Do you regret your latest sexual escapade??? Emergency Contraception is available

Tags

Health, contraception, STD, sex, birth control pills, estrogen, progestin, EC, emergency contraception, unintended pregnancy, Ella, Plan B, condom, birth control failure, unprotected intercourse, oral birth control, treatment regimen, medicine

So you hooked up with this guy last night and the condom broke, or even worse you didn’t use one.  Well, you there’s a good chance you may become pregnant.  Fortunately, emergency contraception is available for these types of situations.  Emergency contraception (EC) is a treatment regimen designed to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse or birth control failure.

There are two treatment plans you can choose from: progestin-only or combined estrogen and progestin methods.  Very similar to regular birth control. Please note that emergency contraception is not to be used in place of a real borth control method.  I repeat, this is not to be used on a regular basis.  Get an IUD!

EC that is progestin-only reduces the odds of getting pregnant by 89% and is most effective during the first 72 hours of unprotected sex.  This method is generally better tolerated than than the combined regimen.  Plan B One-step is the brand readily available to women 17 and older without a prescription.  If you are younger than that, you will need a prescription from your healthcare provider.

Combined estrogen and progestin treatment reduces the risk of pregnancy by 75% when taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse.  Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and fatigue.  Some women may complain about the side effects, but think about this: those are the same side effects that you would experience during pregnancy.  These side effects are temporary with the drug (that’s if you experience any at all), but if you’re pregnant those side effects may last during the entire 9 months and you’ll have a baby to raise when all is said and done.  Make an educated decision.

There is also a new drug on the market called Ella that can be taken within 120 hours or 5 days after unprotected sex or contraception failure.  You will need a prescription for this medication, regardless of your age.

Certain brands of oral birth control pills may also be used as EC when prescribed by your healthcare provider in higher than usual doses.  This means that you can end up taking as many as 40 pills at once.  You will definately experience an upset stomach at the very least if you choose to go that route.

Even if you are currently taking birth control, it may be a good idea to just have a dose of EC at home for emergencies just in case.  You can never be too careful when it comes to preventing unwanted pregnancies.

Pregnancy shouldn’t be your only concern when the condom breaks or whatever the case may be…STDs are also a major concern, especially if it was a random hook up and you don’t know/trust the guy all that much.  Get tested ASAP!

Hope that you are never in the situation to need EC, but I know life happens.  Now you have enough information to form a game plan.

Remember, ladies, keep a healthy demeanor, both inside and out.

Bake: Bananas (lots of)

Reblogged from Make, Do and Spend:

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I love bananas

I love them sliced onto cereal, muesli, and porridge

I love them with honey on toast (or even better IN a toastie)

I love them whizzed into milkshakes, made into ice-cream, puffed into soufflés… yum

But I rarely eat them just as they are – especially as I find them such an effort to get through

(In fact, I have a theory that the way to test if you’re really hungry or just eating something for the sake of it is imagine yourself eating a banana…

Read more… 380 more words

That banana bread looks delicious!

New Warning Label for Birth Control Pills

Tags

Beyaz, birth control pills, blood clots, contraception, death, DVT, estrogen, FDA, Mariah Carey, Mirena, Nick Cannon, PE, pregnancy, progestin, Safyral, VTE, Yaz

Thanks to those annoying commercials on television from a legal firm asking if you or someone you love has suffered from a blood clot, pulmonary embolism, or even …..(deep gasp) DEATH blah blah blah from using Yaz, my patients come into the office very concerned about taking birth control pills.  I just love the media and how it blows everything out of proportion—sense the sarcastic tone. 

Last month, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decided to add  Venous thromboembolism (VTE) to the warning label of all birth control pills that contains drospirenone, a synthetic progestin.  Yaz, Yasmin, Safyral, and Beyaz are the oral contraceptive brands that will receive this new label.  VTE are basically blood clots that can affect anyone of any race or gender (remember Nick Cannon, Mariah Carey’s husband, was hospitalized earlier this year for complications from blood clots).  The new label is a result of a few studies showing that birth control containing drospirenone increases the risk of a woman having thrombotic events by 3-fold when compared to birth control containing another form of progestin such as levonorgestrel (of Mirena and Plan B fame). 

