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There we were. Getting ready for a special night when it was quickly discovered that the birth control most commonly used was running low. The next day, guess what was on the shopping list? Trojan condoms.

Now, I’m not one to brag, but I am part of the 90% of men that are just ‘average’. Unfortunately I am excluded from getting the Trojan Magnum condoms. It’s not that I’m ashamed of fitting in to the majority of the population, its that when I buy them, and my significant other is with me, I am reminded that she knows there is a larger size. Perhaps she wonders. Or, maybe it’s just me.

Usually what people do once they are at the store is bury these items deep within the shopping cart and try to ignore when the cashier scans the item. However, more often than not I see this happen: The cashier scans the condoms, then the KY jelly, and then looks at me and my girl. Subconsciously, maybe. But I seem to always notice it. I know what they’re thinking, and they know what I’m doing.

I can only imagine what the cashier’s face looks like when they scan the Magnum condoms. It’s probably followed by a congratulatory eyebrow-raise toward the guy.

It just seems that whenever I buy condoms I’m more conscious of people looking in my cart. There are a lot of embarrassing things to buy, condoms are just one of them. It doesn’t help that condoms are placed in a high-traffic area highly under surveillance by numerous cameras. The embarrassing nature of buying condoms is probably why they are stolen so much.

A study published in January, 2006 in the Journal of Sexual Medicine claims that women who use birth control pills may suffer from long term side effects. Possible side effects include decreased desire and arousal, decreased lubrication, and increased sex-related pain.

Researchers studied a group of 124 women, all of whom had previously suffered from some degree of sexual dysfunction. 69 of the women continued using the pill, 39 were discontinued users, and 23 had never used it.

The research team analysed blood samples taken from women who had discontinued use of the pill six months earlier, and found that they had significantly less available testosterone. This would make them more prone to suffer from side effects such as decreased sexual desire and less frequent arousal.

Increased globulin levels means less testosterone

According to study leader Dr. Claudia Panzer of Boston University, the women who were currently taking the pill had as much as four times the level of testosterone-binding globulin in their blood as those not taking the pill. This is what reduces the amount of testosterone the body has at its disposal.

But the study found that after six months of not taking the pill, globulin levels were still roughly twice as high in those who had taken the pill, compared to those who had not. And eleven women who were tested after more than 11 months still reported having almost twice the globulin level as the group that had not taken the pill.

These observations were surprising, the authors said, “as the effect of oral contraceptives on sex hormone-binding globulin levels should have subsided.” The findings are even more interesting, the study noted, because these women also received transdermal testosterone therapy, which should have decreased sex hormone-binding globulin levels.

All patients were offered a transdermal testosterone gel to improve their sexual function, but even with this therapy globulin levels were much higher than in those who had not taken the pill.

The report noted that earlier research has shown that increases in sex hormone-binding globulin levels from using birth control pills result in a 40% to 60% decrease in free testosterone levels.

Long term impact

The researchers speculated that the synthetic estrogens in oral contraceptives may trigger more permanent changes in the way the genes function, leading to much longer lasting reductions in the amounts of testosterone available to the body.

So a therapy meant to enhance sexual experience may actually make it less enjoyable for many women.

The researchers were unwilling to draw hard and fast conclusions, saying only that more research is needed. The most important question left hanging is “whether sex hormone-binding globulin changes induced by oral contraceptives may or may not be completely reversible after discontinuation of oral contraceptive use and whether this leads to long-term sexual, metabolic, and mental health changes in women.”

At a bare minimum, doctors should make women more aware of these possible side effects, and they should be more diligent about watching for them. They should also be less eager to opt for the easy answer, and be more open to less invasive methods of birth control such as condoms.

With the rapid growth of the population in the world as well as the increased sense in general awareness for HIV/AIDS, has forced to think on birth control methods. The current world’s population is estimated to be around 6.4 billion with annual growth of 76 million and hence, it is estimated to reach 9 billion by year 2050. In next two decades, world’s two highly populous countries, China & India are expected to reach the population of 1.5 billion each i.e more than one third of the total world population of that time. It is alarming situation for the world to control this “population explosion”. Therefore, United Nations are urging countries specially highly populated countries to control their population.

As per the survey report for birth control methods if applied in 169 countries, 137 million women willing to delay their contraceptives, 64 million women are using less effective birth control measures. If these women are helped with adequate birth control treatment (like pills, condoms), 23 million of unplanned births, 22 million induced abortions and 1.4 million infants could be avoided as estimated by United Nations Population Fund.

