Is It Best For You To Get Rid Of Your Period?
Menstrual cycles are annoying and painful for most women. They cause mood swings, cramps, headaches, and are uncomfortable. Taking a birth control pill on a daily basis has halted woman's menstrual cycles in many cases. For women to hear that with a simple pill they can stop their period is glorious! But is this pill safe? Is it as effective as we have been told? There are various pros and cons to be considered.
Pros -
Women don't need a period - The only reason known for a menstrual cycle, is for a woman to get pregnant. A period occurs to rid the body of the uterine lining which has been built up monthly to prepare the egg to be fertilized. When you are on a hormonal birth control pill the lining no longer builds up, thus there is nothing to expel and no reason for a period. A traditional 28 day pack of birth control pills have 7 placebo (sugar, no-hormone) pills. The lack of hormones is what causes the flow.
It is convenient - With monthly menstrual cycles many women undergo severe pain. The symptoms include headaches, cramps, mood swings, and various other painful and undesired feelings. When taking birth control pills and not having a period, there are no symptoms and no pain!
Skipping periods is another reproductive choice for women; the more choices we have, the better.
If you decide to use/continue using birth control pills as a way to stop your period, check with your insurance if they are covered in your plan. You will need a doctor's written approval to prescribe you with BCP's for excessive pain before your insurance will cover the pills.
Cons -
It's not philosophically right - Periods are not diseases. The pill is not an antibiotic. Doctors have prescribed continuous-hormone birth control pills for women who experience extreme pains, mood swings, and discomforts. Getting rid of one's period would be just a matter of convenience. By expelling menstrual cycles it gives the image that women's periods are something to be ashamed of.
Lybrel doesn't work - A new release, the no-bleeding pill, Lybrel, might not work for all women. After a year of using Lybrel, a study showed that 40 percent of women on Lybrel still had spotting, and 20 percent bled enough to need tampons or pads.
May be unsafe - Although most professionals say BCP's are safe for stopping your period, we have yet to know the long term effects of taking hormones nonstop might be.
How will you tell you are pregnant - Skipped periods are the most common way women discover they are pregnant. If you are not expecting your period, how will you know you are pregnant?
We do not know enough about using BCP's to stop periods to consider it completely safe.
Birth Control Buzz is a service company that provides birth control prices, types of birth control(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/.
Labels: birth control methods, birth control options, Menstrual Cramps, menstrual periods, menstural cycle, periods
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Thursday, November 19, 2009
Birth Control Ring: Introduced in India
India's birth control plan is beginning to pick up. With a population of 684 million and counting, all methods of birth control are happily accepted. It New Delhi on November 18th, a US based pharmaceutical company in Oregon launched a birth control ring that apparently has no side effects.
Nuvaring is popular form of birth control in North America and Europe that has recently been introduced in India as an easy method of birth control. Nuvaring is a transparent flexible ring that contains hormones which enter the blood stream daily inhibiting ovulation. The ring is a simple and effective reversible birth control procedure because unlike the pill where you take one everyday, it only requires that you insert the ring once a week for three weeks of the month.
Managing director of Organon K.G Ananthakrishnan says that only 20% of women use contraceptives in India. He suggests that the ring is a good idea because it does not have any side effects and will not obstruct other daily activities.
Birth Control Buzz is a service company that provides birth control prices, types of birth control(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/.
Labels: birth control methods, contraception, india, india birth control, NuvaRing
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Thursday, October 29, 2009
Birth Control: A Timeline
4th Century A.D - Aristotle gave advice on how to prevent pregnancy. He told women to use olive oil, lead ointment, or frankincense oil as a spermicide - Needless to say, his intentions were good but his methods were flawed.
The Greeks claimed that by applying pressure to the uterus by pushing on a woman's abdomen will force sperm out of her vagina. Although it sounds ridiculous, they had to start somewhere.
1400's - the Chastity belt was invented. Today they may be viewed as a cruel violation of human rights, however in the 15th century Chastity belts were a form of teaching abstinence. Chastity belts were created to make it physically impossible for a woman to have sex or masturbate. They were often made of steel, locked shut with a padlock, and only had small openings for excretion. These belts were made in only one size - so larger women were forced to endure the pain of an ill-fitted device.
1700's - 1800's - The first pregnancy preventing condom was used by Giacoma Girolamo Casaova. Funny enough he referred to condoms as "english riding coats". In the 19th century, condoms were made of animal gut and were packaged in paper envelopes. Although the product was somewhat formal (being packaged and all), its role as contraception was not very effective.
