Study shows birth control pills may have long term effects.
A study published this month in the Journal of Sexual Medicine - http://jsm.issir.org/ - claims that women who use birth control pills may suffer from long term side effects. Possible side effects include decreased desire and arousal, decreased lubrication, and increased sex-related pain.
Researchers studied a group of 124 women, all of whom had previously suffered from some degree of sexual dysfunction. 69 of the women continued using the pill, 39 were discontinued users, and 23 had never used it.
The research team analysed blood samples taken from women who had discontinued use of the pill six months earlier, and found that they had significantly less available testosterone. This would make them more prone to suffer from side effects such as decreased sexual desire and less frequent arousal.
**Increased globulin levels means less testosterone**According to study leader Dr. Claudia Panzer of Boston University, the women who were currently taking the pill had as much as four times the level of testosterone-binding globulin in their blood as those not taking the pill. This is what reduces the amount of testosterone the body has at its disposal.
But the study found that after six months of not taking the pill, globulin levels were still roughly twice as high in those who had taken the pill, compared to those who had not. And eleven women who were tested after more than 11 months still reported having almost twice the globulin level as the group that had not taken the pill.
These observations were surprising, the authors said, "as the effect of oral contraceptives on sex hormone-binding globulin levels should have subsided." The findings are even more interesting, the study noted, because these women also received transdermal testosterone therapy, which should have decreased sex hormone-binding globulin levels.
All patients were offered a transdermal testosterone gel to improve their sexual function, but even with this therapy, globulin levels were much higher than in those who had not taken the pill.
The report noted that earlier research has shown that increases in sex hormone-binding globulin levels from using birth control pills result in a 40% to 60% decrease in free testosterone levels.
**Long term impact**The researchers speculated that the synthetic estrogens in oral contraceptives may trigger more permanent changes in the way the genes function, leading to much longer lasting reductions in the amounts of testosterone available to the body.
So a therapy meant to enhance sexual experience may actually make it less enjoyable for many women.
The researchers were unwilling to draw hard and fast conclusions, saying only that more research is needed. The most important question left hanging is "whether sex hormone-binding globulin changes induced by oral contraceptives may or may not be completely reversible after discontinuation of oral contraceptive use and whether this leads to long-term sexual, metabolic, and mental health changes in women."
At a bare minimum, doctors should make women more aware of these possible side effects, and they should be more diligent about watching for them. They should also be less eager to opt for the easy answer, and be more open to less invasive methods of birth control such as condoms.
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 on types of birth control call 1-866-868-8850 or visit http://www.birthcontrolbuzz.com/.
About the Author: Rick Hendershot publishes Linknet News | Visit the #1 UK Condom shop on the internet | Large selection of Durex Condoms. Read more articles by: Rick Hendershot Article Source: www.iSnare.com
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Tuesday, May 22, 2007
The Signs And Symptoms Of Preterm Labor
Full term pregnancy is 37 weeks. If you go into labor before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy, this is preterm or premature labor and too early for your baby to be born. Preterm or premature babies have a higher risk for lifelong or life-threatening health problems.
There are medications that can delay or stop preterm labor. In many cases these medications can delay the birth long enough to get mom to a hospital with a neonatal intensive care unit. If the baby still comes too early, there are also medications that can improve the baby's health.
Symptoms of premature labor include:
- Contractions (abdomen tightening like a fist) every 10 minutes or more often
- Change in vaginal discharge (losing fluid or bleeding from the vagina)
- Pelvic pressure (a feeling like your baby is pushing down)
- Low, dull backache
- Cramps that feel like your monthly period
- Abdominal cramps with or without diarrhea
If you experience any "one" of the above symptoms you need to call your health care provider or go to the nearest hospital and/or emergency care unit right away.
Any pregnant woman can experience preterm labor and delivery. There are some women at higher risk for preterm labor. Researchers continue to study preterm labor and birth; they have identified some risk factors that include:
- Women who have had a previous preterm birth
- Women who are pregnant with twins, triplets or more
- Women with certain uterine or cervical abnormalities
Even if you are one in the above categories of high risk for a preterm birth, researchers still cannot predict which women will give birth too early. If you have a risk factor it does not mean you will be a woman to give birth too early. It just means you might be more likely to have problems of preterm labor or birth more so than other women.
