TresSugar

Pros and Cons of the NuvaRing

DearSugar — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 07:30:00 -0800

When it comes to preventing pregnancy, many women opt for hormonal birth control because it's easy to use and extremely effective. Aside from the pill, the NuvaRing is one of the more popular options. If you're considering switching to this form of birth control, you'll want to know the pros and cons, so read more.

Pros

Cons

When used correctly, it's 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy. That means you can be spontaneous and have sex without worrying about getting pregnant.
It's simple to use because you only have to think about it twice a month.
Most women say they can't feel it once inserted.
Since it releases a steady amount of hormones, women will notice fewer mood swings than if they were on triphasic birth control pills (where the hormone levels change every week).
If you decide you want to have children, once you stop using the NuvaRing, ovulation should return within 13 to 28 days.

It doesn't protect against STIs.
If you are uncomfortable touching yourself, you may have an issue inserting and removing the NuvaRing.
Some guys complain that they can feel it during sex.
It can slip out while straining to go to the bathroom or during sex, so you have to check it frequently to make sure it's still inside you.
If you smoke while using the NuvaRing, the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects is increased.
The risk of blood clots may be greater with the type of progestin in NuvaRing.
Combination hormonal contraceptives, like the NuvaRing, that contain both estrogen and progestin, can worsen conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and problems with cholesterol.
Hormonal contraceptives may increase your risk of stroke.

Why Does the Pill Decrease Your Sex Drive?

DearSugar — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 15:00:00 -0800

Last week I asked how you felt about taking hormonal birth control, and the majority of you responded overwhelmingly that you're all for it. Even with the annoying side effects like moodiness, breast tenderness, and occasional weight gain, you thought that the near-perfect effectiveness when it comes to pregnancy prevention was worth it.

For many women though, taking hormones to control the cycle can affect your libido. To find out why, just read more.

Many women complain of sexual side effects while on the pill. This is because the pill has the ability to decrease the frequency of some women's sexual thoughts, and the hormones can make it more difficult for her to get aroused. It can also decrease natural lubrication, so if she does have sex, it can be painful. Some studies even say that these effects can last for months after a woman stops taking the pill.

The reason this happens may have to do with the drug's effect on a woman's testosterone levels, which is thought to help drive her desire. The hormones block testosterone production in the ovaries and increase the production of the protein that attaches to testosterone to make it inactive.

This isn't always the case, and some women may actually experience an increase in sex drive. Different hormones affect each woman differently, so if one pill isn't working for you, it may take some trial and error to find one that does. Some women may also benefit from switching to a different form of hormonal birth control such as the NuvaRing or the patch. So if you're experiencing a lull in the bedroom and you suspect it's from your birth control, make an appointment with your gyno to discuss other options because hey, there's no point being on birth control if you aren't into having sex!

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Where Do You Stand? Taking Hormonal Birth Control

DearSugar — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 09:00:00 -0800

Many women use hormonal birth control such as the pill, the NuvaRing, or the patch because it's effective, it's easy, it can control or eliminate your period, and it allows you to be more spontaneous when having sex. I know some women, though, who refuse to use it because they don't like how it decreases their sex drive, makes them moody, or makes their breasts grow. Still others just don't like the idea of putting chemicals into their bodies.

So where do you stand? Are you for or against using hormonal birth control?

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Do Tell: How Does Hormonal Birth Control Affect Your Mood?

DearSugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Though I do think hormonal birth control options, like the pill and NuvaRing, are great methods of contraception, I’ll be the first to admit that the fluctuation in hormones can definitely cause feelings of irritability and depression. Of course much of it depends on the dosage, as well as how your body handles it. So ladies, do tell: Have you found yourself fighting with your moodiness after going on hormonal birth control? Or does it actually improve your moods?

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Are Occasional Breaks From the Pill a Good Idea?

DearSugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Since the pill has such a long list of benefits, it's no wonder so many of us have been on it for as long as we have. But with that said, I'm sure you've wondered if you should take a break to give your body a chance to be pill-free for a while. While it's popular to think that a break from the pill is beneficial for your body, it's actually not necessary. It's a myth that may have started a while back with older pills that contained high doses of hormones, but today's pills contain a much lower, safer amount. Some women also feel like they should stop the pill for a while to preserve their fertility, but there's no evidence that being on the pill has any effect on a woman's future ability to have a baby - it merely prevents pregnancy while a woman is on it.

There's more, so read more.

If you're contemplating taking a break only to go back on the pill shortly thereafter, you should know that professionals think it's healthier for your body to remain on the pill. The fluctuations in hormones can have a negative effect, both physically and emotionally. Plus, all the side effects you experienced when you first started the pill, which subsided after a few months, may show up again, so you'll have to deal with moodiness, depression, sore breasts, or yeast infections. The only reason a woman should take a break from her pill is if it's not agreeing with her body, or if she's trying to become pregnant.

Dear's Advice: Even though there are many health benefits associated with taking the pill, I completely understand that you may want to take a break because you don't like the idea of putting chemicals in your body. If that's the case, then you may want to consider going off the pill entirely, and ask your doctor about hormone-free choices like the diaphragm or the ParaGard.

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Health Benefits of the Pill

DearSugar — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 08:00:00 -0700

I'm sure many of you are on the pill for various different reasons, but most of you have been on it for years, so have you ever asked yourself if you were doing more harm than good? If so, and if you're concerned about the health risks of taking the pill, check out this chart below.

