No Birth Control

Birth Control Needs, Methods and Information Available For Today's Women

2013-04-19T01:38:00.000-07:00

With the rapid growth of the population in the world as well as the increased sense in general awareness for HIV/AIDS, has forced to think on birth control methods. The current world's population is estimated to be around 6.4 billion with annual growth of 76 million and hence, it is estimated to reach 9 billion by year 2050. In next two decades, world's two highly populous countries, China & India are expected to reach the population of 1.5 billion each i.e more than one third of the total world population of that time. It is alarming situation for the world to control this "population explosion". Therefore, United Nations are urging countries specially highly populated countries to control their population.
As per the survey report for birth control methods if applied in 169 countries, 137 million women willing to delay their contraceptives, 64 million women are using less effective birth control measures. If these women are helped with adequate birth control treatment (like pills, condoms), 23 million of unplanned births, 22 million induced abortions and 1.4 million infants could be avoided as estimated by United Nations Population Fund.
Besides population, HIV/AIDS is also very important factor forcing the need for birth control. An estimated, world has 38 million people have either AIDS or infected with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). In seven African countries, one out of 5 adults is infected with HIV. Birth control methods are, therefore, become imperative to control further spread of HIV/AIDS, particularly in these countries. The population in these countries is projected at 35% lower by 2025 free from HIV/AIDS. It will further reduce the total life expectancy by an average of 29 years in these countries.
History of Birth Control
200 AD, Greek gynecologist Soranus said that women become fertile during ovulation. He suggested some birth control tips for women to avoid unwanted pregnancy like smearing olive oil, pomegranate pulp, ginger, or tobacco juice around vagina to kill sperm, drinking water used by blacksmith to cool hot metals and jumping 7 times backward after the sexual intercourse. Many birth control methods like ayurvedic treatments used centuries ago (aside from sexual abstinence). However, there are some historical records of Egyptian women are found who were using some herbal or acid substances like crocodile dung or lubricants like honey or household olive oil as vaginal suppository, which they may have found effective at killing sperm.
However, commercial use of birth control method started in 1960 in the form of birth control pill. It was in 1950, when Planned Parenthood Federation of America invited biologist Dr. Gregory Pincus to develop oral contraceptive pill that would be harmless, universally acceptable and safe for husband and wife. After under going many tests with more than 6,000 women in Puerto Rico and Haiti , it was 1960 when the first commercially produced birth control pill called Enovid-10 was introduced to women in USA . This first oral contraceptive was made with two hormones Estrogen (100 to 175 microgram) and Progestin (10 mg). They were proved to be 99% effective if taken as directed. With estimation, more than 18 million women in US are relying on birth control pills
Types of birth control pills
Unlike the decades old oral contraceptive pills (which had higher number of hormones), today's birth control pills are in low-dose forms with health benefits. So, women can take birth control pills with much fewer health risks.
Generally there are three types of birth control pills available
1. Progestin only pills (POP)
It is also known as "mini-pill" containing no estrogen. It is recommended for breastfeeding women because estrogen reduced milk production. This POP pill works by thickening the cervical mucus and thus preventing sperm to enter uterus
2. Combination birth control pills
The widely known birth control pills are having combination of two hormones progestin and estrogen. These types of oral contraceptive pills come with the pack of 21 "active pills" and 7 "placebos" , which do not contain any hormones. These are, in fact, known as "reminder pills"
These combination pills are further sub-divided into three types of pills due to the level of two hormones progestin and estrogen.
i) Monophasic birth control pills
Here, every active pill contains the equal number of progestin and estrogen. The other seven pills are placebo having no hormones. Menstruation starts when these placebo pills are taken
ii) Multiphasic birth control pills
They are also known as biphasic or trphasic oral contraceptive pills due to different levels of hormones in active pills. These pills are required to be taken at specific time in its entire pills schedule. Multiphasic birth control pills help offsetting the risks of oral contraceptives.
iii) Continuous birth control pills
it is also known as 365 days pills to be taken continuously throughout the year without the year. This is the new entry of oral contraceptive pills in the birth control market. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Lybrel, which is the only continuous birth control pill approved so far and available for general women use. Women do not get menstrual period while they are under the treatment of Lybrel, however, they might find some breakthrough bleeding or spotting, particularly at the initial stage.
3) Emergency birth control pills
Also known as "morning after pills", these are designed for immediate pregnancy protection after the unprotected sex. It is highly recommended to take emergency pills within 48 hours and maximum 72 hours to be effective in avoiding pregnancy. These are different than usual oral contraceptive pills where you plan your birth control much in advance. Emergency pills are also taken when the women are sexually assaulted. FDA has approved Plan B as the safest emergency pills. Due to OTC (over the counter) approval by FDA for women above 18 years, Plan B can now be ordered behind pharmacy counter.

