperm and the cervix.
What does the Sponge have to offer me?
- Effectiveness The Sponge has an effectiveness rate of 89% to 91% when used consistently and according to label instructions. In clinical trials including women who did not use Today Sponge consistently and properly, the use-effectiveness was 84% to 87%. Its onset of action is immediate and reversible, offering you effective protection only when you need and want it.
- Sexual Spontaneity After insertion, it is effective for 24 hours without any need for further application of spermicide.
- Nonhormonal Method Today Sponge does not have the side effects associated with systematically administered hormones like birth control pills or Depo - Provera.
- Over-the-counter Convenience You do not need a prescription to acquire the Sponge.
- Comfortable to Use Today Sponge is not typically felt by either partner during intercourse.
How do you use the Today Sponge?
With clean hands, remove Today Sponge from its airtight inner package. Holding the Sponge in one hand with the dimple (concave) side facing upward, and the loop dangling down, wet the sponge thoroughly with clean tap water.
Gently squeeze the Sponge to produce amounts of suds. This activates the spermicide and facilitates insertion. Do not be concerned about producing too much suds. There is more than enough spermicide in Today Sponge to provide effective prevention of pregnancy.
Fold the sudsy Sponge in half - still with the dimple side facing upward - and insert deeply in the vagina, along the back wall to cover the cervix. The dimple should face the cervix, and the loop should face away from the cervix.
Wait at least 6 hours after the last act of intercourse before removing the Sponge. Make sure to relax - if your vaginal muscles are tensed it may be harder to navigate to the Sponge.
Put a finger into the vagina and reach upward to find the string loop. Bear down and push Today Sponge toward to vaginal opening. Hook the finger around the string loop or grasp the Sponge between thumb and forefinger. Slowly and gently withdraw it from the vagina.
If the vaginal muscles seem to be holding Today Sponge tightly, wait a few minutes, then try again. If removal is still difficult, tighten vaginal muscles and hold for ten seconds, then relax and let go. Repeat. While relaxing, breathe out slowly while bearing down and remove Today Sponge.
Can I get an infection from using Today Sponge?
It is unlikely that you will get an infection from the Sponge. However, if you have a preexisting, low-grade infection (meaning you have not noticed any obvious symptoms), any intravaginal product, like a diaphragm or the Today Sponge, could make the symptoms more noticeable.
Any foreign object in the vagina can potentially produce irritation and infection. If the Today Sponge is discolored upon removal this may be an indication of a preexisting vaginal infection, but keep in mind that vaginal secretions can also discolor the Sponge. To decipher whether or not you may have an infection look for these signs: foul odor, itching, soreness, or unusual bleeding. You should check with your doctor, who may want to take a vaginal culture or "wet mount" (a microscopic examination of vaginal discharge). That is the only way to determine if you have an infection. PAP smears show abnormal cell growth, not the presence of bacteria, yeast, or other infectious organisms.
The Today Sponge does not protect against HIV/AIDS or sexually transmitted diseases. Always practice safe sex by using a protective barrier like a condom.
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 birth control on-line.
For more information, call 1-866-868-8850 or visit http://www.birthcontrolbuzz.com/.
Stumble It!
posted by BirthControlBuzz @ 9:32 AM
0 comments |
Post Your Comment |
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
What is the Mirena IUD?
The Mirena IUD is a small object that is inserted through the cervix and placed in the uterus to prevent pregnancy. A small string hangs down from the IUD into the upper part of the vagina. Mirena is not noticeable during intercourse and can last 1-10 years. IUD's affect the movements of eggs and sperm to prevent fertilization and also change the lining of the uterus and prevent implantation. It is 99.2-99.9% effective as other types of birth control. Mirena IUD does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS.
Inserting a Mirena IUD will involve a visit to a healthcare professional. To prevent infection, clinics require women to have check-ups prior to insertion. This can include a full medical, pelvic, and breast exam, with a Pap smear, STI check, and pregnancy test. If anything unusual is found, it is addressed before the IUD is inserted. Upon insertion, Mirena is effective immediately.
How is Mirena IUD inserted?
Mirena is usually inserted during your menstrual period when the cervix is slightly open and pregnancy is least likely to occur. However, it may be inserted at any time. Insertion takes about 5-15 minutes with most women feeling cramps during and after the procedure.
How do I know Mirena is still in place?
Keep track of your IUD by checking its strings. You can feel for the string by putting a finger into your vagina. It is recommended that women check their Mirena IUD after each period. A shorter than normal string can be a warning sign of an imbedded IUD. Missing strings may mean that the IUD was expelled. If the string is missing, call the clinic and use a backup birth control type.
If you miss your period while on using Mirena, you may want to take a pregnancy test. If you have any concerns about your IUD, call the clinic where it was inserted. The longer Mirena remains in place, the less likely it is that the uterus will reject the IUD and expel it.
How do I remove Mirena IUD?
Mirena can be removed at any time and the procedure is quicker and easier than insertion. If it is removed near ovulation, a woman may become pregnant from recent intercourse before IUD removal.
Who should not use Mirena?
