Women's Health Line » Birth control

Birth Control after Childbirth

admin — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 13:03:10 +0000

When a woman gets pregnant she is very happy and elated that she is finally giving birth to a new life soon. During the time she is pregnant, she is not worried about anything but the baby. But as soon as she delivers she has to start worrying about how to get back in to shape and also how not to get pregnant soon. Birth control after childbirth only ensures that the woman is able to monitor her health and also is able to recoup before the next pregnancy.

Birth control after childbirth only is a way of ensuring that the ideal contraceptive method is used and is properly adhered to after childbirth. Some women are unable to resume using the birth control method they used earlier, but sometimes certain other methods are used which could work in a better manner. It is however a good idea to plan well in advance and have sex without tension and in total peace.

Birth control after childbirth can be had in various methods:

Barrier Methods

The Barrier Method is a method that is done such that the sperms are physically prevented from reaching the egg. These methods are reversible and don’t affect the hormones .They also do not interfere with lactation and do not normally have any kind of side effects

Condoms

Men can use condoms and the male condom is a sheath that is tube like and thin in structure. It is either made of latex or polyurethane. It fits snugly on the erect male organ and then traps the semen during sex. These are normally the best methods and do not need any kind of physical examination or fitting. They give great protection against HIV and also guard against sexually transmitted diseases and infections.

So if you have given birth to a child, and want to be sexually active, then you can resort to condoms the moment you feel you are comfortable having sex. So you really don’t need to depend on condoms for a longer term and you can use even while you are in the process of initiating the right kind of birth control method.

Condoms for women

The female condom is another pouch that is made of thin polyurethane and is normally inserted in the vagina just before you have sex. This prevents pregnancy from occurring and also protects you from sexually transmitted diseases or STIs. There are soft rings that are found at either end and this holds the pouch in position. Female condoms normally do not need a physical examination and also do not need a fitting. You can actually use them as soon as you are ready to be sexually active again.

Diaphragm

The diaphragm is another dome shaped device which fills partially with spermicide and this is normally inserted into the vagina before having sex. It helps the sperm from not reaching the cervix. So you can fit the diaphragm six weeks after delivery. If you have used a diaphragm earlier it would be easier but the size has to be determined and then put.

Cervical cap or Cervical shield

The cervical cap is a silicone cup that is shaped like the hat that sailors wear. It is called the Lea’s Shield. This is a silicone cup with an air valve. The cap is partially filled with the spermicide and you normally have to insert the cap into your vagina before sex. The cervical cap totally blocks the sperm from entering the uterus

The Pill

The pill is normally had on the first day of the period or on the first Sunday after the start of the period. It is alright to start the pill on any day. The health care provider would advise you how to use the pill.

When a woman gets pregnant and delivers she undergoes a lot of change in the physical, psychological and physiological systems, so it is essential that she is aware about her health and learns to take care of herself. Birth control methods only ensure that the woman is well equipped after childbirth.

Birth Control After Delivery

admin — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 05:10:14 +0000

A woman’s health after delivery is very delicate and has to be well taken care of. It is ideal that she waits for atleast 18 months before she conceives again. It not only gives the body time to heal but also helps it to rebuild the energy that is stored. It also gives the body a chance to recover from the wear and tear which is an inevitable part of pregnancy and delivery.

Birth control after pregnancy is advisable for all women. Lesser intervals between two pregnancies have lot of adverse effects for both the baby and the mother. Ovulation takes place soon after twenty five days of delivery. So it is important that she is able to plan her pregnancy and take appropiate measures to avoid pregnancy soon after delivery.

The Pill is the main way of contraception for many women. So if you are planning to take the Pill again, then you would surely wonder when to start taking it again. There are recommendations from the CDC that say that it is very important to wait for a minimum duration of three weeks after the delivery before taking the contraception. These contraceptives with the estrogen progestin combination are good contraceptive methods.

It is normally asked by many women why not to have contraception immediately after delivery. The studies show that there is a great increase in the formation of blood clots called venous thromboembolism or VTE in women who have contraceptives in the first 21 days after delivery or postpartum.

