TresSugar

Hump Day: I Don't Like Hormonal Birth Control, So Now What?

TresSugar — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Welcome to Hump Day,TrèsSugar's sex advice column. Are you confused about sex? Do you have trouble having an orgasm? Is there something you'd like to try but you're worried it's too weird? Send your questions to TrèsSugar, and our friend Dr. Charlie Glickman from Good Vibrations will offer his sound advice!

Today's Question:

“I went to my OBGYN to ask about non-hormonal birth control. (The Pill basically ruined my sex drive.) She pushed the Pill and the Nuva Ring, and said that condoms have a 15 percent failure rate. I don’t like that she was pushing hormonal birth control. Is it possible for hormonal birth control to lower your desire, and if I don’t want to use it, what’s my best, and safest, bet?”

To hear Dr. Glickman's advice, read more

Unfortunately, yes, birth control pills can lower libido. There are at least a couple of reasons for that. First, the Pill inhibits the production of androgens by your ovaries, including testosterone. While ovaries don’t produce as much testosterone as testicles do, it’s still an important part of women’s sexual arousal. The Pill also seems to increase the production of sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG). SHBG binds to testosterone, which further reduces the amount of it that you have available. On top of that, an article published in the 2006 Journal of Sexual Medicine found that some of these changes may last for quite a while after you stop taking the Pill. Some women report that the NuvaRing has similar effects, although others don’t have any change in their libidos and others actually have an increase in sex drive.

15 percent is a bit higher than many estimates for condom failure rates, but part of why it’s hard to pin down more precisely is that many of the reasons for condoms not working is user error. Here are some tips on reducing the odds of that happening. And since each brand of condom is a bit different, this page has lots of advice for finding the right one for you.

Even though condoms aren’t 100 percent effective at preventing pregnancy, they go a long way towards lowering your risk for sexually transmitted infections. But if your focus is on contraception rather than STI prevention, there are some other options. Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are a lot more effective and safer than is popularly believed. They are currently available with or without hormones, although it’s worth noting that the level of hormones that end up in your system is a lot lower than what you get from the Pill and the non-hormonal IUDs can cause heavier menstrual bleeding or cramps.

Unfortunately, most of the more effective forms of contraception either include some form of hormones or are irreversible. The only other way to avoid pregnancy is to keep sperm from coming into contact with the ovum. Obviously, condoms do that, but if you want other options, you might want to check out cervical caps which have about a 10 percent failure rate if you’ve never given birth vaginally and a 25 percent failure rate if you have. (You can reduce that with a spermicide.) You could also check out the vaginal contraceptive film, a strip of spermicide that you insert into the vagina where it melts and provides up to three hours of protection. It also turns out that withdrawal is more effective than was previously thought, with an 18 percent pregnancy rate. Since these other approaches are clearly less effective than implants, the Pill or other hormonal methods, a lot of people use more than one. Condoms plus cervical caps or condoms plus withdrawal improves your odds a lot.

I’d really like to see some other forms of birth control that don’t mess with women’s hormones; so many women report having all sorts of side effects. There are some gel products being developed that will (hopefully) be effective as both contraception and STI preventatives and at least some of them are working their way through clinical trials. So eventually, there will be something better for you but in the meantime, I hope this helps.

You, Me, and IUCs: It's Quiz Time!

DearSugar — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:00:00 -0700

A little while back, I told you about IUCs, which are a kind of long-term birth control that are becoming really popular since many women don't want to have to remember to take their pill every day or interrupt lovemaking to slip on a condom. IUCs allow for spontaneous intimacy and are over 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy. There's a lot more to know, so let's see what you remember!

Source

Take the quiz

The Connection Between IUDs and Cancer

DearSugar — Thu, 08 May 2008 08:00:00 -0700

As far as long-term birth control goes, IUDs aren't too popular in the US - only 2 percent of women who use contraception have one. With that said, I guess many people don't know about all the benefits of an IUD! Once it's inserted into your uterus, it offers protection from unplanned pregnancies for up to five years. That means they're a great choice for women who know that it'll be a while until they're ready to start a family, or if they've already had children and aren't planning on having anymore. Plus IUDs are 99.9 percent effective.

Here's some more great news. Using an IUD may also help protect women from endometrial cancer, a type of cancer that affects the lining of the uterus. It can reduce a woman's risk by 40 percent, which is similar to the cancer-preventing qualities of oral contraceptives.

Dear's Advice: If you're interested in using an IUD, talk to your gynecologist. You should know that some women experience irregular bleeding or pain. Also, IUDs don't protect against STIs, so they're only a good option for women who are in a monogomous relationship with someone they know is disease free.

Source

IUD Check: Can You Spot the Myths From the Facts?

TresSugar — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 09:00:00 -0700

IUDs (intrauterine devices) are the forgotten form of birth control in America. Yet in other developed countries, the tiny, T-shaped device, which gets implanted in the uterus, is one of the most popular methods of birth control. What happened? One heavily marketed brand gave IUDs a bad rap in the '70s, and American marketers and doctors have shied away from it since. In fact, many doctors go through medical school without ever learning how to insert one. No wonder they don't recommend it!

This week a Slate article called it the "best birth control," so maybe it's time to see what we know - and don't - about this sperm-stopping piece of plastic.

Take the quiz

Prevent Pregnancy For Five Years With Mirena

DearSugar — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 08:00:00 -0700

The Mirena is a type of IUD (intrauterine device) that is placed inside your uterus (by a doctor or nurse practitioner) to prevent pregnancy for up to five years. It's a T-shaped piece of plastic that emits hormones into your uterus directly. 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 altogether while you use it.