Birth Control FAQs

2013-04-10T23:35:00.000-07:00

Any method used to prevent pregnancy is known as birth control. Barrier and non-barrier methods are the two types of birth control used.

How do I know what method is right for me?

The birth control method you choose should take into account your overall health, the number of sexual partners, whether you want to have children, how effective each method is in preventing pregnancy, potential side effects, and your comfort level with using the method. It is recommended that you use a condom or some other form of birth control to get added protection against unplanned pregnancies and unwanted sexually transmitted diseases.

How effective are birth control methods?

Sterilization is the most effective method. Abstinence is the only 100% method of effective birth control. Birth control pills are more than 99% effective. Male condoms are 98% effective, while female condoms are 95% successful. These effective rates are applicable only when each method is used properly.

How can I get birth control?

You can normally get birth control devices from family planning clinics, health centers, and hospitals. Birth control pills cost $10to $20 per cycle. Condoms cost $0.50 to $2.00 per condom and are available in pharmacy stores. Sterilization occurs only with the help of surgery. It is the permanent protection against pregnancy, and it costs between $350 and $2,500.

Do I need a prescription to get birth control? How can I get a prescription?

To get some form of birth control, a prescription is needed. The pill, the shot, and the patch need a prescription from a medical practitioner. To get a prescription, a woman must have a pelvic exam. The pelvic exam ensures that her body is healthy and can accept the birth control method. Other birth control methods such as male and female condoms, sponges, and spermicides need no prescription and are available at drugstores.

Do I need to use protection during oral sex?

Yes, sexually transmitted diseases may be transmitted though oral sex. This does not mean that you cannot enjoy oral sex. You can use a latex barrier for avoiding most sexually transmitted diseases.

What is a male condom and how effective is it?

The male condom is a thin piece of material that a man wears over his penis during any type of sexual relations in order to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Condoms are made of latex, polyurethane, or natural skin. If used correctly, condoms are 98% effective.

What is a birth control pill and how does it work?

Birth control pills contain hormones that stop releasing the egg. They also thicken the mucus on the cervix and make it difficult for the sperm to enter the egg.

Best Birth Control For Acne - Is There Such A Thing?

2013-04-07T18:54:00.000-07:00

How Birth Control Works
Birth control is used to treat acne nowadays because of its ability to change hormone levels in a person's body. Few people are aware that women, like men, have the male hormone testosterone inside their bodies. Now, testosterone has been identified as one of the causes for acne growth because increased levels of it cause a proportional increase of sebaceous glands and lead to excessive oil production.
When a woman takes birth control pills, they are able to stop her ovaries from producing more testosterone. Birth control pills contain progestin and estrogen - both female hormones - and these promote menstruation cycles to regulate and continue while balancing the levels of male and female hormones in the body. Although prevention of conception is the main purpose of birth control pills, they do have the power to reduce acne growth as well.
Potential Advantages of Using Birth Control for Acne
Convenience. With birth control doubling for acne prevention, you will only have to take one medicine for dual purposes. This is certainly easy to remember and beneficial to people with hectic lifestyles.
Affordability. Again, you get two for the price of one. Compared to the expensive costs of other acne treatments like light therapy and laser surgery, birth control as a possible acne cure certainly sounds inviting.
Potential Disadvantages of Using Birth Control for Acne
Most of the disadvantages cited by experts for using birth control to treat acne are directly concerned with the use of birth control and not its effectiveness or safety as a possible treatment for acne.
Worse Acne Problems. Until estrogen levels in your body normalize or become ideal, it is possible that you will have to suffer from worsening acne problems. You will have to wait for your birth control pills to take effect completely before you can enjoy flawless healthy skin.
Increased Risk of Cancer. People who smoke and take birth control pills for whatever reason should be aware that their decision increases their risk of having cancer in the future. This is due to the substances contained in birth control pills. If you are a frequent smoker, you might do well with a different acne treatment instead of using birth control pills.
Age. Minors and relatively young people are discouraged from using birth control pills as an acne treatment because doing so could lead to acne yeast infection. When this occurs, you will find it harder to cure than normal acne problems. If your child is suffering from serious acne problems, you would do better to advise your child to take other acne treatments.
Side Effects. Birth control pills are not without their share of side effects regardless of your health condition. When taking birth control pills, you could suffer from fatigue, abdominal pain and headaches. This can be quite a bother if you are leading a very active lifestyle.
Possible Medical Complications. Be careful when choosing which medication to use for both birth control and acne prevention. A teenage girl was reported dead due to blood clotting caused by a certain brand of contraceptives. The girl had used it for birth control and acne control. If you are determined to use birth control for acne, make sure you are using the right one.
Also, birth control can have dangerous chemical reactions when mixed in with other medications. If you are currently medicated, please do inform your doctor about your decision before proceeding any further.
Other serious side effects that may be experienced when taking birth control are increased heart risks, depression, melasma or having uneven coloring due to skin patches, problems with fluid retention, and vaginal bleeding.
In the end, using birth control for acne is not worth the risk if you do not take professional advice. A potentially wrong choice would not only damage your skin permanently but affect your chances of giving birth in the future. If you want to solve your acne problems with birth control, do so with the aid of your physician or dermatologist.