Besides population, HIV/AIDS is also very important factor forcing the need for birth control. An estimated, world has 38 million people have either AIDS or infected with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). In seven African countries, one out of 5 adults is infected with HIV. Birth control methods are, therefore, become imperative to control further spread of HIV/AIDS, particularly in these countries. The population in these countries is projected at 35% lower by 2025 free from HIV/AIDS. It will further reduce the total life expectancy by an average of 29 years in these countries.

History of Birth Control

200 AD, Greek gynecologist Soranus said that women become fertile during ovulation. He suggested some birth control tips for women to avoid unwanted pregnancy like smearing olive oil, pomegranate pulp, ginger, or tobacco juice around vagina to kill sperm, drinking water used by blacksmith to cool hot metals and jumping 7 times backward after the sexual intercourse. Many birth control methods like ayurvedic treatments used centuries ago (aside from sexual abstinence). However, there are some historical records of Egyptian women are found who were using some herbal or acid substances like crocodile dung or lubricants like honey or household olive oil as vaginal suppository, which they may have found effective at killing sperm.

However, commercial use of birth control method started in 1960 in the form of birth control pill. It was in 1950, when Planned Parenthood Federation of America invited biologist Dr. Gregory Pincus to develop oral contraceptive pill that would be harmless, universally acceptable and safe for husband and wife. After under going many tests with more than 6,000 women in Puerto Rico and Haiti , it was 1960 when the first commercially produced birth control pill called Enovid-10 was introduced to women in USA . This first oral contraceptive was made with two hormones Estrogen (100 to 175 microgram) and Progestin (10 mg). They were proved to be 99% effective if taken as directed. With estimation, more than 18 million women in US are relying on birth control pills

Types of birth control pills

Unlike the decades old oral contraceptive pills (which had higher number of hormones), today’s birth control pills are in low-dose forms with health benefits. So, women can take birth control pills with much fewer health risks.

Generally there are three types of birth control pills available

1. Progestin only pills (POP)

It is also known as “mini-pill” containing no estrogen. It is recommended for breastfeeding women because estrogen reduced milk production. This POP pill works by thickening the cervical mucus and thus preventing sperm to enter uterus

2. Combination birth control pills

The widely known birth control pills are having combination of two hormones progestin and estrogen. These types of oral contraceptive pills come with the pack of 21 “active pills” and 7 “placebos” , which do not contain any hormones. These are, in fact, known as “reminder pills”

These combination pills are further sub-divided into three types of pills due to the level of two hormones progestin and estrogen.

i) Monophasic birth control pills

Here, every active pill contains the equal number of progestin and estrogen. The other seven pills are placebo having no hormones. Menstruation starts when these placebo pills are taken

ii) Multiphasic birth control pills

They are also known as biphasic or trphasic oral contraceptive pills due to different levels of hormones in active pills. These pills are required to be taken at specific time in its entire pills schedule. Multiphasic birth control pills help offsetting the risks of oral contraceptives.

iii) Continuous birth control pills

it is also known as 365 days pills to be taken continuously throughout the year without the year. This is the new entry of oral contraceptive pills in the birth control market. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Lybrel, which is the only continuous birth control pill approved so far and available for general women use. Women do not get menstrual period while they are under the treatment of Lybrel, however, they might find some breakthrough bleeding or spotting, particularly at the initial stage.

3) Emergency birth control pills

Also known as “morning after pills”, these are designed for immediate pregnancy protection after the unprotected sex. It is highly recommended to take emergency pills within 48 hours and maximum 72 hours to be effective in avoiding pregnancy. These are different than usual oral contraceptive pills where you plan your birth control much in advance. Emergency pills are also taken when the women are sexually assaulted. FDA has approved Plan B as the safest emergency pills. Due to OTC (over the counter) approval by FDA for women above 18 years, Plan B can now be ordered behind pharmacy counter.

The first question that hits most couples after marriage is ‘when to become parents?’ For some the choice is simple, while for others it can be baffling. Contraception can help control pregnancy till one feels that the time is right. Birth control methods incorporate the various modes of preventing pregnancy. Some even provide additional safety from sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS, herpes, syphilis etc.

One of the age-old methods of birth control is natural family planning. This means periodic abstinence from intercourse during the fertile days for the woman. These are approximately the 12th to the 20th day of the menstrual cycle, counting day 1 as the first day of periods. For this method to work, one requires a lot of planning and commitment. Another natural method is the withdrawal in which the man tries to pull out before ejaculating. This can prove to be risky as sometimes the pre-ejaculation fluid that contains sperms leaks before the withdrawal.

