TresSugar

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?

Source, Source, and Source

Favorite Birth Control Method of 2008

DearSugar — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 07:30:00 -0800

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!

What Was Your Favorite Birth Control Method of '08?

DearSugar — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 09:00:00 -0800

Over the course of the year, I've given you a plethora of information about contraception; I've even given you brush up tests! Since women have a variety of needs, you know that it can take some trial and error until you find the perfect method to fit your lifestyle, so tell me ladies, what was your favorite form of birth control in 2008?

Group Urging FDA to Pull Birth Control Patch

DearSugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:00:00 -0700

If any of you ladies use Orth-Evra (the patch), I may have some bad news for you. A US advocacy group has filed a petition urging the FDA to pull the patch from the market. Why? Studies have found that using the patch can increase a woman's chances of dangerous blood clots. These clots can trigger life-threatening heart attacks or strokes, especially if you are a smoker. Of course the risk of blood clots is common with all hormonal birth control, but clots are twice as likely to occur in women who are using the patch. This type of birth control can expose a woman to 60 percent more estrogen than birth control pills, which is pretty scary.

In its defense, the FDA feels that the risk of developing a clot is low - for every 10,000 women who use hormonal birth control for one year, three to five of them will develop a blood clot. Also, Ortho Women’s Health & Urology, the Johnson & Johnson division that makes the patch, believes that there are risks and benefits to using the patch, just like there are with other types of hormonal birth control. But it seems the risk is higher with the patch.

This makes me a little wary; how about you? If you use Ortho-Evra or are thinking about using it, talk to your gynecologist and get his or her advice. There may be a better birth control option out there for you.

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

What's the Deal With the Patch?

DearSugar — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 08:00:00 -0700

All the women I know who don't want to get pregnant are on some type of hormonal birth control, because it's an easy, reliable and an extremely effective form of birth control (besides abstaining from sex altogether of course).

The Pill is great and all, but you have to remember to take it every day. The NuvaRing is also a hormonal birth control, but I've heard a few women complain about it falling out, or that their partner could feel it which leaves us with Ortho-Evra (more commonly known as the Patch).

Just like the Pill and the NuvaRing, the hormones found in the patch prevent you from ovulation. You simply have to put on a new patch once a week, for 3 consecutive weeks each month and then go "patch-free" the fourth week when you get your fake period.

What's Great:

It's just as effective as the Pill (99%) if used correctly.
It's discreet. You can wear it on 1 of 4 areas - upper outer arm, upper torso (front and back, excluding the breasts), abdomen, or your booty.
You can bathe, shower, swim, sweat, or work out with it.

To hear some drawbacks, read more

Drawbacks:

As with all hormonal birth control, there are serious risks involved, including blood clots and stroke. Also, the risk of heart attacks is increased if you smoke cigarettes while using the Patch.
It can leave a sticky mark on your skin, like band-aids do.
You have to check it everyday to make sure it's adhered to your skin.
Sometimes it can peel or fall off. If it's been off for less than 24 hours, just reapply a new patch and you are still protected against pregnancy. If it has been more than 24 hours, you have to apply a new patch, and use a backup method of birth control (like condoms) for the next 7 days.
The Patch does NOT protect against HIV or other STIs.

Dear's Advice: The FDA has warned women that since Ortho-Evra contains more hormones than regular birth control pills, they are at a greater risk of developing blood clots and other serious side effects. For most doctors, the Patch isn't the first form of birth control they'd suggest so if you are interested, talk to your doctor about the potential risks and whether it is right for you.

Source

A Patch That Turns You On?

DearSugar — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 11:22:02 -0700

I've heard of a man being able to press a woman's buttons to turn her on, but now he may not have to. There's a new patch on the scene called the Scentuelle’s libido patch for women that's supposed to reignite your sex drive and enhance feelings of sexuality through your sense of smell.

Want to hear more about this libido-lifting patch? Then read more.

The small circular patch is worn on your wrist, and the "high-tech aromas" are specially formulated to get you in the mood! It's made of hundreds of natural and engineered scent molecules that mimic the effects of dopamine and it's effective immediately. There are no side effects, it's nonaddictive, and the scents do not enter your bloodstream. You're instructed to sniff the patch throughout your day, and it's designed to encourage sexual thoughts and feelings.

Now that I've got your attention, tell me what you think about Scentuelle? Would you ever use this patch to increase your sex drive?

Source

Introducing: The Alcotrol Patch

GiggleSugar — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 02:30:00 -0700

You know it's just a matter of time before this patch comes out. The only problem is, it doesn't make sense. It simply saves you the extra-and fun, I might add-part of drinking to intoxication. I was iffy on showing you this video until the end, when a screaming guy with way too many of these patches on exhibits one of Alcotrol's less desirable side effects. Who knew screaming men were so funny?

Sour Patch Candy: Be Afraid. Be Very Afraid.

GiggleSugar — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 12:15:00 -0800

This commercial featuring an animated, bi-polar Sour Patch candy acting out isn't exactly making me rush to 7-11. Is there a slasher film on the way?

A Horse Is A Horse, Of Course, Of Course...

GiggleSugar — Thu, 03 May 2007 07:00:00 -0700

Unless that horse is Patches, a horse that has mistaken himself for a human. From cruising in the car to passing 'round the beer during a night on the couch, Patches is way above mere horseplay. He says neigh to hay, cuz the drive-thru is more his style. (Bonus: he answers the phone.) Hey Wilbur: Mister Ed better step up--Patches is on his tail!