Category Archives: family Planning Contraception

Types of Birth Control Methods

February 2, 2012

People now have access to many types of birth control. If for casual sex, lots of people use condoms only, and the morning-after pill, when necessary, stable couples often want to explore their options more carefully. It is when people get involved in serious relationships that they search for information and talk to family planning specialists to find reliable methods that reflect their sexual needs.

Hormonal birth control

Numerous types of birth control means use hormones to prevent pregnancy. here we ought to mention the patch, the hormonal shot, the oral pill, the vaginal ring and a certain variety of intrauterine devices. Hormonal contraceptives have a high efficiency rate, yet they have a higher risk of side effects, and they cannot be used by just anybody. the woman should be in perfect health, and should consult a specialist to have a hormonal contraceptive prescribed.

The intrauterine device is inserted in the woman’s uterus, making the uterine lining unsuitable for the implantation of a fertilized egg. It can only be inserted by a gynecologist. the doctor will explain to you how the device works and whether you have to pay attention to special issues while you have it on. sometimes the ITU can cause abnormal bleeding or very abundant menstrual bleeds.

These types of birth control include condoms, female diaphragm, cervical cap and sponges. Condoms are the only ones that protect against sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy at the same time. however, they have to be used correctly and consistently to offer optimal protection. the cervical cap and the diaphragm need to be custom-made so that they fit the woman’s individual specificity.

Natural birth control

Some people use natural contraceptive methods in parallel with other types of birth control. here we should mention the calendar method, that calculates the fertile period based on the changes specific to the woman’s menstrual cycle. the fertile period can be determined either by observing the consistency of the cervical mucus, or by taking and recording basal temperature daily.

Natural birth control is also possible through abstinence or through withdrawal. It is important to talk to a family planning expert to evaluate your options and know for sure which methods are more suitable for you. sometimes a combination of various types of birth control should be used in order to achieve the right kind of protection against pregnancy and STDs. Moreover, an open attitude in the couple with mutual respect and support helps a lot.

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Court Blocks Anti-Choice Legislation in South Dakota

January 6, 2012

A federal court this evening blocked implementation of South Dakota H.B. 1217, the law passed earlier this year that would require a woman seeking an abortion to wait at least 72 hours after first meeting her doctor before having the procedure, the longest and most extreme mandatory delay in the country.  during this “waiting period,” women would be required to visit a so-called crisis pregnancy center.  These centers, which are by definition anti-choice, are not only opposed to women making the decision to terminate a pregnancy, they also oppose contraception and provide medically inaccurate information based on religious ideology, not science. 

The law was to have taken effect July 1.

South Dakota residents rejected an abortion ban by referendum in 2008. since that time, zealots in the South Dakota legislature have been engaged in trying to pass the same laws voters earlier overwhelmingly rejected.

Planned Parenthood called the court decision “a decisive victory for planned Parenthood and the women and families of South Dakota.”

“This law represents a blatant intrusion by politicians into difficult decisions women and families sometimes need to make,” said Sarah Stoesz, President and CEO of planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota.

“We trust women and families in South Dakota to know and do what is best for them, without being coerced by the government. And we stand with them in our efforts to overturn this outrageous law.”

In granting temporary relief from the law, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Karen Schreier found that planned Parenthood is likely to prevail on its challenge to each of the requirements of the law, including the 72-hour mandatory delay and the “pregnancy help center” requirement.

Judge Schreier cut right to the chase in underscoring the real intentions of this law.

In finding that the “pregnancy help center” requirement is likely unconstitutional, the Court said:  “Forcing a woman to divulge to a stranger at a pregnancy help center the fact that she has chosen to undergo an abortion humiliates and degrades her as a human being. the woman will feel degraded by the compulsive nature of the Pregnancy Help Center requirements, which suggest that she has made the ‘wrong’ decision, has not really ‘thought’ about her decision to undergo an abortion, or is ‘not intelligent enough’ to make the decision with the advice of a physician.  Furthermore, these women are forced into a hostile environment.”