42 days after delivery there are normally no restrictions that apply on contraception. If there are any other medical conditions then it is advised that you don’t take into account these conditions. Women who breastfeed should keep away from the Pill as there are lot of side effects that are seen to affect milk production. So it is better to not have any contraceptive pills during this time.

There are many other methods like implants, injextions or inserting intrauterine devices or IUD. But before choosing the most appropiate method do consult your gynachologist regarding the same.

Barrier methods are also safer alternatives.These methods physically prevent the sperm from meeting the egg. These methods are not reversible and these methods don’t affect the hormones and don’t interfere with lactation. They don’t have any side effects.

Alternately, condoms can be used by men. The male condom which is a thin sheath like structure that is made from polyurethane fits over the erect male genital organ and does not allow the semen to ooze out during sex. Condoms do not need any physical examination or fitting and they are the best birth control methods which protect you from HIV and other sexually transmitted infections or STIs.

So once both the partners are ready the apt contraception mothod can be adopted for birth control.

Contraception with ParaGard: Some Information

admin — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:45:53 +0000

ParaGard is one of the two IUDs or intrauterine devices approved by the FDA for being used for birth control. The other one is Mirena. According to results obtained in the past years, ParaGard is said to be 99.2% to 99.4% effective in preventing pregnancy. The other term used for ParaGard is copper IUD. This IUD is basically a T-shaped device consisting of a plastic frame, which gets inserted into the woman’s uterus.

How does ParaGard work? ParaGard works by inhibiting fertilization by stopping the sperm from reaching the egg; it helps in rendering the sperm inactive within the cervical mucus. In case an egg gets fertilized, the ParaGard does not allow the embryo to get implanted within the uterus.

Although the side effects of ParaGard are much less than the hormonal contraceptive pills, many women using this IUD complain about increased menstrual pain and vaginal bleeding. If you are experiencing similar side effects after insertion of ParaGard, report them to your physician. A more serious side effects of ParaGard is pelvic inflammatory infections, which generally occur within the initial 3 weeks following the insertion of the device. Some women also report side effects like puncturing of uterus and automatic expulsion of ParaGard; both these conditions are extremely serious and needs to be attended medically without delay.

The cost of this IUD ranges between $200 and $300. Once you get a ParaGard inserted, it will stay functional for as many as 10 years. So, the money you are spending for buying the device is an expenditure you will be requiring to make once in every 10 years. The best thing about this contraceptive method is that it is reversible; when you wish to get pregnant, get it removed and within a few months you can conceive successfully and without any side-effects.

Overview of Birth Control Rings

admin — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 11:09:02 +0000

Numerous birth controlling methods have been known so far. These may primarily include birth control pills and birth control ring. Both these methods are designed to prevent unwanted pregnancies. However, they majorly differ in the way they infuse medicine into the bloodstream of the person.

Birth control rings are doughnut shape, flexible structures that gets inserted into the women’s vagina for preventing pregnancies. Generally, these contraceptive rings have a length of 2 inches and their diameter is 5 inches. Ideally, the ring is inserted into the vagina just before the onset of the menstrual cycle. This contraceptive then releases the stream of hormones that work towards the thickening of mucous and thus the prevention of sperms from reaching the eggs. The hormones released by these rings first come in contact with the vaginal wall of the user and then get into her bloodstream. The two hormones present in these rings are estrogen and progesterone; there’s a certain ratio in which these two hormones are present in the birth control rings. They also prevent ovulation which evades the release of the eggs at the first place.

However, the method is associated with certain side effects like excessive vaginal discharge, nausea, weight gain, vaginal irritation, breast tenderness, mood swings and irregular menstrual bleeding. However, similar side effects can also be observed in the usage of birth control pills. In addition, the long term usage of these birth controlling agents can in very rare cases cause mild to moderate heart attacks or strokes. However, the point to note is that most of the side effects caused by these two methods can be well tolerated as they do not significantly harm the systems of the body. On the other hand, both of them are easy and convenient steps to follow to prevent pregnancy.