Every woman is different, therefore Mirena is not recommended for all women. Due to the risk of serious health problems, women with the following conditions should not use IUDs:
- Recent or repeated pelvic infection
- Known or suspected pregnancy
- Severe cervicitis (inflammation of the uterine cervix)
- Salpingitis (inflammation of a fallopian or eustachian tube)
- Malignant lesions in the genital tract
- Unexplained vaginal bleeding
- HIV/AIDS
- History of ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy resulting from gestation elsewhere than in the uterus)
- History of Toxic Shock Syndrome
- Physical inability to check IUD
IUDs are not recommended for women who are at risk for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, have lower immune response, abnormal pap smear, heart disease, anemia, a history of severe menstrual cramping and heavy flow, or previous problems with a Mirena IUD.
- Women with a history of breast cancer cannot use the Mirena IUD.
- Women with diabetes should be monitored carefully if they use the Mirena IUD.
- Breastfeeding women should be aware the synthetic hormone in the Mirena IUD will be passed to the baby in her breast milk.
Are there any health risks?
Contracting any vaginal infections while using an IUD can increase the risk of developing a serious pelvic infection. This can result in a loss of fertility. For this reason, women need to assess their own risk for infection. If you have multiple partners or if your partner has multiple partners, your chance of infection is much higher.
The uterine wall may be perforated or pierced during insertion of the Mirena IUD. Over time, an IUD may become embedded in the uterine wall which carries a risk of surgery and/or infertility. An embedded IUD is still effective, but it can be painful and may need to be removed.
If a woman becomes pregnant while using Mirena IUD, it is highly recommended that she have it removed, whether or not she wants to carry the pregnancy to term. An IUD increases the risk of having a miscarriage or premature birth.
A woman who becomes pregnant while using Mirena is more likely to have an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg attaches and grows outside the uterus. This can be very dangerous and requires emergency medical attention.
Are there any side effects?
Mirena IUD can cause longer, heavier, and more painful menstrual periods. The increased blood flow may cause anemia. Spotting may occur without serious cause or as a sign of infection.
The Mirena IUD can cause ovarian cysts. Some women using Mirena stop bleeding altogether. Usually menstrual periods return when it is removed. Mirena can cause weight gain, headaches, increased blood pressure, acne, depression, and decrease in sex drive.
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 birth control on-line.
For more information, call 1-866-868-8850 or visit http://www.birthcontrolbuzz.com/.
Stumble It!
posted by BirthControlBuzz @ 11:17 AM
17 comments |
Post Your Comment |
Friday, January 05, 2007
The benefits of using birth control pills.
Not only can birth control pills effectively prevent pregnancy they also improve or prevent several reproductive health conditions. According to "American Family Physician's" most recent update on oral contraceptives, "The non contraceptive benefits (and favorable side effect profiles) of oral contraceptive pills are so important that some patients use the pills exclusively for those reasons."
The conditions which the American Academy of Family Physicians endorses the use of birth control pills are:
Excessive androgens:
They can contribute to the development of acne, birth control pills reduce the amount of androgen that is available. How this works depends on the specific hormone combination in a particular oral contraceptive. In a 1997 study, 83% of participants who received norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol rated their acne improved after six months. Sales of Ortho Tri-Cyclen have tripled since the results of this study were published.
Benign Breast Cysts:Birth control pills are considered first line treatment for this condition. Seventy to ninety percent of patients see improvement in the symptoms of fibrocystic breast conditions with use of oral contraceptives.
Dysmenorrhea:Women who use birth control pills rarely experience menstrual cramps.
Ectopic Pregnancy:According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) there is controversy about whether birth control pills prevent ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg fails to implant itself in the uterus, most often remaining in the fallopian tubes.
Endometriosis:Progestin only birth control pills are an effective treatment for endometriosis. Unfortunately the side effects of this treatment which includes irregular bleeding, fluid retention, and depression have made this option unbearable for many women.
Functional Ovarian Cysts:These are the most common type of ovarian cyst and usually dissolve within two menstrual cycles without treatment. Birth control pills may help prevent this type of ovarian cyst by helping to regulate the menstrual cycle.
Hirsutism:Polycystic ovarian syndrome is the most common cause of excessive hair growth in women. Oral contraceptives can improve or stabilize up to 50% of cases caused by PCOS.
Metrorrhagia:Women who experience abnormal uterine bleeding can often regulate their menstrual cycle with oral contraceptives, if after close medical investigation the abnormal bleeding is not found to be a symptom of a more serious condition.
Mittelschmerz:Birth control pills block the wave of hormones that occurs before ovulation, and are often effective for relieving mid-cycle or ovulation pain.
Ovarian & Endometrial Cancer:Women who use birth control pills experience these types of cancer at about half the rate of nonusers. However it's important to note that there may be an increased risk of breast cancer and cervical cancer in women who use birth control pills for more than five years.
Premenstrual Syndrome:Many women experience less symptoms of PMS while using birth control pills. However, there are other treatments and lifestyle modifications which may also provide relief and which should be considered.
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 @ 12:09 PM
0 comments |
Post Your Comment |