Also if you are a woman in one of the high risk categories it is especially important for you to know the signs and symptoms of preterm labor and what to do.
Certain lifestyle factors may put a woman at greater risk of preterm labor. Lifestyle factors include:
- Late or no prenatal care
- Smoking
- Drinking alcohol
- Using illegal drugs
- Exposure to the medication DES
- Domestic violence (physical, sexual or emotional abuse)
- Lack of social support
- Stress
- Long working hours with long periods of standing
The medical conditions during pregnancy that may increase the chances of a woman delivering too early include:
- Urinary tract infections
- Vaginal infections
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Possibly other infections
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Clotting disorders (thrombbophilia)
- Bleeding from the vagina
- Certain birth defects in the baby
- Being pregnant with a single fetus after in vitro fertilization (IVF)
- Being underweight before pregnancy
- Obesity
- Short time period between pregnancies (less than 6-9 months between birth and the beginning of the next pregnancy)
Other high risk categories researchers have identified include:
- Women younger than 17 or older than 35
- Poor women are at a greater risk than other women
Keep in mind that even if you have one of these risk factors, it does not mean for certain you will deliver your baby or babies early. This only means these are the risk factors identified by experts who study pregnancy and preterm labor. On the other hand, it is also possible for a woman to deliver early who is "not" in one of these high risk categories. Either way it is important to know:
- The signs and symptoms of preterm labor when you confirm a pregnancy
- Know what to do if you have any of the signs and symptoms of preterm labor
- Take very good care of yourself and your baby while you are pregnant to help ensure a full term delivery
Source: March of Dimes Association
Disclaimer: *This article is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any kind of a health problem. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Always consult with your health care provider about any kind of a health problem and especially before beginning any kind of an exercise routine.
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 on types of birth control call 1-866-868-8850 or visit http://www.birthcontrolbuzz.com/.
About the Author: Connie Limon, Trilogy Field Representative. Visit http://nutritionandhealthhub.com and sign up for a weekly nutrition and health tip. The article collection is available as FREE reprints for your newsletters, websites or blog. Visit http://www.healthylife27.com to purchase an array of superior quality, safe and effective products inspired by nature, informed by science and created to improve the health of people, pets and the planet.
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Tuesday, May 15, 2007
What antibiotics affect birth control pills?
Although the degrees to which antibiotics may affect hormonal birth control vary, there are certain antibiotics which doctors say can cause decreased effectiveness. Antibiotics that are listed as interfering include:
- Rifampin
- Penicillin
- Amoxicillin
- Sulfonamide
- Ampicillin
- Cotrimoxazole
- Tetracycline
- Griseofulvin
- Minocycline
- Phenobarbitol
- Metronidazole
- Nitrofurantoin
If you are taking any of these antibiotics while using birth control pills your doctor should recommend that you use a back-up method of birth control (ie. condom). Despite the fact there is little evidence supporting a massive increase in pregnancies with antibiotic use, it is better to be safe than sorry. Use the back-up method during the run of your antibiotic and continue for one week afterwards.
Speak with your doctor if you have any concerns or questions about antibiotics and the effectiveness of your birth control.
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 on types of birth control call 1-866-868-8850 or visit http://www.birthcontrolbuzz.com/.
Labels: antibiotics, birth control pills
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Wednesday, May 09, 2007
What is vaginitis?
Vaginitis occurs when your vagina is irritated or inflammed and is commonly caused by an infection. The three most common vaginal infections are bacterial vaginosis, candida vaginitis (yeast infection) and trichomonas vaginitis.
Signs and symptoms of vaginitis
When you have vaginitis you may experience some or all of these symptoms:
- abnormal or increased discharge
- itching
- fishy odor
- irritation
- painful urination or vaginal bleeding
Causes of vaginitis
Vaginitis may result from bacterial infections, fungal infection, protozoan infection, contact dermatitis or even an allergic reaction. The only type of vaginitis that is sexually transmitted is trichomonas.