Temporary and Permanent Methods of Birth Control

admin — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 06:12:22 +0000

All those methods of birth control which are not permanent in nature fall under the category of temporary birth control methods. So practically, all methods of birth control besides vasectomy and tubectomy are temporary methods. Temporary methods are more popular than permanent methods. The obvious reason is that permanent methods are highly irreversible. So couples who are not sure whether or not they want to have more kids in the future can safely opt for temporary methods while still keeping their options open.

On the contrary it is very unlikely to reverse a permanent surgical birth control measure. Most people prefer temporary methods even after having kids as there is no risk involved. Young people obviously choose temporary measures so that they can stop them once they plan to start a family. Common and popular temporary methods are condoms, birth control pills, birth control patches, and intra uterine devices. The one which has the least impact on a woman’s fertility are condoms. One can achieve pregnancy immediately after stopping the use of condoms unlike birth control pills and patches in which it takes slightly longer for a woman to conceive after stopping them. Fertility can be quickly retained after stopping their usage.

Permanent birth control measures generally comprise of the following surgical methods:

Vasectomy: This is the permanent method of birth control in males. The surgery involved is done to stop sperms from coming out in the ejaculate. This process is called vasectomy. The term is derived from the name vas deferens. Is this surgical procedure, vasa deferentia of a man are cut and litigated so that no sperms can reach the ejaculate. It is a permanent method of birth control and reversibility is highly unlikely.

Tubectomy: The surgical method to achieve permanent birth control in women is called tubectomy. In this procedure, a part of the fallopian tubes are cut and litigated so that no sperms can reach the ovum. It is a permanent method of birth control, and is irreversible just like vasectomy.

Of the above two procedures, generally vasectomy is preferable as it is easily done and the recovery period is much shorter as compared to tubectomy. Permanent birth control methods are preferable when a couple is through with their family planning. Think twice before opting for permanent methods.

Oral Contraceptives and Its Different Uses

admin — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 04:13:12 +0000

Oral contraceptive pills are generally associated with birth control by the layman but in reality these pills provide a remedy to a wide range of problems.

Filled with the two female hormones estrogen and progestin that are generally produced by the ovaries, oral contraceptives prevent ovulation, and hence lead to lesser uterine lining. This makes your periods disappear or become lighter when the capsules are consumed.

These oral contraceptives are very effective in preventing pregnancy. This helps women to have children after they are financially better off, or start a family later.

Besides this obvious benefit oral contraceptives can relieve severe menstrual cramps. They also prevent ovulation and save you from the ovulation pain in the middle of the menstrual cycle.

These pills are used to regulate the period length and frequency. They create a regular 28 day cycle and protect the bones by supplying estrogen. The hormones in oral contraceptives heal acne. Because you bleed less while on these pills you will not face anemia and your red blood cell count will rise. The risk of ovarian cysts, ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer also reduces.

These pills can relieve hormonal imbalance conditions of polycystic ovaries; they are also prescribed for girls with deficiency in estrogen and those suffering from endometrosis.

A few minor remediable problems may be faced while using oral contraceptives. Spotting may be experienced. It will disappear after around three weeks of usage of the capsules.

Nausea can be eliminated by taking the pill along with some food, or taking a pill with lower estrogen content. Exercise and a balanced diet help counter mood swings. To prevent weight gain avoid fast foods, and eat more fruits and veggies. Also exercise well daily.

These pills should be taken with the supervision of a doctor for safety. They cause no birth defects, fall in fertility levels or difficulty to conceive in future.

