Birth Control Tips

TonyaTko asked:

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I want to talk to pro-lifers and pro-choicers about when to say “when?”

TheYoungTurks asked:

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illumistream asked:

Condoms for men and women, the sponge, spermicides… the choices abound for OTC birth control!

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While it’s no secret birth control pills are one of the most effective ways to prevent pregnancy, did you know that using birth control for an extended time has many other benefits?

Do You Suffer From an Irregular Menstrual Period?

Although most women will tell you their period comes like clockwork, a small percentage experience an irregular menstrual period month after month. If you’re one of them, you know how annoying it can be not knowing when your next menstrual period will arrive.

For one thing, an irregular period can wreak havoc on ones lifestyle in many ways. First of all, just the uncertainty of not knowing when their next period will start causes many women unnecessary stress. For women who may experience heavy bleeding initially, being able to quickly recognize the onset of their menstrual period is very important. If unprepared, it’s unexpected arrival can cause embarrassment and discomfort, especially for teenage girls.

For women who are sexually active, having an irregular period can cause a lot of anxiety. Whether single or in a committed relationship, most women prefer that pregnancy not be a guessing game. Having a menstrual period that greatly fluctuates can cause a woman to constantly wonder if she is pregnant or suffering from an underlying illness.

Women who have an irregular menstrual period often make several visits to their gynecologist or family physician in hopes of finding a cause for the condition. Usually they are told an irregular period is “normal”. The doctor will often reassure them that there’s nothing to worry about. Fortunately for these women, a safe and effective way to regulate their irregular period is possible.

Birth Control Pills – An Effective Way to Tame an Irregular Period

Birth control pills, when taken as prescribed and only by women who should take them, are a great solution to dealing with an irregular menstrual cycle. By simply taking the pill on a daily basis, you can have a more predictable menstrual period within weeks.

Most women and teenage girls can safely take birth control pills without any harmful side effects. However, if you do experience pain or discomfort from a specific brand of birth control pills, there are many other birth control medications your physician can choose to administer.

Mothers of teenage girls who suffer from an irregular menstrual period may be reluctant to allow their daughters to take birth control. Many people are misinformed about the dangers and risks of taking birth control pills long-term. For young girls troubled by an irregular menstrual period, the stress and anxiety caused by this condition may be more harmful than the possible side effects from birth control pills.

In addition, some birth control medications have proven helpful in reducing or eliminating acne. For teenage girls who have tried numerous over the counter acne products, birth control pills may clear up their complexion while treating their irregular menstrual period.

Women who experience an irregular period may also have heavier menstrual bleeding during some cycles. This excess bleeding can result in anemia occasionally. By taking birth control pills the amount of bleeding during an irregular period is reduced, which in turn lowers the risk of anemia.

How Do Birth Control Pills Work?

Birth control pills are generally broken down into two categories.

1. The first and most common type is referred to as combination birth control pills. These tablets contain two hormones called estrogen and progestin which are produced naturally in the body by the ovaries.

2. The second type of birth control pills contains only progestin. This type of birth control is often referred to as a minipill. Although not quite as effective as combination birth control pills (99% effective when used correctly), minipills have approximately a 98% success rate. Minipills are often recommended for women who experience side effects or discomfort from taking combination type birth control pills.

Combination birth control pills are available in both 21 and 28 day packets. Basically each packet contains 21 pills to prevent pregnancy. The purpose of the extra birth control pills in a 28 day packet is simply to remind the patient to take the pills on a regular basis. Most physicians will stress the important of taking the pill at about the same time each day.

In order for pregnancy to occur, ovulation must take place. Birth control pills are highly effective in stopping ovulation, making the risk of pregnancy very slim. Birth control pills can also help treat an irregular menstrual period because they control the levels of estrogen and progestin in the body. Without the use of birth control pills, these hormones are produced naturally in the body but the amounts are not regulated.



By: Antonio LeMaire

About the Author:

For women of child bearing age, endometriosis can be a nightmare. This chronic, incurable condition affects millions of women, causing them a great deal of pain and discomfort.

Although there is no known cure for endometriosis, there are a number of treatments available which can eliminate or reduce symptoms. The type of treatment prescribed will depend upon the severity of your endometriosis symptoms.

As this article will explore, birth control pills such as Yasmin are becoming an increasingly popular treatment for many endometriosis sufferers.

Endometriosis Description: What Exactly is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a condition that results in an overgrowth of tissue in the uterus. While this tissue, called endometrium, is necessary in the womb, when the tissue grows outside of the womb and spreads to other parts of the body, endometriosis occurs.

