FitSugar

Are Occasional Breaks From the Pill Necessary?

FitSugar — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:50:05 -0700

Almost every woman I know has been on the pill at some point in her life, and many of us started when we were under 20 years old. It has many health benefits, such as preventing unwanted pregnancies, decreasing the risk of ovarian cancer, and alleviating PMS symptoms. The one big negative about the pill is that statistics show being on it for longer than 10 years puts you at a higher risk for breast cancer. Women may also be worried that taking hormones for so long may affect their chances of having a baby in the future. So does it make sense to take regular vacations from the pill to give your body some hormone-free time?

To find out if this is a good idea, read more.

While it's common to think that taking occasional breaks from the pill is beneficial for your body, it's actually not necessary. It's a myth that may have started a while back, since the very first birth control pills contained high doses of hormones. Today's pills contain a much lower amount so they're completely safe to take for years at a time. Doctors actually think it's healthier for your body to remain on the pill. The fluctuations in hormones can have a negative effect on your body, both physically and emotionally. Plus, all the symptoms you experienced when you first started the pill such as moodiness, sore breasts, or yeast infections may show up again.

What about your fertility? You may be worried that staying on the pill continuously for many years will make it harder to get pregnant when you decide to start a family. There's no evidence that being on the pill has any effect on a woman's future ability to conceive - it merely prevents pregnancy while a woman is on it. In fact, regularly going on and off the pill may increase your chances of having an unplanned pregnancy since your protection isn't consistent.

Most importantly, if you've been on the pill forever, you'll be happy to know that as soon as you go off it your risk for developing breast cancer begins to go back to normal over time. If you're worried about your risk, or the whole idea of putting hormones in your body doesn't sit well with you, talk to your doctor about hormone-free alternatives such as the ParaGard IUC. A permanent vacation from the pill might be the better option, as opposed to a break.

What Do You Use For Birth Control?

FitSugar — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 04:30:19 -0700

It might seem like I have ~~sex~~ birth control on the brain. Last week I asked you about your experience or lack thereof with the female condom. Although it's most often talked about in intimate settings, birth control is in the news.

Concerns are being raised about the safety of the Yaz birth control pill, the top selling pill in the US, according to the New York Times. Women taking Yaz might have a higher chance of developing blood clots compared to other birth control pills, a claim that drug maker Bayer disputes. Investigation is ongoing, as are 74 lawsuits charging that Yaz and Yasmin, a similar product by Bayer, created health problems in women taking these pills. The lawsuits are tricky business though, since warnings about clots are presented in the pharmaceuticals' literature. Bayer strongly stands behind its product.

These new fears about the most commonly used contraceptive pill in America emphasize that avoiding pregnancy can be a difficult task, sometimes with medical consequences. I am curious about you . . .

Has Birth Control Affected Your Weight?

FitSugar — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 09:00:00 -0800

As if there weren't enough factors to worry about in the weight control battle, some varieties of birth control can disturb a balance we may have achieved. In a recent interview, Dancing With the Stars celebrity Cheryl Burke spoke about her weight fluctuation and said, "I decided over the Summer to stop taking birth control pills. I did it thinking that I was going to lose more weight for the season. But it actually did the opposite. It made me gain weight."

It's the first I've heard of someone going off birth control and gaining weight - most women I know have either maintained or lost a few pounds. One way or another, has birth control affected the number on your scale?

Source

5 Things: About Plan B

FitSugar — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 13:45:00 -0700

As sexually active women, we all need forms of birth control that fit our lifestyle. Whatever option you choose, no one form is considered 100% effective at preventing pregnancy, except for abstinence, but is that realistic? Since methods can fail (condoms break or pills get skipped), there is Plan B (emergency contraception). There are some things you should know about this method, and here are five things.

