TresSugar

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?

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?

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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!

Source

Take the quiz

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

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.

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

DearSugar — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 08:00:00 -0700

If you're sexually active, choosing the right method to prevent pregnancy and protect you from STIs can be a tough decision. I've already told you about some popular methods of birth control, but here are some other options you may want to consider.

To see them read more.

Method	Pros	Cons
The Patch	You only have to think about it once a week and it's discreet (you wear it on your upper arm, upper torso, belly, or bum). You can bathe, shower, work out, or swim with it, and it's 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy.	Some women don't like taking hormones since there are serious risks involved such as blood clots and stroke. It may leave a sticky mark on your skin, and you have to check it every day because some women complain that it peels or falls off.
IUCs (previously called IUDs)	It's inserted in your uterus, so it can't be felt during sex. Also, it can be left inside you for up to five or 10 years (depending on the kind you get), so it's great if you know it'll be a while until you're ready to start a family or if you've already had children and aren't planning on having anymore. You can get IUCs that are with or without hormones and it's 99.4 percent effective at preventing pregnancy.	It has to be inserted by your gynecologist, which some women say can be very painful. After it's inserted, you may experience irregular bleeding and cramps.
Diaphragms	Once you get fitted, if you take care of it properly, your diaphragm should last one to two years. It doesn't change your menstrual cycle or affect your future fertility. It usually can't be felt during intercourse, and it can be kept inside you for up to 24 hours.	It's only 84 percent effective at preventing pregnancy and it doesn't protect you against STIs and using one may cause a urinary tract infection. You also have to use spermicide with it, which some women find irritating to their lady business. It may become dislodged while you're having sex, which would make it even less effective at preventing pregnancy. If your weight fluctuates by 10 pounds, you'll need to be refitted for a new size. Also, if you have a latex allergy, this method isn't for you.
Cervical Caps	Once your gynecologist fits you for one, you can keep it for a year or more. It's reusable, and it won't affect your menstrual cycle or your future fertility. If you're allergic to latex, there's a latex-free version called the FemCap.	It's only 86 percent effective at preventing pregnancy and won't protect you against STIs. Some women have a hard time inserting and removing it. Also, you have to use it with spermicide, which can be messy and irritating.

These are just some of the methods that are available to women. Stay tuned for part three.

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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.

Mirena: Birth Control For Up to 5 Years

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 17:15:00 -0700

The Mirena is a type of IUD, that is placed inside your uterus (by a doctor or nurse practitioner) to prevent pregnancy for up to 5 years. It's a T-shaped piece of plastic that emits hormones into your uterus directly, so it is considered an IUC (intrauterine contraceptive) or an IUS (intrauterine system). 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 while you use it.

OK, but how does Mirena work? The small amounts of levonorgestrel (hormones) released by Mirena make your cervical mucus thick and tacky so sperm can't swim through it so it is difficult for them to make it to your uterus. If the sperm get 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 promote the production of white blood cells. When a foreign object is placed inside the uterus, the body creates white blood cells to defend itself. So when you have sex, if sperm do make it through your tacky mucus to your uterus, the white blood cells will attack them. Even if a sperm does fertilize the egg, the white blood cells will destroy that too.

Interested in how effective it is? To see the stats, just read more
Mirena is 99.9% effective at preventing pregnancy and like metal IUDs, it needs to be fitted and removed by a medical professional. Though once it's in place, that's it. You won't need to use any other form of birth control or even think about it.

Fit's Tips: Mirena is great if you are looking for hassle-free birth control for up to 5 years straight. Just a reminder, it DOES NOT prevent against STDs, 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 you doctor about Mirena. Some doctors recommend against the using the IUD if you have not had children for they are more difficult to insert if you haven't had children.

Are Occasional Breaks From the Pill Necessary?

FitSugar — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:50:05 -0700

Almost every woman I know has been on the pill at some point in her life, and many of us started when we were under 20 years old. It has many health benefits, such as preventing unwanted pregnancies, decreasing the risk of ovarian cancer, and alleviating PMS symptoms. The one big negative about the pill is that statistics show being on it for longer than 10 years puts you at a higher risk for breast cancer. Women may also be worried that taking hormones for so long may affect their chances of having a baby in the future. So does it make sense to take regular vacations from the pill to give your body some hormone-free time?

To find out if this is a good idea, read more.

While it's common to think that taking occasional breaks from the pill is beneficial for your body, it's actually not necessary. It's a myth that may have started a while back, since the very first birth control pills contained high doses of hormones. Today's pills contain a much lower amount so they're completely safe to take for years at a time. Doctors actually think it's healthier for your body to remain on the pill. The fluctuations in hormones can have a negative effect on your body, both physically and emotionally. Plus, all the symptoms you experienced when you first started the pill such as moodiness, sore breasts, or yeast infections may show up again.

What about your fertility? You may be worried that staying on the pill continuously for many years will make it harder to get pregnant when you decide to start a family. There's no evidence that being on the pill has any effect on a woman's future ability to conceive - it merely prevents pregnancy while a woman is on it. In fact, regularly going on and off the pill may increase your chances of having an unplanned pregnancy since your protection isn't consistent.

Most importantly, if you've been on the pill forever, you'll be happy to know that as soon as you go off it your risk for developing breast cancer begins to go back to normal over time. If you're worried about your risk, or the whole idea of putting hormones in your body doesn't sit well with you, talk to your doctor about hormone-free alternatives such as the ParaGard IUC. A permanent vacation from the pill might be the better option, as opposed to a break.