1844 - American Charles Goodyear invented the vulcanization of rubber. This was a process that stopped rubber from becoming sticky. Mass production of condoms began shortly after he patented his finding.
1900's - Based on early Egyptian prototypes, in the early 20th Century people were using sponges with strings attached for removal as contraceptive devices. Often these sponges were dipped in vinegar or lemon juice which would act as a spermicide. The method seemed plausible, however it was not necessarily effective or safe. Today, there are safe synthetic sponges which are sterile and coated with chemical spermicide.
1930's - When the Great Depression hit, many couples could not afford to support children. During this time, new methods of birth control were introduced. The douching method was introduced (like Aristotle's olive oil technique) however this time it was advertised as "Lysol Douching". Yes - Lysol surface cleaner was used as a vaginal spermicide for a short time, however when reports started piling in about irritations and vaginal scalding, the method slowly lost popularity. So, a proto-intrauterine device was created. The IUD's in the 1930's consisted or something like a metal rod attached to a circular object such as a button. Needless to say, these early attempts often resulted in irritation and severe uterine infections. Oops.
1950's - The first Birth Control Pill (Envoid) was originally created to promote fertility and reduce menstrual symptoms in women. It was approved by the FDA in 1957 and began gaining popularity, however, around that time there were many complaints by Envoid users about increased menstrual problems. The pill was re-introduced to the FDA four years later as an oral contraceptive. By 1964 the pill was a huge success and became America's number one type of birth control.
1990's - In 1992 Depo-Provera was approved by the FDA. This was the first hormonal injection that was used to prevent pregnancy.
Today - Today, there are many forms of safe and efficient birth control. There are shots, patches, rings, IUD's and Pills available in all different forms that are up to 99% effective.
1400's - the Chastity belt was invented. Today they may be viewed as a cruel violation of human rights, however in the 15th century Chastity belts were a form of teaching abstinence. Chastity belts were created to make it physically impossible for a woman to have sex or masturbate. They were often made of steel, locked shut with a padlock, and only had small openings for excretion. These belts were made in only one size - so larger women were forced to endure the pain of an ill-fitted device.
1700's - 1800's - The first pregnancy preventing condom was used by Giacoma Girolamo Casaova. Funny enough he referred to condoms as "english riding coats". In the 19th century, condoms were made of animal gut and were packaged in paper envelopes. Although the product was somewhat formal (being packaged and all), its role as contraception was not very effective.
1844 - American Charles Goodyear invented the vulcanization of rubber. This was a process that stopped rubber from becoming sticky. Mass production of condoms began shortly after he patented his finding.
1900's - Based on early Egyptian prototypes, in the early 20th Century people were using sponges with strings attached for removal as contraceptive devices. Often these sponges were dipped in vinegar or lemon juice which would act as a spermicide. The method seemed plausible, however it was not necessarily effective or safe. Today, there are safe synthetic sponges which are sterile and coated with chemical spermicide.
1930's - When the Great Depression hit, many couples could not afford to support children. During this time, new methods of birth control were introduced. The douching method was introduced (like Aristotle's olive oil technique) however this time it was advertised as "Lysol Douching". Yes - Lysol surface cleaner was used as a vaginal spermicide for a short time, however when reports started piling in about irritations and vaginal scalding, the method slowly lost popularity. So, a proto-intrauterine device was created. The IUD's in the 1930's consisted or something like a metal rod attached to a circular object such as a button. Needless to say, these early attempts often resulted in irritation and severe uterine infections. Oops.
1950's - The first Birth Control Pill (Envoid) was originally created to promote fertility and reduce menstrual symptoms in women. It was approved by the FDA in 1957 and began gaining popularity, however, around that time there were many complaints by Envoid users about increased menstrual problems. The pill was re-introduced to the FDA four years later as an oral contraceptive. By 1964 the pill was a huge success and became America's number one type of birth control.
1990's - In 1992 Depo-Provera was approved by the FDA. This was the first hormonal injection that was used to prevent pregnancy.
Today - Today, there are many forms of safe and efficient birth control. There are shots, patches, rings, IUD's and Pills available in all different forms that are up to 99% effective.
Birth Control Buzz is a service company that provides birth control prices, types of birth control(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/.
Labels: birth control, birth control methods, birth control patch, Birth Control Pill, birth control types, Depo Provera, early birth control, IUD, Mirena, today sponge
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Monday, October 05, 2009
Oral Contraceptives: 21/7, 24/4 or Continuous use?