Plan B is just two little pills that contain the hormone levonorgestrel. It's the same hormone found in regular birth control pills, just a stronger dose.
The first pill should be taken within 72 hours after intercourse (within 24 hours is best), and the second pill is taken 12 hours later.
Plan B is not RU-486, also known as the abortion pill. That means that taking it will only prevent a pregnancy that hasn't happened yet. Taking Plan B will NOT harm an implanted egg.
Side effects of taking Plan B include nausea, abdominal pain (similar to period cramps), fatigue, headache, menstrual changes, dizziness, breast tenderness, vomiting, and diarrhea. Plan B affects everyone differently so it may bring on your period immediately, or you may just get it at your regular time. If your period is more than a week late, you should take a pregnancy test since Plan B is not 100% effective.
Plan B is available over the counter in some states. Call your pharmacy to see if they have it. If you are sexually active and don't want to become pregnant anytime soon, (and aren't opposed to taking plan B), it's not a bad idea to keep a dose in your medicine cabinet just in case.

Fit's Tips: Plan B is for emergencies only and shouldn't take the place of your regular and consistent form of birth control. You should also know that Plan B does NOT protect you from STIs.

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Echinacea Proves Medical Worth, Safety Still in Question

FitSugar — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 02:00:00 -0700

Echinacea is a little herb that has been a big topic in the health world for some time now. Does it fight colds or doesn't it? Is it safe or isn't it?

Well according to new reports Echinacea actually does reduce a person's risk of catching a cold significantly (by 58 percent). While the herb also shortened the duration of the average cold, researchers from the University of Connecticut said they weren't sure by how much.

Take this all with a grain of salt since the studies authors said they had only evaluated Echinacea's effectiveness for cold prevention, not the herb's overall safety. Plus if you're on the pill be especially careful since they are still figuring out if the herb can interfere with its effectiveness.

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Brides: Finding the Right Birth Control

FitSugar — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 15:45:00 -0700

Now that you are getting married, you might find that your birth control needs are changing. Since you are in a monogamous relationship, you don't have to worry about contracting an STI, so birth control methods that weren't an option before may suddenly be perfect for you. Plus, you may want to think about more suitable options depending on whether or not you are planning on having kids.

If you are thinking about starting a family soon, you can continue using condoms - because they are easy. If you don't want to be bothered IN the moment the Pill or other hormonal methods are great options. The monophasic birth control pills, the Patch, an IUD like Mirena, or the Nuvaring are effective at preventing pregnancy, and you'll begin ovulating soon after you stop using them.

If kids are in your near future, and you are using a long-term method of birth control such as the Depo-Provera shot, or the Implanon insert, you may want to consider going off of these soon after you get married. It can take up to a year for your body to get back to its normal cycle. You can use one of the above forms of birth control such as the Pill or condoms, until you know you're ready to start your family. You have talked about whether the two of you want kids, right?

Of course after you say "I Do," if you and your husband are planning on getting pregnant right away, you'll want to get off any form of birth control and possibly work on charting your cycle using the Fertility Awareness Method. That way you'll know which days are the best for getting preggers.

Fit's Tips: Now that you are entering this new stage in your life, if you aren't seeing one already, than switch to a gynecologist who's also an obstetrician. It's good to build a relationship with a doctor who could deliver your future children. They'll also be able to give you advice about birth control methods that will fit with your married lifestyle.

Source

Which is More Embarrassing?

FitSugar — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 03:30:00 -0700

I love that grocery stores carry so many necessary things, but buying certain products can give strangers insight into your personal life. With that in mind...

The Female Condom

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 17:30:00 -0700

If you're sick of using regular condoms while having sex, but still want to be protected against sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) like HIV, the female condom might be the answer.

The female condom (also called the internal condom) is about 6.5 inches long and at each end there is a flexible ring. One end is closed and that's the ring that gets inserted into your vagina, much like you would insert a diaphragm - this ring is also removable. At the other open end, the ring stays outside the vulva at the entrance to the vagina.

What are the BENEFITS?