The studies failed to take into consideration other factors that those woman ma have had that would also contribute to an increased risk of having a blood clot such as cardiovascular problems, obesity, present use of tobacco/nicotine, or an actual history of blood clots just to name a few. 

Here’s something else to mull over: A woman’s chance of developing a blood clot is at least 4 times higher than usual when she’s pregnant.  About 1 in 500 pregnancies are complicated by clotting issues and pulmonary embolisms (blood clots in the lungs) are the number 1 cause of maternal death in the USA.  The risk of clots is 5 times higher during the postpartum period than during pregnancy, and the risk of pulmonary embolism is 15 times higher.  So the question you must ask yourself is, “Am I willing to risk getting pregnant and increasing my chance of clotting more than ever or just take a pill that’s perfectly safe?”  The choice is yours.  Be wise.

Keep in mind that all combined oral contraceptive pills, meaning they have both estrogen and progestin, carries an increased risk for blood clots.  If Yaz and it’s counterparts weren’t safe for women to take the FDA would have pulled them off the market by now.

You must weigh the risks vs benefits with your healthcare provider when deciding which pill is best for you.  If you are that concerned about getting a blood clot, switch to a different brand of pill, or better yet get a Mirena!  There are plenty of options.  I promise it’s not the end of the world or as big a deal as the media is making it out to be.

Take home message: Yaz, Beyaz, and Safyral are completely safe as contraception.  No need to worry unless you have alarming risk factors for blood clots.

Remember ladies, keep a healthy demeanor, both inside and out.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/761796?sssdmh=dm1.774834&src=nl_newsalert

A Minimalist Living Starter Guide

Reblogged from Minimalist Living:

How to Live a Minimalist Lifestyle

If you want to live a more minimalist lifestyle to try and simplify your life I applaud your decision. You are going against the mainstream in doing this.

The mainstream says that more is better. Be busy all the time. Spend your money on useless stuff.

Those of us who enjoy minimalist living eschew this philosophy.

Read more… 422 more words

Something to consider

How to Find Free or Low-Cost Birth Control

Every time I go to work at my clinic site, I am reminded that not everyone is fortunate enough to have health insurance or can afford prescription medications.  Fortunately, there are a few places in everyone’s local town or city that offers free or low-cost birth control.

You may want to check with your local health department first.  They can usually provide you with contraception for free or for a small nominal fee based on your monthly/yearly income.  Just remember to bring proof of income such as a month’s worth of pay stubs or your most recent W-2 form.

You can also try Planned Parenthood.  Just like the health department, you may be able to receive low-cost birth control when  you bring proof of income.  They receive bonus points because they also accept walk-ins…just make sure you get there as early as possible in big cities because the line may be super long.

If you are a college student, your student health clinic usually offers contraception at a discounted price.

If the aforementioned places aren’t readily available, try calling a gynecologist’s office near your neighborhood.  Most doctors can give you a couple of months supply of contraception if you ask.  If they won’t give them out for free, try negotiating a deal you can afford.

Check out bedsider.org.  They can help you find a clinic, emergency contraception, and OTC contraception methods.

You may also want to ask your sex partner(s) to help pay for your birth control.  Any man should be more than willing to foot the bill if it’ll prevent any mistakes unintended pregnancies (it’s a lot cheaper than paying for an abortion or raising a child).  If you aren’t comfortable asking  your dude for birth control money maybe, just maybe, you shouldn’t be having sex him. IJS

Keep in mind that a pelvic exam or Pap smear isn’t mandatory in order to get a prescription for contraception.  However, a short office visit to discuss your medical history and all available options is necessary for your safety.  It will be helpful if you do a little research beforehand and make a list of all the types pf birth control that you are interested in.  Be sure to take into account whether or not you want hormones, how often you want to have to think about it, route of administration, and possible side effects.  Make a wants versus don’t want table to help you make a decision with your healthcare provider.