In addition to humiliation, this law would have had the intended effect of making even early abortion much more expensive, especially since South Dakota has few abortion providers and many women in need of abortion must already take time off work, arrange for child care, drive long distances and make other economic sacrifices to obtain abortion care. 

Mimi Liu, an attorney with planned Parenthood Federation of America who argued the case in court, said:

“This law takes restricting access to abortion to a whole new level. If implemented, it would have the practical effect of requiring many of our patients to drive the equivalent of halfway across the country to access an abortion. on top of that, it would force our patients to discuss their most private medical information with an unlicensed, non-medical group that is opposed to abortion.  We are happy and relieved for our patients that the court’s decision today means they will not have to suffer through these outrageous and demeaning requirements.”

Liu was joined in court by attorneys from the law firm Dorsey & Whitney and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

“The law is an insult to the women of South Dakota,” said Brigitte Amiri, senior staff attorney with the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project, “and the court has rightly found that the government has no business egregiously inserting itself into what should be a personal matter between a woman and her doctor.”

Referring to referenda and other efforts to restrict the ability of individual women to make their own choices, Stoesz said: “Time after time, South Dakota voters have sent the clear message to their lawmakers that politicians should not interfere with personal medical decisions. And time after time, politicians have ignored the voters. It’s time that someone brought a stop to these costly, intrusive, burdensome and divisive measures. Women and families know their circumstances best, and they need to be able to make personal medical decisions, often very difficult ones, without the government intruding.”

Other women’s rights organizations, such as NARAL Pro-Choice America and NARAL Pro-Choice South Dakota also applauded the decision.

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Religious Groups Already Offer Contraception Coverage In 28 States

December 11, 2011

The Obama administration has come under considerable pressure from religious organizations to broaden the definition of which institutions can avoid the Affordable Care Act’s mandate to provide preventive health care services to women without additional cost sharing. These groups are accusing Democrats of waging a religious war against Christians by requiring they provide services — such as birth control — that may violate Church teaching. but as NPR’s Julie Rovner reports this morning, Christian affiliated groups already offer coverage for contraception in 28 states, eight of which don’t include the kind of conscience protections that are part of the administration’s proposed regulation:

But while some insist that the rules, which spring from last year’s health law, break new ground, many states as well as federal civil rights law already require most religious employers to cover prescription contraceptives if they provide coverage of other prescription drugs.

While some religious employers take advantage of loopholes or religious exemptions, the fact remains that dozens of Catholic hospitals and universities currently offer contraceptive coverage as part of their health insurance packages.

“We’ve always had contraceptive birth control included in our health care benefits,” said Michelle Michaud, a labor and delivery nurse at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz, Calif. “It’s something that we’ve come to expect for ourselves and our family.”

In other words, for religious groups to argue that the existing conscience provision stifle their religious expression would require one to believe that Christians are oppressed in almost half the states and are practically persecuted in eight of them. the reality on the ground is far less gloomy: religiously-affiliated institutions already offer birth control coverage to millions of secular women who work in their hospitals or teach in their colleges because their first Amendment amendment rights don’t allow them to pick and choose which laws they want to follow. As the Supreme Court concluded in 1990′s Employment Division v. Smith, if religious organizations can ignore regulations they disagreed with, then “the professed doctrines of religious belief [would be] superior to the law of the land, and in effect…permit every citizen to become a law unto himself.”

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Force Factor Side Effects Revealed – Using Force Factor May Cause a Few Side Effects

October 18, 2011

In your quest to get the most out of your workout, you have most likely tried many supplements in the hopes to maximize your potential for strength and definition. some of these products will work and some will not. Unfortunately, some of them are also dangerous. you know how destructive steroids can be, and anyone that is serious about their health will stay away from them at all costs. Are there any supplements that are side effect free? I have not seen any that are truly side effect free, but that does not mean that they are dangerous either. A perfect example is the ongoing discussion about Force Factor side effects.

Any Force Factor side effects that you may experience are relatively mild, especially when compared to many of the other products that are readily endorsed by body builders. the most severe that I have heard about are temporary bouts with stomach cramps and headache. Fortunately, even those symptoms seem to occur only in rare cases or if the supplement is not taken as directed.