Female condoms actually protect you better against STDs than male condoms because they cover more of your mucous membranes.
It's made out of polyurethane, so if you have a latex allergy, this is another option for you besides polyurethane condoms. Condoms made out of polyurethane also conduct heat better.
They contain no spermicide which tend to irritate many women when they have sex.
It's 95% effective at preventing pregnancy when used correctly.
Oil-based lubricants can be used with the female condom.
It can be inserted up to 8 hours before you have sex.
Since the inner ring is removable, you can take it out and use the internal condom for anal intercourse. That's why it's considered a good option for protection against HIV and other STDs.

Want to know what the DISADVANTAGES are? Then read more

The outer ring can be seen outside the vagina, so for some women, this makes them feel self-conscious.
It can makes noises while you have sex, but using more lubricant may help this problem.
Some women find it harder to insert, use, and remove compared to male condoms.
It may be hard to find in certain countries.
It's more expensive than male condoms, costing about $10 for a 5-pack.

Fit's Tips: Just like using any form of birth control, it takes a little practice. Here's a step-by-step guide to inserting the female condom so you can become a pro.

Check out these Adriana Bertini dresses posted by Fab. They're made out of condoms to increase people's awareness about AIDS.

With all this in mind, I am curious - do you think you would ever try this form of birth control? If you have tried it, do share your thoughts about it in the comments section below.

Mirena: Birth Control For Up to 5 Years

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 17:15:00 -0700

The Mirena is a type of IUD, that is placed inside your uterus (by a doctor or nurse practitioner) to prevent pregnancy for up to 5 years. It's a T-shaped piece of plastic that emits hormones into your uterus directly, so it is considered an IUC (intrauterine contraceptive) or an IUS (intrauterine system). The hormones stay in the uterus and are not systemic, meaning they do not go to other parts of your body. This is why it won't cause significant weight gain like oral contraceptives sometimes do or increase breast tenderness. Another bonus is that the Mirena might also shorten, lighten, or even eliminate periods while you use it.

OK, but how does Mirena work? The small amounts of levonorgestrel (hormones) released by Mirena make your cervical mucus thick and tacky so sperm can't swim through it so it is difficult for them to make it to your uterus. If the sperm get in, then they can't make it to the egg to fertilize it.

Another way the Mirena, or IUDs in general, prevent pregnancy is it promote the production of white blood cells. When a foreign object is placed inside the uterus, the body creates white blood cells to defend itself. So when you have sex, if sperm do make it through your tacky mucus to your uterus, the white blood cells will attack them. Even if a sperm does fertilize the egg, the white blood cells will destroy that too.

Interested in how effective it is? To see the stats, just read more
Mirena is 99.9% effective at preventing pregnancy and like metal IUDs, it needs to be fitted and removed by a medical professional. Though once it's in place, that's it. You won't need to use any other form of birth control or even think about it.

Fit's Tips: Mirena is great if you are looking for hassle-free birth control for up to 5 years straight. Just a reminder, it DOES NOT prevent against STDs, so that's why it's great to use if you are in a long-term relationship with someone you know is disease-free.

It's also a great option if you've already had kids and aren't planning on having anymore, or if you know it's going to be many years before you want to start a family. If this interests you, ask you doctor about Mirena. Some doctors recommend against the using the IUD if you have not had children for they are more difficult to insert if you haven't had children.

Myths on the Pill Debunked

FitSugar — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 07:30:00 -0700

Do you take "the pill?" If so, you're not alone. However, despite the overwhelming number of women on the pill right now, there are still some serious myths floating around out there, giving the pill a very bad rep.

Health.com has taken note and talked to the professionals to finally debunk the most common myths on the pill:

It’s risky to stop your period: Studies show it’s safe to suppress your period using various methods: Seasonale, a pill that limits you to four periods a year; Seasonique, a similar pill that may help fight PMS; or others like Depo-Provera injections that may eliminate your period. “The hormones keep the lining of your uterus thin, so nothing builds up,” says Rebecca Gould, MD, an OB-GYN at Delaware County Memorial Hospital in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. Side effects that usually go away include breakthrough bleeding. Menstrual suppression is great for women with particularly heavy flows, painful cramps, and menstrual migraines.