The withdrawal method should never be an option because it’s not very effective for preventing pregnancy or diseases.  Condoms should be used to prevent STDs, but they aren’t always reliable as contraception.  Abstinence or self/mutual pleasuring methods besides vaginal penetration should be considered until you can get a prescription for more effective methods of birth control.

Remember ladies, keep a healthy demeanor, both inside and out.

PCOS

Tags

acne, birth control, diabetes, infertility, menstrual cycle, missed periods, obeisty, overweight, pcos, polycystic ovarian syndrome, unwanted hair

PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and this disease affects nearly 5 million women of childbearing age.  It’s really surprising that this condition isn’t as publicized in women’s health as some of the others.  Some women get PCOS because their ovaries may develop one or more cysts and fail to produce progesterone.  The result is anovulation, which means no egg is being released from the ovaries. The absence of progesterone may cause a woman’s periods to be very irregular or even absent.  It is important to note that the ovaries also produce typical male hormones, such as testosterone, that can cause anovulation and male patterned hair growth.  Here are a few indicators of PCOS:

• Skipped or very irregular menstrual periods
• Increased weight gain,  in spite of dietary and exercise changes
• Hirsutism, or excessive hair growth in places where it is usually absent or minimal on women (think unwanted chest hair, beards, and mustaches)
• Insulin resistance or Diabetes
• Infertility or trouble getting pregnant
• Acne
• Patches of skin that are thicker and darker than normal

If you are concerned, make an appointment with your healthcare provider to discuss what is going on with you.  For diagnosis, be prepared to discuss your symptoms, past medical history, have a physical exam, which may include a pelvic exam sans a Pap smear, have lab work drawn (to check glucose and testosterone levels), and maybe even an ultrasound.

If you are diagnosed with PCOS, it is not the end of the world.  There are a number of treatment options for you.  Your practitioner may prescribe birth control pills, Metformin, medicines to eliminate unwanted  hair growth, and fertility drugs if you desire pregnancy at the time.  You will also need to place yourself on a low glycemic index diet and exercise regimen to reach a healthy weight, and quit smoking (if applicable) to avoid complications.

Take the first step in taking charge of your health and visit your healthcare provider.

Remember to keep a healthy demeanor, both inside and out.

Annual GYN exam

Last month the United States Proventative Services Task Force along with a slew of other health authorities released new recommendations concerning the Pap smear.  The Papanicolaou test (Pap smear) is simply a screening tool that detects subtle changes in the cells of your cervix.  These cellular changes may be an indication of pre-cancerous cells.  The new guidelines suggest that a Pap smear isn’t necessary until a woman becomes 21 years of age, regardless of sexual activity.  Woman between the ages of 21-65 years old should have a Pap smear every 3 years to adequately screen for possible cervical cancer.  If you are between the ages of 30-65 years old and want to further increase the interval of screening, the USPSTF recommends that you have a Pap smear and HPV testing every 5 years.

These new guidelines may have given many women the misconception that an annual woman’s wellness visit is no longer necessary.  This is simply untrue. A wellness visit is important because it gives you an opportunity to touch bases with your healthcare provider, discuss any recent changes in your health, update immunizations if necessary, get tested for sexually transmitted diseases, get your breast examination, and discuss contraception options/refills, among other things.  If the thought of stirrups makes you uncomfortable ask the provider if you can place your feet flat on the table and sit in a more upright position.  Studies have shown that this is a more comfortable position for the patient and doesn’t compromise the provider’s ability to perform the exam. 

Keep in mind that the new Pap smear guidelines apply to all healthy women with a cervix.  If you are immunocompromised (have HIV or in a similar situation), have been previously diagnosed with cervical cancer, or a high grade precancerous cervical lesion, you may require more frequent monitoring and should consult with your OB/GYN or Women’s Health Nurse Practitoner.