Before going out and buying a bottle of this supplement, you will probably want to find somewhere offering one of the free trials so you can discover for yourself if the product will work for you. the Nitric oxide that this supplement produces can help you make significant strides in the effectiveness of your workout. as with any other supplement, if you are experiencing and Force Factor side effects you should stop using the product immediately and promptly return it for a refund.

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Contraceptive Pill Types Explained

September 1, 2011

This is an introductory explanation of the different types of oral contraceptive pills that may help you to finally select the one that is best for your body. 50 years on, we have discovered that the oral contraceptive pill for women still prevents pregnancy if it is made up of much lower doses of estrogen and progestin than in the early days. ‘The Pill’ used to contain 50-100 micrograms of estrogen and today it contains only 20-35 micrograms, with researchers trying to reduce this amount further to reduce side effects. Synthetic hormones (estrogen/ethinyl estradiol and progestin) used in contraceptive pills mimic the natural hormones (oestrogen and progesterone) produced by the ovaries, adrenal gland and liver.

Estrogen’s main job in a contraceptive pill is to prevent ovulation (release of an egg from a woman’s ovary). Progestin in the pill, while it does have some intermittent effect on ovulation (about 50% of the time) is relied on mainly to thicken the mucus around the cervix to stop sperm from getting through to an egg.

Contraceptive Pills come in two basic types: single hormone pills (progestin only) and combination hormone pills (estrogen + progestin) Pills are supplied in two basic packs- 28 day pill packs= 3 weeks of active hormone pills +1 week placebo pills and 21 day pill packs= 3 weeks of active hormone pills with no placebo pills.

PROGESTIN only pills (the ‘mini pill’) do not contain estrogen and only have a small amount of progestin in them. Breastfeeding women are often prescribed these ‘mini pills’ (estrogen may cause a reduction in milk supply) as well as women who cannot take synthetic estrogen for medical reasons. side effects are less than pills containing estrogen and they are not associated with heart disease, however, irregular bleeding /spotting/mood swings may occur. Progestin only pills MUST be taken at the same time each day and are affected by vomiting or diarrhoea.this type of contraceptive pill is not affected by antibiotics.

COMBINATION PILLS- contain estrogen and progestin and can be further categorized as being Monophasic, Biphasic or Triphasic- so what do these terms mean? Pills are put into these categories according to whether or not the levels of hormones they contain stay the same throughout the first three weeks of a woman’s menstrual cycle (in 28 day pill packs, the pills for the fourth week in the pack are placebo or ‘reminder pills’ that are inactive and do not contain any hormones)

MONOPHASIC Pill- is one that contains the same amount of hormones in every ACTIVE pill so you are less likely to have mood swings as your hormone levels do not vary much throughout the month. Popular monophasic pills include:Alesse, Brevicon, Desogen, Levlen, Levlite, Loestrin, Modicon, Nelova, Nordette, Norinyl,Ortho-Cept, Ortho-Cyclen, Ortho-Novum, Ovcon, Yasmin. In 2003 the FDA approved a new packaging of a monophasic contraceptive pill called Seasonale. this pill is taken for 91 days, during which no periods occur -so in one year, women taking this pill will only have 4 periods (for the first year though, expect the same no. of menstrual days as with a traditional contraceptive pill till your body adjusts)

BIPHASIC PIll- is one that contains different amounts of hormones throughout the pack. these pills alter your hormone levels once during your cycle by increasing the dosage of progestin about halfway through your cycle and are thought to better match your body’s natural production of hormones- they contain smaller doses of hormones in total than monophasic pills. However, insufficient evidence has been gathered to favour these pills over monophasic ones, where much more reliable data is available so monophasic pills are preferred. Breakthrough bleeding has been reported as a side effect with these pills. Popular biphasic pills include : Jenest, Mircette, Necon 10/11, Nelova 10/11, Ortho-Novum 10/11. Attempts to decrease side effects led to the three-phase pill in the 1980s.

