Archives for August 2010 | Your #1 Source for Birth Control Tips and Advice

August 25, 2010

The Pill is the Most Used Contraceptive

Filed under: birth control methods — Tags: birth control effects, birth control methods, Birth Control Pill, birth control types — Candace @ 1:16 pm

The pill is one of the safest and most effective methods of birth control. At a success rate of nearly 100 percent the pill is the most commonly used contraceptive in the world. The oral contraceptive has always been the most popular contraceptive for females due to its easy and painless use. From an interview of conducted on 7, 3536 women it was discovered that 99 percent of women use at least one type of contraceptive for intercourse. Condoms are the most popularly used form of contraceptive for women having intercourse for the first time. In this interview it was also found that of those females with a male partner, 93 percent of the men used a condom, 82 percent of the women used birth control pills, and 53 percent of couples used the withdrawal method.

The pill works by stopping the hormones that activate ovulation by providing an extra dose of estrogen. This prevents the release of an egg. Not only this, but it also thickens the cervical mucus, making the strenuous trek for sperm even harder. The pill must be taken daily for optimum results.

Because many women forget to take the pill on a daily basis, there have been recently created iPod and iPhone applications that help by providing a daily reminder in the form of an alarm. As well as this you can also try using an online calendar, a alarm set on your phone, a note on your desk, or other simple reminders to take the pill.

The pill has been the most commonly used form of contraceptive for 2 years now and will hopefully be continually used in the future despite new, more complex methods being discovered in the medical world.

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August 23, 2010

Healing Herpes With Honey

Filed under: herpes — Tags: acne, Acyclovir, cold sores, herpes, honey, itching, side effects — Candace @ 2:14 pm

Herpes welts are unsightly and normally agonizing but there are available medications (Acyclovir) used to treat herpes. It was recently discovered that honey is a better treatment with less side effects and a faster healing time.

Honey is one of the best natural wound fighters, and does everything from taking the itch out of a stinging nettle rash, to healing a sore throat, to reducing allergy symptoms! Honey is also used to disinfect wounds and speeds up the healing process.

A recently published study showed that 16 patients who had reoccurring herpes used Acyclovir cream for one patch of sores, and honey for another affected area. They applied Acyclovir (and left it on) 6 times daily, and honey four times daily. The honey was applied by gauze soaked in honey, pressed onto the sores for 15 minutes. With honey, herpes sores on the lips (cold sores) had a 43 percent better healing time than acyclovir. Genital herpes sores had a 59 percent better healing time than acyclovir. When using acyclovir there were reported side effects of itching sensation where applied, but when using honey there were no reported side effects.

If you experience reoccurring herpes you can prevent them rather than treat them as they come. If you remove sugar and reduce carbs from your diet you can reduce, or even stop herpes outbreaks. The stimulant of herpes is called L-arginine. Foods that reproduce when you plant them carry high levels of L-arginine: nuts, beans, grains, and seeds. Reducing these foods in your diet (not eliminating them, as a slight amount is beneficial) can prevent recurrent herpes.

Do not use processed honey (the kind you find in grocery stores) on herpes. This can increase your infection! To treat herpes you can use Maunka honey, or raw honey. As well it has been found beneficial to use Vitamin C, Aloe Vera, and Garlic to treat herpes sores.

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Microbicide Gel Reduces Risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Women

Filed under: sexually transmitted diseases,STI,unprotected sex — Tags: AIDS, aids prevention, HIV, HIV infection, HIV prevention, microbicide, STD, STI — Nicole @ 2:14 pm

HIV prevention, AIDs prevention, HIV infection Microbicides are intended to serve as a preventative option for sexually transmitted infections for women who are unable to reason their partners to the use of condoms or mutual monogamy. Researchers are working with manufacturers to develop microbicides in the form of suppositories, gels, films, creams or as sponges or rings that release active preventative ingredients over time in the same way as certain birth control products, which allows for a preventative option that can be controlled by a woman, independent of her partner. Though this product is still in the developing stages and not yet ready for public use, the idea of a microbicide has tremendous potential, as researchers forecast that microbicides are to be the greatest innovation in reproductive health since the Pill.