Remember ladies, to keep a healthy demeanor, both inside and out.

Birth Control: Let’s Start Making Smarter Choices

With Valentines Day behind us and Spring Break 2012 just around the corner, I decided to remind you divas about the plenty of contraception options available to you.

When choosing an appropriate option, you should be honest with yourself.  Some of the questions you need to ask yourself are:

• Do I want to get pregnant?
• I do want to become a parent, but how soon do I want to make that happen?
• Am I reliable and responsibile enough to remember to take a pill everyday or change a patch/nuvaring when they’re due to be changed?
• Am I in charge of my body, or am I leaving my future in the hands of a random hook up or boyfriend?

Please take a peek at the birth control chart I’ve attached below.  It is my belief that IUDs (Mirena and Paragard) are the future of contraception.  They are as effective, if not more effective, than getting your tubes tied or having your partner get a vasectomy.  And as an added bonus, you don’t have to worry about it daily because it’s effective for at least 5 years after it’s inserted.  The Depo-shot is a good alternative in spite of the weight gain rumors floating around.

Take a few moments to have an honest and open discussion with yourself and your partner(s), then head to a healthcare provider for a birth control plan tailored specifically for your needs.  DON’T FORGET TO USE CONDOMS AS A SECOND CONTRACEPTIVE METHOD.  NO MATTER HOW EFFECTIVE A METHOD MAY BE AT STOPPING PREGNANCY, THEY DON’T PREVENT STDs!!!

No one wants to come back from spring break with a baby and/or a disease.  No bueno.

Remember, ladies, keep a healthy demeanor both inside and out.

It’s Tricky…Trichomoniasis

Tags

cervix, disgusting discharge, Flagyl, Parasite, petechiae, sex, sexual activities, STD, STI, strawberry cervix, Trich, Trichomonads, Trichomoniasis, vaginal discharge

Disgusting Discharge

Trichomoniasis is a type of sexually transmitted infection that doesn’t get much publicity, but should.  I don’t believe I’ve been taught about or even heard of until I began grad school.  No beuno.  As I progress through my clinical rotations, I am finding that many other females aren’t aware that Trichomoniasis existed either. Here’s a quick, crash course about this tricky infection.

• 1/2 of those infected remain asymptomatic, meaning you won’t be able to tell if you have it
• If you do notice any symptoms, it’ll be a itchy, gray or yellow-green, foul smelling (fishy) vaginal discharge
• You may experience burning or other problems urinating
• The pH of your vagina will increase, becoming more basic to about 4.5 or greater
• Upon examination, the HCP will notice that your cervix will look like a strawberry because it’s covered by petechiae. My guess is this is a result of the Trich organisms, a parasite, eating away at your cervix.  Ouch!!!

Keep in mind that this is definately a SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED infection and men are often asymptomatic.  Have your partner tested and treated whenever you are diagnosed.  All sexual activities should be avoided until you both are treated, have completed the prescribed regimen (probably 5 days of Flagyl), and are symptom free.

I’ll attach some lovely pictures below for your viewing pleasure.

Your motto for 2012 and beyond should be “Wrap it Up; No Glove, No Love!!!”

Remember ladies, to keep a healthy demeanor, inside and out.

Cervical PetechiaeStrawberry Cervix

Frothy Vaginal Discharge

Breast Pain

Tags

boobies, breast discomfort, breast pain, breasts, bud, caffeine, caffeine intake, evening of primrose oil, fun bags, vitamin e

If your fun bags aren’t that fun anymore and are causing you pain, try the following tips to nip it in the bud.

• Decrease your caffeine intake.  Eliminating caffeine altogether would probably be best for your health in general.
• Take 400 units of Vitamin E capsules daily.
• Take up to 1500 mg of Evening of Primrose Oil daily.

If your discomfort doesn’t subside, make an appointment to discuss your symptoms with your health care provider.

Remember, to keep a healthy demeanor, both inside and out.