Next is the category of barrier methods that include the condom, diaphragm, the cervical cap and contraceptive sponges. These methods prevent pregnancy by blocking sperm from getting into the uterus. Male condoms can be procured from any drug store. They are very affordable but can be used only once. As for the female condom, there is only one by the name of Reality, available so far. This needs to be inserted 24 hours prior to the intercourse. For the usage of a diaphragm or a cervical cap, one requires a doctor’s assistance to fit it into the body of the woman. However, the usage of a diaphragm, cervical cap or contraceptive sponge may increase the risk of urinary tract infections in some women. Some women have allergic reactions with these methods.

Oral contraception pertains to women taking the birth control pill containing estrogen and progestin. The pill aids contraception by preventing ovulation. There is availability of the mini pill as well, which only contains the hormone, progestin. This pill thickens the cervical mucus and thus, prevents the sperm from reaching the egg. It also prevents the implantation of a fertilized egg on the uterine wall. Hormone injections or shots also work on the lines of the pill to prevent pregnancy. These injections can prevent pregnancy up to 3 months but it is advisable for women not to take them for more than 2 years in a row because they are known to cause a temporary loss of bone density. Yet another methodology working on a similar principle is the hormonal birth control patch, which is applied either to the buttocks, abdomen, upper torso or outer arm; thus, releasing the hormones into the bloodstream. IUD or the intra uterine device is a small structure inserted by a doctor into the uterus of a woman. The principle behind the working of the pill and IUD is the same but doctors prefer to use the IUD on women who have already had a baby. The vaginal contraceptive ring is a thin, flexible ring that can be inserted into the vagina by the woman herself and requires a change in 3 weeks. It releases hormones that prevent pregnancy.

Permanent method of birth control involves sterilization. Tubal ligation in women closes the fallopian tubes so that the eggs are unable to travel through them to reach the uterus, whereas vasectomy in men closes off the vas deferens so the sperm cannot travel through.

Despite an array of family planning methods, one thing is sure that none are fool proof. Also, there is no best method as each one has its pros and cons. Any birth control method can fail so the only way to ensure no pregnancy is abstinence.

With the rate of the increase in expenses and cost of living today, it is but normal for women to use birth control pills. There are some women who actually prefer the natural methods of birth control than using pills due to their side effects. While there are those who have used pills without experiencing any negative side effects to the body, there are those who really experienced them. How about you, have you ever experienced any side effects from using birth control pills?

Women use pills to prevent any unwanted pregnancies. It is often the most widely used method for family planning due to the ease of intake. Each woman has a different body structure that prescriptions of doctors in the administration of birth control pills also vary. It is never safe to actually try out any pill that could easily be bought from drugstores without first consulting an obstetrician.

At times, because these pills create some hormonal changes in the body, it produces adverse effects to the body. Some effects include having breast tenderness, nausea and vomiting, bleeding, bloating, change in sex drive, headaches, and the most common is having acne. Although there are some pills that prevent the occurrence of acne, there are those that cause a serious kind of acne.

Drug companies should make sure that the composition of their drugs are all safe and would not produce any harmful effect or trigger a chemical reaction that would result to some undesirable body conditions. So many times drugs have been known to cause harmful side effects to the body. This does not only occur with overdoses but also occurs through an incorrect administration.

With the rising number of cases of harmful effects on the body that resulted from medications or birth control, proper authorities have been more vigilant than ever in apprehending drug manufacturers who do not give that much care in the effects of the drugs to persons using them.

If you have been a victim of said companies and the condition occurred because of your use of pills, then you could now start looking for a good lawyer who would fight for your cause. Look for a product liability law firm whose focus is on helping victims who suffered from harmful effects of dangerous drugs and birth control pills.

You always have the right to pursue a legal recourse since it is with full trust and confidence that you took the pills. Indeed if the pills caused you to suffer serious acne trouble, then there is a reason for you to seek some reprieve from the drug company who owns the pills through a legal action.

While birth control pills are indeed effective at preventing unwanted pregnancies, the risks far outweigh the benefits as far as your health is concerned. If you are currently using birth control of any kind (the pill, shots, the patch, etc.), I cannot urge you strongly enough to stop using them immediately. There are many other safer ways to prevent pregnancy.

Many women may also be taking birth control pills to alleviate painful cramping or irregular periods. The pill, however, does nothing to address the cause of the problem, and instead can even compound the problem.

Dr. Carolyn Dean, M.D., N.D. explains that “cramping or painful and irregular periods are often due to a deficiency of progesterone and an excess of estrogen. So estrogen-alone birth control pills — as are the most commonly prescribed pills on the market now — often compound the problem. That’s why some women have intolerable estrogen-induced side effects when they are on birth control pills like:

- Weight gain
- Mood swings
- Breast tenderness

What’s Wrong with the Pill?