Endometrial tissue can spread to the bladder, bowels, ovaries, or other areas surrounding the uterus. This spreading tissue is often referred to as lesions, tumors, nodules or growths. Although endometriosis can also spread to other areas of the body, that is very rare. Endometriosis is usually confined to the region surrounding the uterus.

Even though endometriosis growths are usually benign, they can still cause pain and discomfort in the area where they occur.

During her period, a woman discharges excess tissue and blood through the uterus. In endometriosis patients, the tissue located outside the uterus cannot be discharged. Over time the amount of tissue increases, resulting in pain and an increase in severity of the endometriosis symptoms.

As the endometriosis worsens, the affected tissue area can experience both scarring and inflammation. In more severe cases, the endometrium tissue can block the area around the ovaries and fallopian tubes, sometimes resulting in infertility or extreme difficulty in becoming pregnant.

What are My Chances of Getting Endometriosis?

Although endometriosis can affect any female, some women have a higher risk of contracting the condition. Having one or more of the following factors can increase your endometriosis risk:

1. Heredity. If a family member has endometriosis, your chances of suffering from endometriosis at some point are increased.

2. Irregular Cycle. A 28-day cycle is considered average. Women who menstruate more frequently on a regular basis have a greater chance of getting endometriosis.

3. Age at onset of period. Women who begin menstruating at a young age are more susceptible to developing endometriosis.

4. Heavy bleeding. Do you experience excessive bleeding on a regular basis during menstruation? If you change your pad or tampon on an hourly basis, you are likely bleeding more than what is considered normal.

5. Length of period. While the number of days a period lasts varies widely among women, five days is considered the average. If your period lasts more than seven days, your chance of suffering from endometriosis is increased.

Common Endometriosis Symptoms

The following list contains some symptoms frequently associated with endometriosis. Having one or more of the following symptoms does not guarantee the presence of endometriosis, only an increased likelihood. Only a physician can properly diagnose your condition.

1. Infertility

2. Heavy bleeding

3. Painful intercourse

4. Extreme cramps during menstruation

5. Fatigue

6. Spotting or “break through” bleeding between menstrual periods

7. Discomfort or pain while ********* or during bowel movements

8. Long periods that last over 7 days

9. Pain or discomfort in the intestinal or pelvic region

10. Persistent lower back pain.

How to Test for Endometriosis

If you suspect endometriosis, a visit to your gynecologist or obstetrician is imperative. It is important to notify your doctor of all endometriosis symptoms you are experiencing. During the first consultation, a pelvic exam is usually conducted. A pelvic exam is helpful in recognizing common signs of endometriosis.

Initially your doctor may recommend an MRI or ultrasound screening to detect excess tissue growth within the body. However, there is only one way to definitely diagnose endometriosis in women: through a procedure called laparoscopy.

Laparoscopy involves making a small incision in the abdomen. A tiny illuminated instrument is then inserted into the incision, allowing the physician to identify any growths caused by endometriosis. If the tissue can be properly identified as endometriosis, no further testing is necessary.

If the doctor cannot positively identify the tissue as endometriosis, a sampling of the tissue must be obtained for further study. After the biopsy or tissue scraping, the sample is then studied under a microscope.

Endometriosis Treatments

There are a number of methods used to treat endometriosis symptoms including pain medications, birth control pills, and surgery. The type of treatment prescribed will depend upon the severity of the individual endometriosis case. Over the counter pain killers are often the first form of treatment recommended by doctors. In mild cases, this may be enough.

For patients with moderate endometriosis, birth control pills are commonly prescribed. Today there are a number of birth control pills on the market that are highly effective in treating endometriosis. Yasmin is one popular brand of birth control pill frequently prescribed for endometriosis treatment.

Surgery to treat endometriosis is generally considered a last option reserved for patients experiencing severe trauma or pain. Depending upon the severity of pain or size of the endometriosis growths, a laparoscopy or laparotomy is performed.

Some women with endometriosis may even choose to have a hysterectomy. Although a hysterectomy is highly effective in eliminating endometriosis symptoms, it should only be considered by women who have no intention of becoming pregnant. During the hysterectomy operation, your physician may choose to remove the ovaries or fallopian tubes too.

Using Birth Control Pills to Ease Endometriosis Symptoms

Most birth control pills like Yasmin prescribed for endometriosis treatment are known as “combination pills”. These types of birth control pills contain both estrogen and progesterone. It is the combination of these two hormones that stops ovulation in order to prevent pregnancy.

Birth control pills are one of the most popular methods for treating endometriosis. The majority of patients using birth control pills to prevent endometriosis symptoms can usually take them for years without experiencing the side effects common to other types of endometriosis treatments.