TRIPHASE pill- is one that contains 3 different amounts of hormones in the ACTIVE pills over three weeks, i.e. a change in hormone levels within the body occurs every 7 days for the first 3 weeks.. the dose of estrogen is gradually increased and in some pills, the dose of progestin is also increased. whether three-phase pills lead to fewer pregnancies than two-phase pills is unknown. nor is it known if the pills give better cycle control or have fewer side effects. Look for the ‘TRI’ on the label such as:Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Triphasil, Tri-Levlen, Trivora, Tri-Norinyl, other brands include: Cyclessa, Ortho-Novum 7/7/7.

The best Pill to take – All contraceptive pills are effective if taken correctly, with combination pills (containing both estrogen and progestin) being more effective than the low dose ‘mini pill’. Monophasic pills may be the best to start with as they are cheaper and those with lower amounts of estrogen may have fewer side effects (but more breakthrough bleeding)

Always use back up (a condom or diaphragm) for the rest of the month if you miss a pill. Trial and error, side effects and talking to your doctor should help you to find a contraceptive pill that suits your body. Pregnancies occur mainly when women forget to take a pill or take them incorrectly, vomit, get diarrhoea or, in the case of the mini pill, do not take pills at the same time each day. It is very easy to start a pill packet late if you just forget or if you don’t have the next new packet on hand. the most dangerous time to miss a pill is at the end or beginning of a packet because it lengthens the pill free gap beyond seven days which means that you may not have absorbed sufficient synthetic hormones to prevent you from ovulating in the next month.

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What are contraception options available for wedding night other than using a condom?

August 30, 2011

health.am/sex/more/methods_of…

I use tthe sponge because the pill almost killed me when I was 19! I got blood clots in my lungs from it and was hospitalized for 10 days and had to take blood thinners for a year–and now if I ever get pregnant, I will have to take injections daily so my body won't reject the fetus!

The sponge is indetectable to either of you, and you can wear it for up to 24 hours, but it must be left in for 6 hours after intercourse…We've been using this for over a year and we're happy with this choice! it is a little pricey–like $3.50 per use…

Immediate usage includes spermicide, the female condom, foams, and the sponge. if you're looking for something more perminant, she'll need BC abd I highly reccomend she start it asap to adjust to it. the aforementioned ring is the NuvaRing,which also requires a script,but I find it to be much easier to use and much less troublesome healthwise than the pill or patch (which is having its own issues with dispension and clotting as it is).

If you are a sensible man.. withdrawal before ejaculation is the best bet. I always do the same. we are married for 5 years and follow this method. No pills no medicines, full fun no condom full contact and no ejaculation inside.

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Planning For Your Family Portraits

August 25, 2011

Here are several points to consider when planning for your family portraits.

How often? Generally, every three years, or after a major change such as birth or marriage. Any longer than that, and people will have changed enough that the old portrait on the wall looks like someone else.

What Time of Year? you can choose any time of year. If you are winter people, why not pick a ski or other outdoor setting? If you are boaters, late summer is a good time. many family images are captured in early autumn. the weather is cooler, things may have calmed down a bit from summer, and you have the opportunity to capture fall colors in many areas of the country.

What’s the Occasion? Most family portraits are not centered around any specific occasion – they are scheduled and conducted independent of other life activities. However, if you have a special gathering of relatives for a family reunion, holiday get-together, wedding, baptism or graduation, it is a good opportunity to get extended family images taken.

What Location? Think about what kind of images you would like to have preserved. are you interested in formal, indoor portraits, or more casual, outdoor images? are you fond of beach or woods settings? Determining how you want your family represented is an important step in planning for your family portraits. Destination Images are one option you may not normally think to consider – if you hire a photographer to take your images while on a trip, or travel with the photographer to a special location, you can capture some truly special images.

Where do you want to Display? Your family portraits should command the center of attention in your house. Be certain to think about the locations where you would like to display the images. Your photographer will consult with you on the size and type of images that would work well in each setting, as well as some color scheme ideas for clothing and setting that would compliment the decor. Also think about your work and second home for possibilities to display wall portraits and desk images.