Natural Birth Control

2013-04-02T01:33:00.000-07:00

Natural birth control is one of the most widely used methods of fertility regulation. Some religions and cultural beliefs do not permit artificial birth control devices or drugs. The natural birth control method is more acceptable to these people. This method includes a periodic abstinence, with couples avoiding sexual intercourse during the woman's fertile period.
The rhythm method or calendar method, standard days method, sympto-thermal method, and withdrawal method are some of the natural birth control methods.
In the rhythm method, sexual intercourse takes place based on three assumptions. The first is that ovulation occurs fourteen days before the beginning of menstruation. This method also relies upon the fact that the sperm will remain viable for three days and that the ovum survives for twenty-four hours. With these theories in mind, women can decide on the days of abstinence. The standard day method replaced the rhythm method over a period of time. In the standard day method, the first day of a period is considered as day one. Women can have unprotected sex from day one to day seven. From days eight to nineteen, they should avoid sex. From day twenty to the next period, they can again have unprotected intercourse.
Withdrawal is a method of natural birth control in which the man withdraws his penis from the woman's vagina before ejaculation. This method does not always work because the man must have enough control to withdraw in time. The Sympto-thermal method is also an effective natural birth control method. Women using this method should keep track of their cervical mucus signs, their waking or basal body temperatures, and their menstrual cycle histories. In this method, the mucus detected date is noted first. The end of the fertile period is determined based on the basal body temperature. Intercourse can be resumed as the temperature rises. The temperature begins to rise one to two days after ovulation and corresponds to the rising level of progesterone.
Natural birth control methods allow a woman to have an understanding of her body. These methods have no side effects. Natural birth control methods do not require the use of drugs or chemicals. Compared with other birth control methods, a natural birth control method is inexpensive. Such methods can also be used to achieve pregnancy. Natural birth control methods require discipline and systematic charting. This is most suitable for women with regular and predictable menstrual cycles.