Health Benefits

Studies have shown that being on the pill for more than two years can decrease your risk for ovarian cancer by 70 percent, and endometrial cancer by 50 percent (great news).
The occurrence of benign ovarian tumors is also decreased.
Higher dose pills can decrease the development of ovarian cysts and fibroids.

To see the rest of this list, read more.

Health Benefits

Not only can the pill lighten your periods, but that decrease in blood loss is great for women who have issues with anemia.
If you have extremely painful or heavy periods, the pill can help alleviate these symptoms.
If you have acne, certain types of pills can help clear up your skin.
Certain pills such as Yaz can also help with PMS (goodbye crying uncontrollably and breaking up with your boyfriend every month!).
You'll be happy to hear that being on the pill for extended periods of time doesn't affect your fertility, so when you're ready to become pregnant, your body will be ready soon after you go off it.

Dear's advice: As you can see, there are numerous benefits to being on the pill. You should know that there are also health risks that go along with taking hormonal birth control. Although it's rare, the pill may cause blood clots, strokes, or heart attacks. If you're a smoker or over 35, these risks are increased. If you have a family history of any of these issues, you probably should find another form of birth control.

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What's the Deal With Depo SubQ Provera 104?

DearSugar — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:00:00 -0700

I'm sure many of you have a form of birth control that you love, and for those that swear by the Depo shot, you might be interested in learning that there's now a lower-hormone dose version called Depo SubQ Provera 104. It's still estrogen free, but instead of 400 mg of Medroxyprogesterone acetate (the hormone) per shot, it only contains 104mg (that's 31 percent less). You still need to go to your gynecologist every three months to get the shot, but it's just as effective as regular Depo-Provera. Even though it contains less hormones, it can still cause side effects such as weight gain, loss of calcium (which puts you at risk for osteoporosis), and irregular spotting. Also, a disadvantage with Depo SubQ Provera 104, just like with original Depo, is that it may take a while for you to become pregnant after discontinuing the shot (could take as much as one year or more).

This method would be great for someone looking for estrogen-free birth control, or for a woman who doesn't want to pop a pill every day. Unlike other methods of hormonal birth control, this isn't an option that's recommended for long-term use (more than two years), because of the loss of calcium it may cause. If this sounds like something you're interested in, I'd make an appointment to talk to your gyno.

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Birth Control Pills: How Do They Compare?

DearSugar — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 09:00:00 -0700

I don't know about you, but just about every woman I know has been on or is taking birth control pills. There are so many different brands out there and they all offer different amounts of hormones, so I made this handy chart to help you figure out which one may be right for you. These pills are combination pills, which means they contain a type of estrogen (ethinyl estradiol), and a type of progestin (levonorgestrel, desogestrel, norethindrone). The pills with the least amount of ethinyl estradiol tend to offer the least amount of side effects, and the ones that offer the same hormonal dosages each day (monophasic pills) will help to ease PMS symptoms (mainly mood swings). With so many different options out there, it's important to know what's actually in these pills, since every woman's body reacts differently to hormonal birth control. Check out my chart below:

Birth Control	Hormone Dosage
Alesse	.10 mg levonorgestrel and 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Brevikon	.5 mg norethindrone acetate and 35 mcg estrogen per pill
Cyclessa	Phase 1: .1 mg desogestrel and 25 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill Phase 2: .125 mg desogestrel and 25 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill Phase 3: 15 mg desogestrel and 25 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Jolessa	.15 mg levonorgestrel and 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Junel 21 Day	1.5 mg norethindrone acetate and 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Kelnor	1 mg ethynodiol diacetate and 35 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Loestrin 21	1 mg norethindrone acetate and 20 mcg estrogen per pill

Don't see yours on the list? To see the others, read more.

Birth Control	Hormone Dosage
Lybrel	.09 mg levonorgestrel and 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Nordette	.15 mg levonorgestrel and 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Orthro Tri-Cyclen	Phase 1: .18 mg norgestimate and 35 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill Phase 2: .215 mg norgestimate and 35 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill Phase 3: 25 mg norgestimate and 35 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Orthro Tri-Cyclen Lo	Phase 1: .18 mg norgestimate and 25 mcg ethinyl estradiol (type of estrogen) per pill Phase 2: .215 mg norgestimate and 25 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill Phase 3: 25 mg norgestimate and 25 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Reclipsen	.15 mg desogestrel and 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Seasonal	.15 mg levonorgestrel and 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Seasonique	.15 mg levonorgestrel and 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Solia	.15 mg desogestrel and 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Trivora-28	Phase 1: .5 mg levonorgestrel and 30 mcgethinyl estradiol per pill Phase 2: .075 mg levonorgestrel and 40 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill Phase 3: .125 mg levonorgestrel and 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Velivet	Phase 1: .1 mg desogestrel and 25 mcgethinyl estradiol per pill Phase 2: .125 mg desogrestrel and 25 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill Phase 3: .15 mg desogestrel and 24 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Yasmin	3 mg drospirenone and 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill
Yaz	3 mg drospirenone and 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol per pill

Pretty interesting information, huh? So ladies, if you're on the pill, which one works best for you?

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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!

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How Well Do You Know the NuvaRing?

DearSugar — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 07:00:00 -0700

Many women are on the pill because they love how it regulates their periods, reduces symptoms of PMS, and prevents them from becoming pregnant. What they don't love is having to remember to take their pill every single day - that's where the NuvaRing comes in! I know I've told you a lot about this form of BC over the past few months, so let's see how much you really know about the NuvaRing.

Take the quiz