What/Who do We Include? Well, the core family is a must. you may want to add extended family such as husbands and wives and their children for some images. you will have to consider whether boyfriends and girlfriends are in your main group shots – it may be best to have smaller images with them and a smaller group. If you have a property, setting or toy such as a boat, camp, farm or club to which you belong, you may want to have those featured as well.

What Should We Wear? it will depend on the setting of course, but the key is to be compatible in color and dress. For beach, it is common to have either khaki or denim bottoms and white or other solid-color tops, and often, bare feet are better in the sand than footwear. For fall photos, denim and solid colors are appropriate. For special setting or destinations, you just need to plan and communicate before the day of the event.

How Long to plan for the Session? You’ll want to block off a couple of hours for an average family session. To make sure the session goes well, plan to have your clothing laid out before that day, and make sure any small children and pets are well rested and fed. Family sessions should be relaxed and pleasant. In fact, many customers comment that their family session was one of the more enjoyable events that their family has had.

What to Budget? Family portraits are not like school pictures. they are an investment and works of art, and they are not generally taken more than once every few years. So be prepared to invest in the legacy and memory. the actual cost of the images will depend upon your photographer and the products that you choose, and you should discuss the financial deatils during your planning sessions.

So, that’s not so bad you now are prepared to search for and contact photographers who can guide you through your family portrait experience. as you screen your photographers, see if they ask you these questions. If they do not, then you need to question their ability to understand and meet your needs. and if it’s been more than three years for your family – start planning for your portraits today

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Advantages and Disadvantages of DMPA Injectable Contraceptives

June 30, 2011

Of all the scientific advancements, effective contraception is arguably the one that has been eminent in making women equal partners in society. It has also given men and women unprecedented control over such major life considerations as when and how families are created and reared.

One of the most successful means of contraception is the injectable contraceptive. This method of birth control involves synthetic hormones that are administered by a deep intra-muscular injection. these injections are considered to be a secure technique of reversible contraception for most women. There is availability of two types of injectable contraceptives. these are progestin-only contraceptives and combined contraceptives that contain both progestin and estrogen hormones. The progestin-only injections contain DMPA, which stands for depot medroxyprogesterone acetate. The administered dosage is 150 mg IM every three months. The injection should be given within the first five days of the onset of menses. if given beyond this time, it is advisable to use an alternate birth control method for two to four weeks.

The DMPA contraceptives prevent pregnancy by inhibiting the process of ovulation, which signifies the release of the eggs by the ovaries. They also thicken the cervical mucus, thus making it difficult for the sperms to pass through. This process also decreases the motility of the fallopian tubes. if found satisfactory, these injections can be used by women throughout their reproductive years. however, this method is recommended for females above the age of 16 because of the theoretical concern about its repercussion on bone density.

Similar to any other technique of birth control, the DMPA contraceptives also have their advantages and disadvantages. First, a look at the advantages. This method is hassle free and effective. It has been used by over 90 million women and is reported to be as effective as sterilization. one injection can prevent pregnancy for 3 months. Secondly, it offers no hindrance to normal sexual life and can be made use of at any stage. Thirdly, it is extremely safe and can be even used by nursing mothers as early as six weeks after childbirth. Also, there is probably no increase in congenital abnormalities when contraception failure occurs. Fourthly, there are no side effects related to estrogen, which involve the risk of heart attack. Fifthly, it shields the body from ovarian and endometrial cancer and uterine fibroids. Lastly, it is reversible and one can plan a family after a gap of three to six months on stopping the usage.

The disadvantages include alteration in menstrual bleeding, which implies light spotting or heavy bleeding in the beginning. Amenorrhea is a normal effect especially after the first year of use. these injections may result in a few extra pounds as well. The weight gain could be to the proportion of 2 to 4 lbs. each year. however, diet restrictions could be helpful in such cases. There could be symptoms of headache, breast tenderness, moodiness, nausea, hair loss, less sex drive or acne in some women. one of the biggest disadvantages is that this method does not safeguard from sexually transmitted diseases including HIV and AIDS.

All techniques of contraception have side effects. one just has to weigh the pros and cons and make the best choice suitable to ensure a carefree living.