Bacterial - infection is caused when healthy vaginal organisms are replaced by harmful bacteria. It is referred to as bacterial vaginosis and is the most common type of vaginitis.
Yeast - infection is called candidiasis. It is caused by a fungus and is the second most common type of vaginitis.
Protozoan - infection is called trichomoniasis and it is considered a sexually transmitted disease (STD). It is the least common and comprises 3% - 5% percent of all vaginitis infections.
Complications associated with vaginitis
If you don't treat bacterial vaginosis there can be an increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, pre-term birth, premature rupture of membranes, low birth weight, intra-amniotic infections, endometritis, cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN), post-gynecological surgery infections and increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases.
Testing for an infection
Thankfully the tests administered for vaginitis are easy. After examining your vagina your doctor will use a swab to get a sample of the discharge which will help identify whether or not you have an infection. Vaginitis is found by checking vaginal fluid appearance, vaginal pH, the presence of volatile amines (the odor causing gas) and the microscopic detection of clue cells.
Treatment
Treatment will depend on the cause of the infection: bacterial vaginosis can be treated orally (by mouth) or intra-vaginally (inside vagina) with a prescription for medication; a yeast infection can be treated orally or intra-vaginally with either prescription or over-the-counter antifungal medications; and a trichomonas infection is usually treated with an oral antibiotic prescription.
Prevention
- Start with good hygeine. Wash area with a mild soap (perfumed products may cause irritation) and dry well.
- Douching and feminine hygiene sprays can disrupt the normal balance of vaginal organisms. Try to avoid them.
- Wipe front to back after going to the bathroom to avoid spreading bacteria.
- Avoid tight jeans, panty hose without a cotton crotch and other clothing that can trap moisture.
- Always practice safe sex. Use latex condoms, they can reduce the risk of spreading sexually transmitted diseases.
- Try to relax. Stress can be a contributing factor for vaginitis.
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 on types of birth control call 1-866-868-8850 or visit http://www.birthcontrolbuzz.com/.
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Saturday, May 05, 2007
Menopause Symptoms: Different For Every Woman
Menopause - common to all women - is the time of life when the menstrual cycle ceases permanently. As adolescent girls, we are met at puberty with the beginning of menstruation which allows us - if we so choose - to reproduce. Our menstrual cycle occurs every month during our reproductive years until the onset of menopause - which generally takes place somewhere between a woman's mid-forties and mid-fifties. While menopause produces the same end results, the menopause symptoms that each woman experiences may be different.
During menopause, the ovaries that had been producing eggs every month - for possible reproduction - begin to slow their production until they eventually stop altogether. In addition, the production of estrogen diminishes until it also completely stops. The elimination of estrogen is largely responsible for most menopause symptoms.
Menopause symptoms may include hot flashes - wherein women frequently experience suddenly feeling extremely hot; night sweats; memory loss; weight gain; loss of sexual desire and vaginal dryness; and emotional changes such as distractibility, irritation, melancholy, and mood swings similar to premenstrual syndrome. It is sometimes overlooked that menopause brings with it a bevy of emotional challenges. It can be difficult for many women to cope with the end of their reproductive life. But there is a large community of women who are experiencing the same thing and it is important for women to reach out to each other for support.
Not every woman will experience every one of the menopause symptoms possible. And when they do experience a symptom, the severity of it varies from woman to woman. In many cases, women will find that the way in which they experience menopause symptoms depends largely on the lifestyle that they lead. In fact, a healthy lifestyle often minimizes menopause symptoms. This includes the eating of natural, whole foods, consistent exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management.
Some women may find that adopting such lifestyle changes helps them to manage menopause symptoms. However, other women may find that menopause symptoms are still particularly difficult to handle. Luckily, there are a variety of treatment therapies available today to help women cope with their struggle.
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 on types of birth control call 1-866-868-8850 or visit http://www.birthcontrolbuzz.com/.
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