How to Prevent Weight Gain from Contraceptive Pills?

admin — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 08:36:56 +0000

The hormonal birth control pills are known to cause a number of side effects; weight gain is one of the most frequently occurring side effects of these pills. According to medical experts, the estrogen present in birth control pills triggers water retention and allows excess fat storage in our body, which results in excessive weight gain. Below we have discussed a few tricks through which you can prevent weight gain caused by birth control pills:

Drink adequate amount of water: Monitoring the daily water intake can help a woman to prevent weight gain from birth control pills. Drinking a minimum of 8 glasses water is extremely important for staying healthy; this is the minimum amount of water any individual should take. Keeping the system hydrated stops water retention, which is the main cause of weight gain due to birth control pills. Weight gain can be prevented only by drinking plain water; sugary and caffeinated beverages can further increase your body weight.
Increase fiber intake: Women using hormonal pills for preventing pregnancy must consume a diet rich in fiber. This will help them in flushing out all the toxins stored in their colon assisting them with weight loss. Have whole grain food items and high fiber cereal. If you are not sure that you are consuming enough fiber, you can also consume a fiber supplement regularly. However, you must consult your physician before starting the doses of the fiber supplement.

When you are on contraceptive pills, you should avoid consumption of junk foods. Consuming junk foods while on these pills will increase your risk of gaining weight even further.
Weight gain from birth control pills can also be prevented successfully by exercising regularly.

Can Foods Interact with Contraceptive Pills?

admin — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 06:11:22 +0000

There is rarely any food item that interacts with contraceptive pills even when consumed in moderate or normal quantities. Till date, no medical study have suggested with evidences that certain food types can stop the birth control pills from performing their functions. However, there is a common concern among several women that foods that affect our hormonal levels might end up neutralizing the effects of contraceptive pills resulting in an unplanned pregnancy. The foods, which are theoretically able to impair efficacy of the oral contraceptives are:

Licorice: If a woman is using oral contraceptives, she should consume licorice only in moderate amounts. Licorice might result in certain unexpected effects on the reproductive hormones of women and thus when taken in large amounts might induce unplanned pregnancy.

Soybean and soy products: The theory of naturopathy suggests that soy is an excellent remedy for curing hormonal imbalances triggered by conditions like PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) and menopause. Soybeans are source of natural compounds that mimic the effects of estrogen, as a result of which they can end up interacting with the birth control pills. So, if you are on contraceptive pills, avoid taking soy products or soy bean in large amounts.

Yam: Wild yam is in use as a natural ingredient for increasing the levels of progesterone since the ancient times. Today, a number of herbal mixtures used for the purpose of increasing progesterone levels include extracts of wild yam. Women taking birth control pills should not consume wild yam (topical use must also be avoided).

Milk treated with RBGH: A number of dairy organizations in the US use milk taken from the cattle treated using RBGH; RBGH is basically a compound that acts like hormones and increase the milk output of cows. Theoretically, high quantity of milk treated with RBGH might interact with oral contraceptives.

Natural Birth Control Using Herbs

admin — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 06:06:58 +0000

Whenever we hear about birth control, we think of the hormonal pills and patches or the devices used for the purpose. However, birth control can also be done naturally using herbs. Below we have discussed some herbs that can be used as alternatives of the other birth control procedures.

1. Wild yam:

Wild Yam was declared as a herb with birth control properties after several studies conducted by a group of scientists in Utah showed that the herb when taken regularly help in avoiding pregnancy. The women participating in the study consumed the herb two times every day (however, the exact dosages taken by the women are not known) and could avoid pregnancy successfully.

2. Neem oil:

This oil is categorized as implantation inhibitor. Neem oil is used as a process of birth control by Indian women since the ancient ages. The contraceptive effects of neem oil were first studied during the later part of the 1990s. One of the most famous researches on the subject was carried out in India. This study revealed that neem oil successfully prevented implantations in the rats. According to the study, neem oil increased the functions of the immune system that stop the eggs from inducing implantation.

3. Blue cohosh:

Blue cohosh is scientifically classified as herbal emmenagogue. Women suffering from menstrual irregularity are often suggested to consume this herb. According to scientists, blue cohosh induces menstruation by encouraging the shedding of uterine lining of a woman. This herb promotes uterine contractions, as result of which uterine lining of a women get detached from her uterine wall. Blue cohosh can prevent implantation and is also often used for inducing abortion. If you are suggested to go for abortion for medical reasons during the early stage of your pregnancy, you can use blue cohosh in a combination with another herb called pennyroyal. However, never take this herb without asking your physician. High dosage of blue cohosh might be extremely harmful for the kidneys and the liver.