Birth Control Tips While You Plan Your Travel

2013-04-01T09:37:00.000-07:00

Traveling always force women to think about their monthly menstrual cycle. It sometimes becomes very difficult and frustrating if you know that your periods are coming close to your traveling dates and you can not change or postpone your travel dates. Due to long hours of journey, hectic traveling schedule and limited time at the disposal could cause exhaustion, frustration, which may cause menstrual period to come early or even occur irregular bleeding.
What you will do then?
Well, you do not need to panic as you have solution in the form of birth control pills, condoms and other birth control products, which will help you to enjoy your vacation or travel. First, you will need to know when your "days" are coming in. If you do not wish to have period, you can avoid it by continuing the birth control pills once you have consulted with your doctor.
If you plan for long vacation (more than two weeks), you will need to take personal hygiene products, specially birth control pills, condoms, spermicidal creams, sponges, patch etc., which may not be easily available at all places whenever you need them in short period of time. If you encounter with unprotected sex, you will need emergency contraceptive pill like Plan B ready with you to avoid unwanted pregnancy, but Plan B might not easily available in the area where you stay.
Following list of birth control products you may consider taking with you always whenever you travel or go for vacation.
1. Emergency contraception
As said earlier, this is very important to have emergency contraception with you if you are sexually active during your travel or you are going out with your new partner on travel. Emergency contraception like Plan B, will protect you immediately against unwanted pregnancy. It will also help you when your contraception plans have failed. Please remember that emergency contraceptive pills like Plan B, may not be available everywhere and it has to be taken immediately as soon as unprotected sex has occurred or contraceptive measures have failed. It must be included in your birth control plans and specially, when you are traveling.
2. Condoms
Condoms are the most convenient way of birth control method. Perhaps, this is the only method which can protect against STDs/HIV to the greater extent. Please insist your partner to use condoms no matter how intimate relationship you are having. Condoms will also help you to protect you and your partner from urinal and vaginal infections, which might occur during intercourse. It is very necessary to be adamant in the beginning than regretting for this "irreversible" mistake later in the life. Condoms are cheap and easily available but if you use any particular brand then it is advisable that you must include them.
3. Birth control patch
Some women prefer to use birth control patches like Ortho Evra. If you are using patch, please remember the due date for the change. If it is coming near to your travel dates, you can have additional patches in stock. It might be possible that you don't find them near you will be residing. You must also need to take care of birth control patch and ensure that it is properly stick to the skin as prescribed, specially when you are going out for sight-seeing, swimming, bathing, doing exercise etc.
It also implies to birth control ring, like NuvaRing, if that's your birth control choice. Such birth control methods may not be easily available everywhere.
4. Birth control injection like Depo Provera
If you are using contraceptive injection then you must check the due date for next shot. Depo Provera shots are usually taken every 11-13 weeks. It is generally prescribed for 12 weeks maximum. If your travel dates coincide with your next due shot date, please consult your doctor or medical practitioner and get your shot immediately. Pfizer, the manufacturer of Depo Provera do not recommend to wait longer than one week than your due shot. It would be fine if you could take your next shot one week earlier than due date if you going on travel or may take one week later maximum than due date. In case of failure of shots, you will need to take help of other birth control methods like contraceptive pills, condoms, patches, spermicides etc
5. Barrier birth control methods
Some of the barrier birth control methods like diaphragm, cervical cap and contraceptive sponges are also recommended to be included in your travel list, in case if you are more comfortable using them. According to your traveling plans, you can keep enough stock of spermicidal creams, jellies, diaphragm, sponges etc. It might be possible that your choice of barrier birth control method could not be available where you will reside. If you are planning to visit foreign countries then you may need to take good stock of them as barrier form of birth control might not be so popular and available there.
6. Additional birth control tips on travel
Besides taking birth control pills, patches and other barrier birth control methods with you while traveling, you may also need to take precautions like
- if you are going for long hours travel journey and have been taking contraceptive pills or dependent upon hormonal contraception methods, you may be at high risk of contraception failure. Do not remain in sitting position for long, keep moving around and stand if possible, stretch your legs and keep changing your position many times.
- Drink enough water rather than coffee, soda or soft drinks
- Do not go for physical relationship without discussing before contraception, STDs etc. Insist your partner to use condom as unprotected sex may not only increase your chances of becoming pregnancy, it may also put your life in danger by getting infected from life-threatening STDs or even HIV viruses.
- Keep the contraceptive pills, condoms and other products in cool and dry place. Do not expose them in heat, bright sunlight or air for longer time. Some people of the habit of keeping condoms in the pocket or wallet in the back-pocket. Do no keep the condom so unless you are going to use it shortly.
- Surveys have revealed that 20% birth control pills users have found to be irregular in taking pills while they are on travel and 25% of them reported to have negative impact on their health and even got pregnant afterwards. So, if you are regular contraceptive pill user then please continue to take on time as you have been. It will not only protect you from unwanted pregnancy but also make you confident and make your vacation or travel happy and memorable.
The above article is for general information on birth control measures you can take while on travel and should not be taken as medical advice. If it is so, please consult your doctor or healthcare provider for treatment purpose.
You may also visit at birth control to know more about the general information on emergency contraception and other birth control methods. The above article is for general information on birth control and should not be taken as medical advice. If it is so, please consult your doctor or healthcare professional for treatment purpose.

Linda Crowford is an author for many successful articles and ebooks written on women's health, birth control, pregnancy issues and human relationship specially romance, dating, marriage divorce. She is also associated with birth control pills. She gives helpful advices to her clients on birth control and oral contraceptive methods.