Archives for July 2009 | Your #1 Source for Birth Control Tips and Advice

July 30, 2009

What are Birth Control Injections?

Filed under: birth control,birth control methods,Depo Provera,diabetes,injection,migraines,Uncategorized — Amanda @ 9:55 am

For those who have a hard time remembering the pill or cannot use oral contraceptives, there is an efficient alternative. Injections of a medicine called “Depo-Provera” contain the female hormone progesterone that prevents pregnancy.

This injection is to be given once every three months for a total of four times a year by a healthcare professional. Some of the benefits to this birth control method are that Depo-Provera does not cause any estrogen related side effects, and there is no need to remember it day-to-day, but only to remember to have the injection every 3 months. In addition, Depo-Provera reduces risks of ovarian and endometrial cancer and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.

Unlike most other methods, Depo-Provera may be used by women who have sickle cell disease, high blood pressure, severe migraines, blood clots, diabetes, women older than 35, women who are smokers, as well as women who are on medication that could interfere with birth control pills.

Some women on Depo-Provera have unpredictable periods with either decreased or increased flow, and some women do not have menstrual bleeding at all. Other potential side effects are headaches, alteration in mood, and decreased bone density (a side effect of most forms of birth control)

If you are interested in Depo-Provera, visit your healthcare professional to see if it’s right for you.

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July 27, 2009

Benefits of Taking the Pill

Filed under: Birth Control Pill,Cramps,endometrial cancer,estrogen,Menstrual Cramps,menstrual periods,ovarian cancer,ovarian cysts,pelvic inflammatory disease,periods,pms,Uncategorized — Amanda @ 11:43 am

There are more benefits to Birth Control Pill use than you may think. The pill can provide medicinal benefits besides acting as a contraceptive and improve various issues you may be dealing with. There are many girls who take the pill just for its health benefits!

Clear Skin

Birth control pills improve acne in many women. Women with moderate or severe acne that cannot be cured by over the counter medicine usually turn to the pill to solve the problem. The hormones in the pill prevent acne from forming after several months of use.

Regular Periods

The pill will help regulate menstrual periods in women who experience periods that come too soon or too late. Birth control pills can also regulate the amount of bleeding and the length of menstrual bleeding. Many women notice that after taking the pill for 3 months, their bleeding period is lighter and only three or four days long.

No More Menstrual Cramps

The pill will help relieve most forms of cramps including severe menstrual cramps. Those who are not relieved by over the counter medicine like Midol usually take the pill to relieve the pain. Birth control pills prevent ovulation, so they can also help with any pains that come in the middle of the month.

Protection against Cancer and Ailment

Birth control pills prevent Anemia in women because they have less bleeding during periods. Chances of developing Ovarian Cysts, breast lumps, and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease are lower in women on the pill. Women who use the pill also have a lower risk of getting Endometrial (lining of the uterus) Cancer, and Ovarian Cancer later in life.

Increased Breast Size

Although the pill does not cause weight gain, it may increase breast size. Estrogen is a natural female hormone which is responsible for changes during puberty. The estrogen in birth control pills has the ability to stimulate breast growth- especially in women who are still developing.

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July 23, 2009

North American Women are Afraid of IUD’s

Filed under: birth control methods,birth control pills,birth control types,contraception,contraceptive,Dalkon Shield,IUD,Mirena,Uncategorized — Amanda @ 11:32 am

The Intrauterine Device (IUD) is the world most popular form of reversible birth control. There are more than 160 million women in the world who use this device – more than two thirds of which live in China.

The IUD is a reversible option to birth control, it does not require daily consumption (birth control pills), it is a safe effective alternative to birth control pills (based on its doses of hormones), and a single device inserted into the uterine can stay active for up to 10 years. The simplicity and the benefits of this device are overwhelming!

So why it is that less than 4% of all North American women use this birth control method?

Perhaps it was the Dalkon Shield scare in the 1970′s that has forever tainted the reputation of IUDs. “Dalkon Shield” was an IUD that was ultimately pulled out of the Canadian market due to it’s negative effects on consumers. There were many cases of infections, infertility, miscarriages, and death amongst its users.
Since then safe alternative IUD models have been develop and have prospered in popularity throughout the world. In China, more than 90 million women are rushing to get their hands on IUD contraceptives.

The United Nations department of economic and social affairs reported that only 2.9% of Canadian women and 1.8% of American women use IUD’s for contraception. Compared to the 19.6% in Asia, and 13.9% in the Caribbean, North American use of the IUD is surprisingly scarce.

An IUD is inserted and removed by a doctor quickly and easily, and can last up to 10 years depending on the model and desire for use. IUD’s prevent implantation of an egg by changing the lining of the uterus so that an egg cannot properly attach. IUD’s have other benefits as the also act as treatment to reduce acne and facial hair. It is expected that the popularity of the device will increase in North America as women grow more comfortable with the method and its benefits. The Dalkon Shield scare is now in the past.