OK, but how does Mirena work? The small amounts of levonorgestrel released by Mirena make your cervical mucus thick and tacky so sperm can't swim through it. If the sperm gets 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 promotes the production of white blood cells and when a foreign object is placed inside the uterus, your body creates these white blood cells to defend itself. So when you have sex, if sperm does make it through your tacky mucus to your uterus, the white blood cells will attack them.

Interested in how effective it is? To see the stats, just read more
Mirena is 99.9 percent effective at preventing pregnancy and like metal IUDs, it needs to be fitted and removed by a medical professional, but once it's in place, that's it, you're done, no fuss, no muss!

Dear's Advice: Mirena is great if you are looking for hassle-free birth control for up to five years straight. Just a reminder, it does not prevent against STIs, 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 your doctor about Mirena.

You, Me, and IUCs: ParaGard

DearSugar — Wed, 28 May 2008 10:00:00 -0700

If you're looking for a new method of birth control, have you ever thought about an IUC, or intrauterine contraceptive (previously called an IUD)?

There are two brands of IUCs available in the US: ParaGard and Mirena, but let's discuss ParaGard first. It's made out of plastic but has copper wire wrapped around it. That copper is toxic to sperm and once inserted, it makes the uterus and fallopian tubes produce fluid, which kills the sperm. But just like all kinds of birth control, there are good and bad things about using ParaGard. Want to know what they are? Then read more.

Pros

Cons

It is 99.4 percent effective at preventing pregnancy and works for up to 10 years. Once inserted, it's effective immediately.
It allows you to be spontaneous when it comes to intimacy.
You hardly have to think about it, though once a month between periods, you should check to see that it's in place (ask your doctor how).
Most women experience lighter periods or no periods at all (that's a plus!).
It's quickly reversible so you can start trying to have kids immediately.
It doesn't affect women's hormone levels.

Spotting between periods is common, and some women may experience heavier periods, which can lead to anemia.
It's rare but possible that after it's inserted, you can develop an infection that, if left untreated, could affect your future fertility. PID can also develop.
An IUC can slip out of the uterus leaving you unprotected against pregnancy. This usually happens to women who have never had a baby.
Another rare possibility is that the IUC can become embedded or pushed through the wall of your uterus. (Yikes!) You may need surgery to remove it.
It doesn't protect against STIs.

So ladies, do you use or have you ever used ParaGard? If so, please share your experiences in the comment section below, and stay tuned to learn about Mirena, the other kind of IUC.

Source

Dear Poll: Have You Ever Had an Unexpected Pregnancy?

DearSugar — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:00:00 -0800

When we become sexually active, we do everything we can to prevent ourselves from becoming pregnant. We pop pills, get shots, implants, and IUDs, wear condoms, patches, and diaphragms, all for the one, huge purpose of not getting pregnant.

I'm sure all of you have had scares before, where the condom broke, you missed a pill, or your period was late, but what I want to know is, have you ever experienced an unplanned pregnancy?

Source

Dear Poll: Do You Feel Relieved When Your Period Comes?

DearSugar — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:00:00 -0700

Assuming you aren't ready to have kids, you're most likely using some sort of birth control. But since condoms are only 85 percent effective, and IUCs and the pill are 99 percent effective, there is that small chance you could still get pregnant. So with that said, waiting for your period to come can be a nerve-wracking event. And even though getting your period and suffering through everything that comes with it isn't fun, when I'm sexually active, I'm almost elated when it comes! Are you ladies with me in this one? Do you get that relieved, excited feeling when your monthly friend comes even though you're using protection?

Source

You, Me, and IUCs: Mirena

DearSugar — Thu, 29 May 2008 07:00:00 -0700

So yesterday I told you about one type of IUC, called Paragard, which is made of plastic and copper. Well Mirena is another type, also made out of plastic, but this one contains hormones, just like the Pill.

If you're interested in using birth control that you don't have to think about, Mirena may be right for you, but check out the pros and cons before you make any decisions.

Pros	Cons
It is 99.9 percent effective at preventing pregnancy and works for up to five years. Once inserted into your uterus, it's effective immediately.	Many women complain that getting Mirena inserted is extremely painful.

Want to see the rest? Then read more.

Pros

Cons

It's FDA-approved.
Mirena contains less hormone dosage than the pill.
You'll have lighter, shorter periods, or you may stop having your period altogether.
Intimacy will be more spontaneous since you won't have to stop to slip on a condom or remember to take a pill everyday.
It's quickly reversible, so once it's removed, you can start trying to have kids immediately.

Side effects include cramping, acne, back pain, breast tenderness, headaches, nausea, and mood changes, but these usually go away after three months.
You may experience heavier periods in the first three to six months, or spotting between periods.
Twelve percent of Mirena users experience ovarian cysts.
Mirena can slip out of the uterus leaving you unprotected against pregnancy.
It doesn't protect against STIs.

Have any of you ladies ever used Mirena? If so, tell us about it below.

Source

Next Up For Male Contraception: Reversible Hormone Injections

TresSugar — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:00:00 -0700

When it comes to birth control options, women have the pill, the patch, the ring, the diaphragm, IUDs . . . the list goes on and on. Men have the condom. Scientist are working on more convenient ways for men to take charge of birth control, and now couples in Europe are being recruited to test a new form of male contraception: reversible hormone injections.

Men would get the injections every two months, causing their sperm count to drop to levels that make conception nearly impossible. The effects would be fully reversible.

Do you think men will get on board with this? Would you still use contraception yourself, even if your partner received these injections?