The results of a recent study conducted by the Centre for the Aids Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA) have made a breakthrough for AIDs and HIV research, in a vaginal microbicide that was shown to reduce the risk of HIV infection by thirty-nine percent. This vaginal microbicide was distributed in the form of a gel containing tenofovir to several South African women, while several other South African received a placebo gel. The study was conducted from a minimum of one year to a maximum of two years, and concluded that the use of this gel not only reduced HIV infections during sex by thirty nine percent, it additionally reduced the occurrence of herpes infections by fifty-one percent.

These positive study results mark a new era in HIV and AIDs prevention, especially for women in difficult circumstances who do not have the social or economic power to invest in other preventative options. As researchers continue to explore the options surrounding microbicides, including a microbicide that prevents pregnancy as well as protecting against HIV infection, North American consumers can expect to see microbicides on the market any time from five to seven years from now.

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Women using Birth Control Pills have Increased Brain Function

Filed under: birth control,birth control benefits,Birth Control Pill,birth control pills,birth control statistics,birth control types,contraceptive,the pill — Tags: Birth Control Pill, brain, contraceptives, estrogen, hormonal contraceptive, memory, progesterone — Amanda @ 2:14 pm

A recent study from Salzburg University in Austria has concluded that contraceptive pills can increase the areas of the brain associated with memory and social skills.

The research showed that contraceptives enhance the brain’s conversation area which leads to improved social skills. Gray matter area essential for memory also grows in size by about 3% with oral contraceptive use.

Scientists took images of the brains of 14 men and 28 women (some of which were using the pill). The women who were not using birth control pills were scanned several times over a one month period to tract their natural hormonal fluctuations. Areas of the brain in women taking the pill were larger than the brains of the women who were not. The growth in women only occurred in regions of the brain that were naturally larger than men to begin with – such as the areas involved in conversation. The pill had little effect on the areas of women’s brains that are more dominant in men, such as special skills and map reading.

The results were the same regardless of the type of birth control used or the length of time it had been prescribed for.

Studies have previously been conducted on the differences in brain structure between men and women, however this is the first time a study has looked at the impact of hormonal contraceptives on the brain.

It was concluded that the sex hormones in the pill have a significant effect on the brain. An increase in the volume of a brain area can actually improve the functions related to that area. The changes are more likely to affect the skills (such as memory and verbal skills) that are already more developed in women compared to men.

It is possible that the estrogen and progesterone in the pill can help strengthen the links between nerve cells in the brain. The brains size overall did not increase with the use of hormonal contraceptives, and it is not known whether the increased areas will return back to their original size if a woman stops using the pill.

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August 17, 2010

FDA Approves of New Emergency Contraceptive Pill

Filed under: abortion,birth control,birth control methods,birth control options,birth control types,EC,emergency contraception,morning after pill — Tags: birth control, birth control types, contraceptive, EC, ella, EllaOne, emergency contraception, hormones, morning after pill, plan b — Amanda @ 10:04 am

The U.S Food and Drug Administration have approved of ella, a new one-dose emergency contraceptive that works longer than the current leading drug on the market. In June this year, the FDA unanimously voted that the use of ella provided convincing data and sufficient information on its safety. ella was approved last year in Europe under the name ellaOne and is currently used in 22 countries.

The FDA approved ella as a prescription-only birth control option. This ruling allows for U.S sales of the drug. Ella from HRA Pharma is to be marketed as an emergency contraceptive that can be taken within 5 days of unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. The current emergency contraceptive drug ‘Plan B’ is approved for use up to 3 days after unprotected intercourse.

In a trial between Plan B and ella, women randomly received one of the two pills within three to five days of having unprotected sex. Women who took ella had a 1.8 percent chance of becoming pregnant. Women who took plan B had a 2.6 percent chance.

Consequently, Plan B is currently available without a prescription for those 17 and older where as ella will require a doctor’s prescription. HRA Pharma did not request an over-the-counter position for ella.

