I came across an eye-opening article recently about "third-generation" birth control, which includes products like the NuvaRing (approved by the FDA in 2001) and the birth control patch. According to the piece, new forms of birth control most likely come with a higher risk of blood clots and strokes, risks that the FDA has somehow not given much weight to. The Mother Jones article told the scary Read more

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 Read more

When it comes to using hormonal birth control, the NuvaRing is one of the easiest. Since you keep the two-inch flexible ring inside you for three weeks at a time, you only have to think about it twice a month — when you insert it and when you remove it, in order to get your period. But since it's not something you have to bother with every day like you do the pill, it can be easy to forget Read more

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 Read more

You all voted on your favorite birth control method of '08 and I wasn't surprised to see that the the pill won with 43 percent of your votes. It seems as though most of us have a love/hate relationship with contraception, but I'm glad to see that those of you who are sexually active have found the right method for you! Read more

I've been receiving shocking emails lately, forwarded from friends about the NuvaRing causing ER visits and deaths due to blood clots. I'm not sure if you've heard any of this, but I thought it'd be a good idea to do a little research and set the record straight. To find out if you should stop using the NuvaRing, read more Read more

I'm sure many of you are so in tune with your bodies that you know exactly when Aunt Flo is going to pay you a visit. Some women count days and keep track of their periods on their calendar, some women record the details of their cycles on a fertility awareness chart, and others just know based on their birth control (how many pills they have left in their pack or how long they've been wearing Read more

There's been a lot of news about STIs lately. We all know it's important to protect yourself against disease, but it's also important to protect yourself against pregnancy if having a baby isn't part of your immediate plan. Maybe you already have a method that works for you, but in case you're unhappy and want to explore other options, I've put together a three-part series on finding the right Read more