Some popular brands of IUD are Mirena and ParaGard

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July 20, 2009

Indias New Birth Control Method

Filed under: birth control,birth control methods,india,overpopulation,population,population growth,Uncategorized — Amanda @ 11:48 am

According to a story in the London Times, the Health and family welfare minister of India Ghulam Nabi Azad has introduced a new idea to control the population in India’s rural areas. In a country with a population of more than 1.17 billion, whose population growth is increasing by 1.6% each year, India will inevitably face problems such as famine, lack or resources, and disease if it’s population is not controlled within the next 40 years.

Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has suggested a new birth control idea to control the population of rural areas of India – the highest contributors to the population. He suggested that the country try its efforts in bringing electricity into underprivileged rural areas and providing families in poverty with television sets in hopes to distract couples from getting busy with addicting soap operas and reality TV shows, because of course television is capable of distracting thousands of couples from doing what is naturally and genetically programmed into their DNA. A late night talk show will curb any innate instincts that couples will have.

“If there is electricity in every village, then people will watch TV until late night and then fall asleep. They won’t get a chance to produce children,” Azad stated. “When there is no electricity, there is nothing else to do but produce babies.” “I don’t think that I am saying this in a lighter vein. I am serious. TV will have a great impact. It’s a great medium to tackle the problem… 80% of population growth can be reduced through TV.”

Although this theory is possible – the question is for how long will this method of birth control take effect? Perhaps for the first 6 months this idea will prove as a success as it will hold the interests of its users. But when it comes down to it how many re-runs of television sitcoms can the poor people of India bear to watch?

The Times wrote “the Minister called on India’s television channels to provide high-quality programs, arguing that enticing content would offer alternative late night entertainment.”

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July 2, 2009

Top 7 Failed Attempts at Birth Control

Filed under: birth control,birth control methods,birth control myths,Birth Control Pill,condoms,douching,Uncategorized — Amanda @ 11:13 am

The birth control we use today such as birth control pills and condoms did not just come to be as they are today. In fact, there were many ridiculous failed attempts at birth control before they came up with something decent. These contraceptive prototypes may seem moronic now, but at one point people actually believed they worked.

7. Hot Mercury

In ancient China, women drank hot mercury the day after sex in order to prevent pregnancy. Mercury – The poisonous element inside thermometers that is deadly and can cause immediate toxic effects and can destroy all of the human body systems if it gets into the blood stream. Bad idea. You’d be better off committing suicide.

6. Sea Sponge

In Ancient Persia, women used sea sponges soaked in vinegar or alcohol and inserted them into the vagina to inhibit sperm from entering the uterus. This is a horrible method because not only does it require the extraction of a helpful ecological sea-organism from its environment, but it can cause some serious damage to vaginal walls when soaked in a substance like alcohol or vinegar. In addition, a sea sponge will act as a filter, so it’s probably not a good idea to rely on it for contraception.

5. Rocks?

This method is just outrageous. In Egypt, they used to insert rocks into the uterus to irritate the uterine walls preventing a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus. (A prototype of todays intrauterine systems) Why is this so outrageous? Because not only does it cause severe irritation to the uterus, but bacteria on the rocks could spread throughout the inside of the uterus causing severe problems and possibly death. Don’t try this at home.

After they realized the serious side effects of the rock method, women tried using apricot seeds in the same way. Needless to say, it was also a failed method.

4. Plugs

No, not hair plugs – vaginal plugs… made of wood. Yes. It is true, there were many women in the 19th century who tried using a plug-shaped stopper made of wood to block sperm from reaching the uterus. It was a tragic fail. There is nothing else to say about this one but nice try – now what do we do about the splinters?

3. Herbs

Many civilizations believed that the right herbs could heal or prevent almost ANYTHING – including pregnancy. Herbs called “emmenagogue” were plants that could stimulate menstruation in females, so they would take these herbs as a form as contraceptive. What they didn’t know is that pregnancy is still possible during menstruation so many of them probably got themselves pregnant with this attempted method.

Although those methods are idiotic and irrational, and we all know that no one would ever try them in modern times, there are still some modern failed birth control attempts out there that couples are trying, only to find themselves with a baby 9 months later.

2. Flushing

There are couples out there who are using things like Lysol and carbonated drinks after sex to “flush out” and kill the sperm in the vagina. There are several reasons why this is a fail. Even if you flush out the sperm in the vagina, it does not affect the sperm that was ejaculated immediately into the uterus through the cervix. Those guys are long gone and out of reach. In addition, putting any acidic or sugary foreign substance in the vagina is a bad idea. The skin and flesh there is very sensitive and will most likely result in infection, irritation, or a yeast infection.

1. Homemade condom

Yes – it is exactly what it sounds like. This is by far the stupidest idea ever thought of. I can’t even process this idea without asking myself “why would anyone in their right mind do such a thing??”. There are many couples out there who are making their own condoms with plastic materials like plastic bags, saran wrap, or used chip bags. Not only are these materials prone to break with enough force, but using them as a condom is unsanitary and uncivilized. Bacteria can spread from these items to the vagina causing discomfort and irritation. They will not hold up during intercourse and probably rip – making them useless as contraception. The chip bag method is the worst idea because of its rough sharp texture that will cut the walls of the vagina causing bleeding. I beg you – please do not do this. The common sense of civilization will quickly diminish if you do.

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