There is some concern about women becoming confused by the use of ella. Although ella prevents ovulation for as long as 5 days after sex, some women may believe that once taking ella, it can protect them against pregnancy from any additional acts of unprotected sex for 5 days. This is not true as sperm from additional sex can outlive the initial sperm past the 5 day window. In addition, the FDA is concerned about the obesity rates in the US and ella’s effect on overweight and obese women. Ella seems to be less effective in obese women.

Ella works differently than Plan B. Though both emergency contraceptives contain hormones that prevent ovulation, ella also contains ulipristal, a non-hormonal drug that blocks the effects of hormones necessary for conception. Ella belongs to the same class as a drug called mifepristone – a drug that is used as a part of a treatment that induces abortion. This calls for criticism from pro-life groups who believe that ella is closer to an abortion pill than an emergency contraceptive pill. However, ella is used at lower doses that prevent conception and should not cause abortion. It is still unknown whether or not ella will affect an existing pregnancy, or if ella might increase the rate of spontaneous miscarriage in the few women who become pregnant despite using ella.

The FDA reviewers reported no life-threatening medical side effects with ella. The most common side effects were mild and included headache, nausea, and abdominal pain.

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August 12, 2010

No Risk of Cancer from Birth Control

Filed under: birth control pills — Tags: birth control pills, breast cancer, cancer, cancer risk, ovarian cancer, unwanted pregnancy — Tanveen @ 9:30 am

Birth control pills are one of the most popular and effective means of preventing unwanted pregnancies in the United States. They have been used for many years and have proved to be quite effective. However, in recent years some women have not been using birth control pills in fear that they will have an increased risk of cancer.

This is not true. In fact, using birth control pills can actually lower the risk of ovarian cancer by 50%. Also, breast cancer which birth control pills were linked to most strongly is also no longer considered a threat. It was found that the studies that declared birth control pills to be a factor in increasing cancer risk were in fact conducted in the ‘80s and have now been proven to be incorrect.

In addition to preventing unwanted pregnancies and reducing the risk of ovarian cancer, birth control pills have many other benefits. These include: regulating periods, clearing acne, preventing anemia, and preventing osteoporosis.

There are other studies that show birth control pills may still be responsible for a slight chance of cancer risk. This however does not seem to be proven. Overall, the advantages of taking birth control greatly outweigh the disadvantages.

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Post-Sex Bleeding

Filed under: sex education — Tags: bleeding after intercourse, bleeding after sex, cervical cancer, Cervical Ectropion, Chlamydia, heavy bleeding, intercourse, post-sex bleeding, sexual intercourse, STI's, Uterus cancer — Candace @ 9:30 am

Making love should be a pleasant experience, and definitely not have crime scene after effects. Vaginal bleeding after sex can ruin a good night and a set of sheets. Bleeding during or after sex is not normal and should be checked by a health care professional. There are conditions that can stimulate this type of reaction during sex.

Dysplasia and Cervical Cancer – Cervical cancer can cause vaginal bleeding after intercourse. Precancers and early cancers normally do not bleed. Women over 30 should undergo a Pap smear. If financially a Pap smear is a problem you can find lower prices at some Planned Parenthood clinics. Because cervical cancer is caused by HPV it is also recommended you have an HPV testing as well.

Cancer of the Uterus – Women over the age of 35 should be checked for cancer of the uterus. An endometrial biopsy takes a sample of cells from the uterus’s lining. The procedure is simple and can be done in a doctor’s office. Overweight women have more of a risk of cancer of the uterus. This is due to the fact that fat tissue makes estrogen, which is crucial in cancer of the uterus. Women under 35 may need an endometrial biopsy if they are obese.

STI’s – Chlamydia and gonorrhea are caused by the passing of bacteria during intercourse. STI’s can attack the cervical cells and cause bleeding, discharge, pain, burning, and itching. STI’s should be treated immediately or they can worsen and eventually lead to infertility.

Cervical Ectropion – This condition is harmless and the most common cause of post-sex bleeding. This condition causes the cells normally being produced in the cervix to be made outside the cervix. When the cells are outside the cervix they are more easily irritated and inflamed and can bleed when touched. This condition can be found in a Pap smear. This condition may be caused by high levels of estrogen. If you experience post-sex bleeding after switching birth control pills you may need to change the type of pill to one with a lower dosage of estrogen or a device that doesn’t use estrogen (Mirena).