Anti-inflammatory drugs can also be used along with birth control pills. In addition, patients who have previously had surgery for endometriosis may wish to take birth control pills after surgery. Future endometriosis lesions can also be eliminated or reduced through the administration of birth control pills.

Yasmin is a relatively new birth control pill that has been proven to reduce endometriosis cramps and discomfort. Patients taking Yasmin may also experience lighter bleeding and more regular menstrual periods. Yasmin is the first birth control pill available that contains drospirenone, the only progestin hormone not derived from testosterone.



By: Antonio LeMaire

About the Author:

Cass M asked:


So, I just went in to get birth control and I was told that my blood pressure is a little higher than they would like. I’m going back in next week to get it re-checked, hoping things will have calmed down in my life.
What are options for birth control (besides condoms) if someone has high blood pressure? Are there just different types of pills, or IUD, or patch, or what? I forgot to ask when I was at the office. Any help would be great.

Many women who are taking birth control pills are very happy to avoid unintended pregnancy but are blaming oral contraceptives for weight gain and fluid retention at the same time. Well, it is the undeniable fact that pills do cause weight gain in some women but not necessarily be the prime cause for all women. It is very important to know if we can associate weight gain problem with birth control pills or if they cause fluid retention or if they cause increased appetite.

The recent studies taken on low-dose (low estrogen) pills have indicated the nominal change in the weight. Weight gain while taking pills could be possible in few but not necessarily be at alarming situation. If the weight gain is due to pills then it could be a temporary phenomena and certainly not permanent. Analysts have pointed out that 5-10% women adding few pounds while they are taking birth control pills but there is similar number of women who are gaining weight but not on pills at all. Weight gain could be due to fluid retention in the body (occurs other than the pills) and fat deposition. Some women may be sensitive to either of these and experience weight gain regardless of birth control pills.

How much weight gain could be possible on birth control pills?

It is usually argued that birth control pills, specially higher dose of estrogen pills (more than 30 mcgm), cause more weight than birth control injection like Depo Provera. Studies have revealed that women using high dose pills tend to gain 5.3 lb in a year compared to women who are taking Depo Provera as contraception and gaining 6.6 lb (2.2 kg) in a year’s time. However, analysts have further found that only 7% women who were taking pills got more than 10% of they body weight. But women who were taking shots for Depo Provera, 25% of them gained more than 10% of their body weight. If you compare 5.3 lb weight due to pills with 6.6 lb weight gained due to birth control injection, you will notice that not only women who are on birth control pills get lesser weight in a year than birth control injection method but also at lesser risk of weight gain.

Moreover, most of the recent studies on lower estrogen hormone based pills (30 mcgm or less) have shown weight loss or no change, if continued to take for a year.

But birth control pills may cause fluid retention, isn’t it true?

It can not denied that pills containing high doses of estrogen may cause fluid retention in the body, specially if the pill has 50 mcgm estrogen or more. How it happens? Well, high doses of estrogen stimulate kidney-substances like renin-angiotensin, which is responsible for water retention that again causes sodium (salt) retention that ultimately causes the weight gain. Studies on different levels of estrogen based birth control pills revealed that pills having less than 20 mcgm estrogen reduce weight, 30 mcgm pills make no difference in the weight or nominal loss of weight whereas 50 mcgm pills cause fluid retention and weight gain.

If you are on birth control pill and experiencing more than 5% of your body weight gain in a year, it may be due to your body’s reaction to insulin resistance or abnormal glucose metabolism. You need to consult your healthcare professional to adopt low carbohydrate diet because high amount of sugar in any meal will offset your weight control efforts.

Besides, low estrogen, what other types of birth control pills can affect on weight?

The combined pills containing desogestrel type of progestin and low dose of estrogen would cause very little weight gain compared to the pills containing norethindrone (like Ortho Novum 7/7/7®). This is possibly due to specific progestin causing weight gain mainly due to lesser insulin resistance. Low estrogen can be found in the birth control pills like Alesse, Loestrin Fe, Mircette etc. If you are experiencing weight gain or fluid retention symptoms from your present birth control pills, you can consult your healthcare professional or doctor to know which birth control pills are suitable for you.

You may also visit at http://www.mybirthcontrolstore.com/birth-control-pills.html to look at the comparative study of the different level of hormones used in various birth control pills. The above article is for general information on weight gain and fluid retention problems associated with birth control pills and should not be taken as medical advice. If it is so, please consult your doctor or physician for treatment purpose.



By: Linda Crowford

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