The Pill – Important Things One Needs Know

admin — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 05:05:04 +0000

In these times, the pill’s rise to fame cannot be discounted and even though majority of the individuals are aware of contraception basics, not many are ever bothered about reading the small print. Hence, here’s some of the most crucial stuff one must know about the pill (that smallish pocket book in that pill pack one tosses out on a monthly basis sans giving it a read).

Intake of antibiotic medicine could lessen efficacy of the pill

Now, this snippet of information might be news for many of you and oftentimes this is the commonest blunder which pill takers made unconsciously. Although you might religiously take your pill at the precise time daily but when you are taking antibiotic medicine, its virus-fighting features could at times even end up fighting & conciliating the effects of the pill. Hence, those women who are on an antibiotic course, are otherwise in sound health & due to be engaging in sexual contact must ideally be using a back-up type of contraception.

Pill takers might miss their period some months

From personal experience, some females taking Loestrin 2 might experience their menses going so faint that it wouldn’t appear for several months at a shot. For being on the safer side, one must perhaps be getting a pregnancy test done though skipped menses for 1-2 months doesn’t essentially translate to the fact that the woman has conceived.

Having missed a pill means, one needs to be using some type of back-up contraception for the subsequent week.

Although one may feel that having missed a pill in the initial week of the pill packet is not a matter of much concern, all women experience a diverse menstrual cycle & not deploying another contraceptive means such as condoms could be leading to conception. For staying totally risk-free, try using some additional type of contraception for an entire week. The sole instant when it is alright to have missed a pill & not risk conception is when it is one of the woman’s placebo pills in the pack.

The Pill doesn’t shield from AIDS & several types of STIs

Even though this may be apparent to many of us, several individuals deem that the pill has analogous effects as condoms – which is entirely incorrect. Although the pill shields you from getting pregnant, it is offering zero shielding from STIs hence risky behaviour isn’t justifiable just since one is taking the pill as it wouldn’t be immunizing you from anything else that your sexual mate possibly has.

Generic Versions also work as effectively

A number of individuals would be paying close to thirty dollars on a monthly basis for buying the pill – that then adds up to 360 dollars annually merely on contraception. If you are on a low budget, enquire from you’re obstetrician-gynaecologist regarding generic versions. Even though they may not appear as fanciful but have similar effectiveness & most significantly provide protection from unwanted pregnancies.

Heat & dampness/ humidity could lessen effectiveness of the pill

The ideal location for keeping pill packet is in close drawers far from the high temperature & humidity. Avoid storing the pack of pills in bathrooms & when outdoors, place your handbag away from the sunlight & any moisture. It’s always better to take necessary precautionary measures.

In order to garner a 99.7 percent efficacy, one must be taking the birth control within thirty minutes of the analogous time everyday.

It appears that the hormones which bring about temporary infertility solely are working for twenty-four hours at a shot. It is fine to have missed the time by an hour or two, but beyond that time frame, it is safer to go in for condoms for a minimum of seven days.

When the birth control isn’t taken on the analogous time each day then its effectiveness could dip to ninety-two percent.

Stated clearly, the likelihood of getting pregnant is twenty-six folds more when one fails in taking one’s birth control on a regular basis.

All Pills aren’t made equal

Women who start using the pill may report getting their menses once a fortnight or mood fluctuations or super-faint flow – all of which is nothing abnormal. But, in case this is continually experienced even subsequent to a number of months then it is better to bring this matter up with your gynaecologist who can advice you a different brand with lesser bothersome side-effects. At times it’s a trial-and-error phase before finding a brand which really suits you. Hence, if after 2-3 months of having started the Pill one yet feels low then stop suffering silently and visit your gynaecologist at the earliest for learning about other choices.

Bear in mind, the pill is a good choice though alike several other types of birth control, its responsible usage would ensure max effect.