Does the pill make you fat or give you cancer? To find out, read more

The Pill ups your cancer risks: Actually, the risk of endometrial and ovarian can-cers goes down the longer you’re on the Pill. After one year, endometrial-cancer risk decreases by 50 per-cent, and after just three to six months, ovarian-cancer risk decreases by 40 percent. After 10 years, the risks are 80 percent lower than normal. “The longer you keep the endometrium thin and the ovaries inactive, you are reducing the chance of the inappropriate cell divi-sion that characterizes cancer,” explains Katharine O’Connell, MD, assistant clinical professor of OB-GYN at Columbia University.
The Pill may also lower the risk of colon cancer: What about breast cancer? The research is inconclusive. A recent review of previous studies, published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings, suggests a tiny elevation in risk among current users, which disappears when you quit. (There’s no debate for women who have-or have had-breast cancer: They should steer clear because the hormones can stimulate some cancerous cells.)
The Pill makes you fat (and frigid): Wrong. Most women link the Pill to weight gain, but only breakthrough bleeding is a proven side effect. (Women often put on pounds after getting the Depo-Provera injection.) As for libido, while some studies show a decreased sex drive, others show an increase-a lower chance of pregnancy can be quite an aphrodisiac.
An IUD ruins your fertility: The Dalkon Shield, pulled from the market in the 1970s, may have contributed to infections that led to infertility. It was also linked to 17 deaths. But not the new and safe IUDs, such as ParaGard and Mirena. Plus, they’re more effective and cheaper than the Pill.

Cons? Pain during insertion (for about 3 minutes you’ll feel a sensation akin to intense menstrual cramps), and cramps and bleeding that can occur for a week afterward. Also, there’s an increased chance of infection during the first 3 weeks, usually because bacteria have been introduced during insertion; this can be easily treated with an anti-biotic, though.

The Sponge is as good as the Pill: Nope. The Sponge, which blocks the cervix and contains a spermicide, leaves much to chance. Its failure rate is 32 percent for women who have delivered a child vaginally (because the cervix is larger after childbirth); for those who haven’t, the failure rate is 16 percent. For better protection, pair it with condoms.
Long-term use of the Pill is a no-no: You may risk getting pregnant if you take a break. “This is how my brother was conceived,” Gould says. There’s no medical reason to stop. It’s possible to get pregnant right away after quitting. Half of women get pregnant within three months-a good reason not to take that break!
Pill side effects last forever: Not at all. The first three months of any new hormonal birth control method brings side effects that eventually go away, Gould says. It’s past month three, and your doctor’s telling you to “gut it out”? Time for a second opinion.
Taking the Pill past age 40 is risky: Not if you’re healthy. You can take it till menopause. But if you’re over 35 and you smoke, or have uncontrolled high blood pressure or long-term or uncontrolled diabetes, your heart disease and stroke risks are elevated, and the Pill raises them. Anyone who fits this profile is fine on a progestin-only “mini-pill” (or Depo-Provera).
It’s OK to take any medicine with the Pill: Wrong. St. John’s Wort, a popular sup-plement used for depression, cuts the Pill’s effectiveness. Researchers think the herb makes your body speed up the metabolization of the Pill, preventing the hormones from doing their job. On the flip side, the Pill may exaggerate antidepressant effects.
The Pill makes migraines worse: The Pill doesn’t aid or aggravate migraine symptoms. But birth control pills may increase stroke risk in women who suffer from migraines with aura (added symptoms like numbness, weakness, hallucinations, or blurred vision). For them, the mini-pill and other estrogen-free hormonal methods are OK.

To read the full article and other fabulous information, visit Health.com.