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Bangkok Post : Male birth control

June 25, 2011

Birth control has remained primarily a female responsibility. Although many believe that men should play a bigger role in the choice and use of contraception, there are only limited options available for men – condom and vasectomy. the disadvantages of the two methods are not trivial. Vasectomies are not readily reversible, and condoms have a high typical use failure rate.

It was not easy at all to find a way to suppress men’s sperm production, given that sperm is produced continuously and men emit millions of sperm in each ejaculation, while women only produce one egg per month.

For many decades, researches have been conducted to find safe and effective birth control methods for men and things may soon change. a male contraceptive method is almost ready.

HORMONAL CONTRACEPTION

The goal of hormonal contraception is to find a way of temporarily blocking the effects of testosterone (male hormone that triggers sperm production) so that the testicles stop producing healthy sperm. however, the hard part is that this needs to be achieved without lowering testosterone levels to such an extent that it causes side effects, such as a loss of sexual desire.

A synthetic version of testosterone is one possible answer. it would stop natural testosterone to produce new sperm cells, while testosterone levels would be kept high enough to prevent side effects. Researchers are also investigating its combination with progestogen (a synthetic version of female sex hormone) which could possibly yield higher effective results. however, the results also showed that sperm production suppression effects were different among men of different ethnic origins and the reasons are still unknown and more detailed studies are needed.

NON-HORMONAL CONTRACEPTION

These methods involve the vas deferens, which is the tube that sperm pass through on their way to the penis. One promising technique, which is claimed to be 100% effective, is called RISUG – Reversible Inhibition of Sperm under Guidance.

For this technique, a non-toxic synthetic chemical is injected into the vas deferens. the chemical then acts as a security system, coating the inside walls and deactivates and/or kills sperm when they come into contact with it. the method is effective almost immediately after it is injected. the results are similar to a traditional vasectomy but simpler and it is easily reversible by another injection which dissolves and flushes the chemical out. Researchers reported only little or no side effects other than slight scrotal swelling in some men immediately after the injection, which dissolves spontaneously after a few weeks.

A variation of this technique is called the IVD – intra-vas device – which involves injecting a “plug” into the vas deferens which can be removed later. the IVD filters out the sperm as it passes though the vas deferens. Initial results of both RISUG and IVD are promising, but further research is needed to assess the long-term effectiveness and safety.

But one important question remains Will men really use them? Although surveys show that a majority of men are open to the idea, only time will tell…

Assoc Prof Dittakarn Boriboonhirunsarn, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital

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Common Side Effects of Hormonal Contraception

June 16, 2011

Hormonal contraception is the most commonly used reversible means of birth control in the US and much of the developed world. since the initial oral contraceptive pills were introduced 1960 the dose of estrogen in the most common combined estrogen and progestin oral contraceptives had decreased by about 2/3 and serious side effects are far less common. still side effects can occur and this article will discuss the common side effects and their management.

This article is not meant to be comprehensive, or to address the rare more serious hormonal contraceptive complications like deep vein thrombosis, stroke and risk of breast cancer.

  • Acne is more common with progestion only hormonal contraception like depo-provera and the mini-pill, and is less common with some of the newer low dose combination oral contraceptives.
  • Amenorrhea is more common and expected with the Mirina IUD, depoprovera, and continuous use OCPs or continuous use Nuvaring.
  • Breakthrough bleeding is more common with continuous use OCPs, the mini-pill, and Implanon. It is less common but still fairly common with the lowest dose estrogen combination OCPs.
  • Weight Gain: possibly with depo-provera, not shown to be an issue with other types of hormonal contraception.
  • Decreased sex drive: only seen with very low dose estrogen OCPs (15 mcg of estrogen daily)
  • Increased vaginal discharge: common with Nuvaring, not with outer types.
  • Headache: can be seen with all of the hormonal contraceptives and is more common in women over age 35.
  • Oily skin: common with progestin only types like depo-provera and the mini-pill, maybe with Implanon.

Most women who do not have a major contraindication to hormonal contraception use can find a type that will meet their needs and give effective and well tolerated contraception. A more comprehensive review is available in AFP

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