18% of women ages 15-49 use a combined oral contraceptive (COC). Of all Canadian women who use a form of birth control, 32% chose COCs as their primary form of contraception. Birth control pills were first made to be taken for 21 days before a seven day hormone-free period. Today, this 21/7 regimen is the standard dosing regimen for oral contraceptives, however there is also a newer 24/4 regimen that may have even more benefits than the standard dose of 21/7.
Many of the Canadian women taking COCs today still follow the 21/7 dose, however it is not necessary. There are many women who choose to forgo their menstrual period all together by using contraceptives continuously without a hormone free interval. All available contraceptives (oral, trans-dermal, vaginal) can be used in a continuous regimen therefore eliminating a bleeding period. This contraceptive method is becoming popular among Canadian women who are comfortable with eliminating their menstrual period.
90% of all menstruating women have reported some form of premenstrual symptoms. 30% of these women have been diagnosed with PMS, and 8% have been diagnosed with an extreme form of PMS called premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Women taking COCs that contain progestin drospirenone, have noticed relief in minor PMS symptoms including physical and emotional PMS symptoms. COCS have even been successful in alleviating symptoms of severe PMS and PMDD in some women.
The benefits of the new 24/4 regimen include a more efficient suppressing of ovarian activity, that those who take a 21/7 hormone break increase their endogenous hormone levels which making ovulation more likely, therefore giving them a higher risk of becoming pregnant and developing ovarian cysts than women who use the 24/4 regimen. The 24/4 regimen prevents hormonal fluctuations helping to improve the quality of life for its users.
Types of birth control pills and their dosage:
21/7 Regimen: Alesse, Yasmin, Cyclen
24/4 Regimen: Yaz, Loestrin 24 Fe
Extended Regimen: Seasonique, Seasonale
Types of birth control pills and their dosage:
21/7 Regimen: Alesse, Yasmin, Cyclen
24/4 Regimen: Yaz, Loestrin 24 Fe
Extended Regimen: Seasonique, Seasonale
Labels: Alesse birth control, birth control methods, birth control pills, birth control statistics, birth control types, estrogen, Menstrual Cramps, menstrual periods, menstural cycle, oral contraceptive
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Monday, September 28, 2009
5 Ways to Save Money on Birth Control
Many American women are unable to afford birth control during these harsh economic times. It's been reported that women are trying harder not to get pregnant because they can't afford to have a child. Some are trying to save money by skipping the pill or going off the pill for several months in order to save money.
Ask for Generic
Switching from a name brand birth control pill to a generic pill can help you save money. Ask your doctor to write down the generic birth control pill on your prescription.
Subsidized birth control
Find out if you qualify for subsidized birth control. Your local health department or family planning clinic may offer discount birth control to low income families.
Ask for help from your partner
This is an option for single women who don't have combined incomes with their partners. Why shouldn't the guy help pay for birth control? He's benefitting from it too - and he'll be in deeper financial problems if you become pregnant.
Short term solution
If you are strapped for cash but need to pick up your prescription, see your doctor and ask if they have any samples they could give you. Often a clinic will receive birth control samples that they will be able to give you if they understand your situation.
Insurance Plan
Your insurance plan may cover certain types of birth control like the IUD or surgical sterilization. Check your insurance plan and consult your doctor to see what will work best for you.
Birth Control Buzz is a service company that provides birth control prices, types of birth control(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/.
Labels: birth control, birth control methods, Birth Control Pill, birth control prices, generic medicine, recession, Stopping the pill
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Thursday, July 30, 2009
What are Birth Control Injections?
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.
Birth Control Buzz is a service company that provides birth control prices, types of birth control(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/.
Labels: birth control, birth control methods, depo-provera, diabetes, injection, migraines
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Thursday, July 23, 2009
North American Women are Afraid of IUD's
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
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
Birth Control Buzz is a service company that provides birth control prices, types of birth control(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/.
Labels: birth control methods, birth control pills, birth control types, contraception, contraceptive, Dalkon Shield, IUD, Mirena
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Monday, July 20, 2009
Indias New Birth Control Method
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."
Labels: birth control, birth control methods, india, overpopulation, population, population growth
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Thursday, July 02, 2009
Top 7 Failed Attempts at Birth Control
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.
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.
Birth Control Buzz is a service company that provides birth control prices, types of birth control(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/.
Labels: birth control, birth control methods, birth control myths, Birth Control Pill, condoms, douching
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