The bleeding is easy to differentiate from period blood. It is a more vibrant red and the bleeding is heavier. The bleeding will be heavy at first but slow to spotting and normally the spotting continues for a few days. Anytime you experience vaginal bleeding post-sex, see a doctor before engaging in sexual intercourse again.

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August 9, 2010

Condoms Use Is Up, but Effectiveness Is Down

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: abortion, birth control, birth control methods, condoms, oral contraceptives, premarital sex, the pill — Candace @ 9:40 am

The myth that a girl won’t get pregnant the first time that she has sex has been broken. Virgins are very commonly using condoms the first time they have sex. The use of condoms has risen significantly, especially in premarital sex and first-time couples. This is significant because 94% of women ages 15 to 44 have had premarital sex. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the use of condoms has increased from 55 percent to 88 percent in less than 20 years.

This dramatic change is great news to hear, but there is a downside. Condoms still aren’t providing 100 percent protection. 50 percent of pregnancies in the USA are unintentional. It is encouraging to hear that other methods, such as the pill and other contraceptive methods are being used more often. The pill is used by 10.7 million people, and sterilization is used by 10.3 million.

Oral contraceptives fail most commonly because the contraceptive users use the pills inconstantly or otherwise incorrectly. Thankfully we have accomplished the current popularity of the birth control pill contraceptive, now all we have to do is ensure that the pills are taken properly, and consistently.

There are now IPhone and IPod applications available which provide a daily ‘pill reminder’ with a settable alarm.
As well you can set a daily alarm on your phone or make a note on your calendar.
There are some online calendars you can set to send an SMS text to your phone each day with a reminder.
Make sure to keep your medication in view.
Ask a close friend or relative to remind you

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August 3, 2010

Hormonal Contraceptives are Less Effective in Overweight/Obese Women

Filed under: birth control options,birth control patch,birth control pills,birth control types,pregnancy prevention — Tags: Birth Control Pill, BMI, contraceptive, hormones, obesity, pregnancy, vaginal ring — Amanda @ 4:20 pm

A systematic review of results reported online has concluded that hormonal contraceptives (such as skin patches, vaginal rings, implants, pills, and injections) may not be as effective in overweight and obese women.

With obesity rates increasing worldwide every year, it is important that these findings be shared with the public.

The results from seven studies on 39,531 women on the success of hormonal contraceptives were examined and the results were varied among the different methods of birth control. Some methods such as the birth control pill and the patch were less effective at preventing pregnancy in the obese and overweight women who used a hormonal contraceptive.

Body mass index, or BMI, played a large role in the effectiveness of the birth control pill. Women with a BMI higher than 25 (classified as overweight), were more likely to get pregnant while using the pill than women with a BMI under 25.

Body weight, on the other hand, was the factor among women using the skin patch, vaginal ring, implant, or injection. The body weight due to fat on the body determined the pregnancy risk among women using contraception. Overweight and obese women using the skin patch, progestin implant, and vaginal ring were more likely to get pregnant than women of normal weight using these forms of contraception. Curiously enough, the effectiveness of the hormonal injection was not affected by BMI or body weight. One possible reason for the decreased effectiveness of the skin patch is simply that there is a higher density of fat cells in areas where the patch is to be placed. The fat cells in the way of the blood stream can absorb and store the hormones preventing them from reaching the blood stream.

The exact reason why overweight and obese women are at a greater risk of pregnancy while using hormonal contraceptives is unknown. Although several theories imply that it has something to do with specific biological factors.

Liver Enzymes – overweight women can experience an increased regulation of liver metabolism. These higher levels of enzymes can help break down the hormones in oral contraceptives. Heavier women have a greater circulating blood volume and body mass therefore there is more tissue for blood to circulate though. The chance that enzymes will break down the hormones in contraception is faster therefore the levels of circulating hormones can be decreased.

Hormone Storage – Hormones like estrogen and progestin that are found in birth control are stored in body fat. The more fat cells on a woman, the greater her chances of the hormones becoming stored in her fat rather than flowing into her bloodstream.

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