TresSugar

Do You Use New Generation Birth Control?

TresSugar — Tue, 12 May 2009 10:00:00 PDT

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 story of 32-year-old mother of two, Jackie Bozicev. In 2007, while using the NuvaRing, a blood clot that migrated from her pelvic area to her lungs caused her to drop dead in front of her two-year-old son. Her husband is now suing the drug company Organon, claiming that it never studied how the NuvaRing's new route for hormone delivery may be more dangerous than taking pills. Because the NuvaRing's dose goes directly into the blood stream (pills lose up to half of the hormones in the digestive tract), it could be as much as two-times more likely to cause blood clots.

Even if the risk of fatality with the ring is higher than the pill, it's still relatively low. Stories like Jackie's, however, demonstrate that there is more to learn about new forms of birth control.

Would you wait for more time to pass before using a newer and more convenient form of birth control, or have you broken free from the pack?

Pros and Cons of the NuvaRing

DearSugar — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 07:30:00 PST

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

NuvaTime Reminds You When to Change Your NuvaRing!

DearSugar — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 06:00:00 PST

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 about altogether.

So if you're forgetful by nature, you're in luck! NuvaRing now offers a downloadable timer you can install on your computer called NuvaTime. Just fill out the form, click Mac or PC, set the time, and you're done! It'll go off when you need to remove your NuvaRing, and it'll go off again when it's time to insert a new one a week later. Pretty genius if you ask me!

Where Do You Stand? Taking Hormonal Birth Control

DearSugar — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 09:00:00 PST

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?

Source, Source, and Source

Favorite Birth Control Method of 2008

DearSugar — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 07:30:00 PST

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!

NuvaRing and Blood Clots - How Likely Are They?

DearSugar — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 07:30:00 PST

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. You should know that with the use of all hormonal birth control, there's the possibility of some serious side effects; one of them being blood clots which can lead to a fatal stroke or heart attack. This is a huge concern for women who have a history of blood clots or cardiovascular disease. With the NuvaRing, the risk may be greater because of the type of progestin hormone used in the Ring. It's different than the type used in other low-dose forms of birth control, such as the pill. This doesn't necessarily mean that you'll get blood clots from using the NuvaRing - it all depends on your body and how it reacts to certain types of hormones. Your risk for these serious side effects may be increased if you smoke cigarettes, are over 35, or have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes. If you're a faithful NuvaRing user or know someone that is, I'd set your mind at ease by speaking with your doctor - he or she will be able to determine if the NuvaRing is a healthy option for you, or if you should switch to another form of birth control.

Do Tell: How Do You Keep Track of Your Period?

DearSugar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 07:00:00 PDT

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 their NuvaRing). Of course PMS and the responses our bodies give us are a great indication (did someone say sore boobs?), but how do you keep track of your cycle? Is it something you monitor religiously, or something you do every once in a while when you remember?

Source

How Well Do You Know the NuvaRing?

DearSugar — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 07:00:00 PDT

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

True Confession - I Want to Get Pregnant!

DearSugar — Wed, 28 May 2008 07:00:00 PDT

Weigh in and tell us if you forgive or not forgive this True Confession.

"I want another baby so badly, but my hubby won't budge. I want to pull an "oopsey" and forget to put in my NuvaRing this month but if I get pregnant that way, can I be forgiven?"

Source

What's the Right Birth Control For You? Part One

DearSugar — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 08:00:05 PDT

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 method.

Want to see part one? Then

Method	Pros	Cons
Birth control pills	You only have to think about them once a day, and they monitor your period so you either always know when you're getting it or you can choose not to get it at all. They're 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy.	Some people don't like the idea of taking hormones because of the possible side effects like blood clots and stroke. They may also decrease your sex drive, make you moody, or cause weight gain. Plus the pill does not protect you against STIs.
Male condoms	They're cheap ($5 for a 12 pack), you can buy them at most drugstores, they're easy to use, and they can protect you against STIs. They're also easily reversible, meaning that you can try getting pregnant as soon as you stop using them. All this and they're 98 percent effective at preventing pregnancy.	You have to stop what you're doing to put one on, which interrupts the flow of intimacy and can be a real turn off for some people.
Female condoms	They can protect against STIs better than male condoms since they cover your entire mucous membrane. They're made with polyurethane so they're great for people with latex allergies. You can also insert one up to eight hours before intercourse, so you don't have to interrupt intimacy by putting one on.	They're more expensive than male condoms ($10 for a 5 pack), and many women complain that they're harder to use and can be noisy.
The NuvaRing	You only have to think about it once a month. It's monophasic, meaning it delivers a steady amount of hormone consistently, which is great if other forms of hormonal birth control tend to make you moody. Plus it's 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy.	It doesn't protect against STIs, and some men complain that they can feel it when they have sex with a woman. It's also been known to fall out.

These are just some of the methods that are available to women. Tune in tomorrow for part two!