Birth control pills, patches and shots promote continuously raised estrogen levels in a woman’s body, something that is neither natural nor safe. “A woman’s natural cycle is composed of rising and falling levels of estrogen and
progesterone. Birth control pills work by keeping estrogen at a sufficiently high level that they fool the body into thinking it is pregnant, therefore another pregnancy cannot occur,” Dr. Dane reminds us. The effects of continuously raised estrogen levels in the body include:

Increased risk of breast cancer
Increased risk of blood clotting, heart attack and stroke
Migraines
Gall Bladder disease
Increased blood pressure
Weight gain
Mood changes
Nausea, Irregular bleeding or spotting
Benign liver tumors
Breast tenderness

Most people don’t know that in order for the body to metabolize the pill, the liver requires extra amounts of the B-complex vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium and zinc. This means that if a woman has been on the pill for years at a time (as most American women are), she is creating a nutrient deficiency in her body–one of the two causes of all disease (the other being toxicity).

The Pill and Yeast Overgrowth

While yeast (candida albicans) generally makes its home in the digestive tract, common lifestyle choices like use of birth control pills, antibiotics, a refined grain and sugar diet, and high stress levels often lead to a candida overgrowth.
Toxins from yeast overgrowth can lead to a host of other problems in the body, presenting themselves in a variety of manners far beyond the common vaginal infection. Symptoms like migraines, infertility, fibromyalgia, endometriosis, psoriasis, PMS, depression and digestive disorders have all been linked to yeast overgrowth. The evidence clearly shows that when you address the yeast overgrowth, the symptoms improve or subside. Yeast overgrowth has been closely linked to estrogen dominance in a woman’s body caused by the pill.

Increased Risk of Cancer

The National Cancer Institute tells us that the risk of developing breast cancer is 1 in 8 for the general public.
But studies done by Chris Kahlenborn, M.D., from Altoona Hospital in Altoona Pennsylvania, indicate that “women who took oral birth control before having their first child have a 44-percent increased risk of developing breast cancer.”
That would bring your risk of developing breast cancer to 1 in 5-staggeringly high. “There’s tremendous vested interested — drug companies with a lot of money, government agencies who give a lot of money for contraception. It doesn’t make people look good when a study like this comes out,” Dr. Kahlenborn said.

Alternatives

There are many safe and effective contraceptives to consider:

Male Condoms: At a 98% effectiveness rate, they are nearly as effective as the pill.

Female Condoms: While these are not as familiar to most people, female condoms are 95% effective and are less likely to tear than male condoms. It consists of a small pouch that fits inside the vagina before sex.

Diaphragms: These must be fitted by a doctor and are 92-98% effective at preventing pregnancy. They are thin, soft rubber mounted on a ring which are inserted into the upper part of the vagina to cover the cervix and act as a barrier to sperm.

Cervical Cap: This is a heavy rubber cap that fits tightly over the cervix. It must be put into place by a doctor and can be left in place for 48 hours. These have a 91% effectiveness.

Natural Family Planning/Fertility Awareness: A great method for the female to track her natural cycle, identify times of fertility, treat premenstrual symptoms and evaluate the effects of stress.

Calendar Method: Abstention from sex during the week the woman is ovulating. This technique works best when a woman’s menstrual cycle is very regular. The calendar method doesn’t work very well for couples who use it by itself (about a 75 percent success rate), but it can be effective when combined with the temperature and mucus methods described below.

Temperature method: This is a way to pinpoint the day of ovulation so that sex can be avoided for a few days before and after. It involves taking the basal body temperature (your temperature upon first waking) each morning with an accurate “basal” thermometer, and noting the rise in temperature that occurs after ovulation. Illness or lack of sleep can change body temperature and make this method unreliable by itself, but when it is combined with the mucus method, it can be an accurate way of assessing fertility. The two methods combined can have a success rate as high as 98 percent.

Mucus method: This involves tracking changes in the amount and texture of vaginal discharge, which reflect rising levels of estrogen in the body. For the first few days after your period, there is often no discharge, but there will be a cloudy, tacky mucus as estrogen starts to rise. When the discharge starts to increase in volume and becomes clear and stringy, ovulation is near. A return to the tacky, cloudy mucus or no discharge means that ovulation has passed.

The Bottom Line

The risks involved with unnaturally altering a woman’s estrogen levels are far too great to be ignored. The estrogen dominance and nutrient deficiencies created by the pill cause a host of health problems that could easily be prevented by using safer, more natural means of contraceptives, or addressing the cause of irregular periods and cramping.

A woman can get pregnant when she is nursing. If you want to prevent pregnancy while nursing, you have a few options for birth control.

Sex After Childbirth

It used to be that women were advised to not have sex until six weeks after they gave birth, at their six week check-up. If you feel comfortable with this, then you can wait. However, the vagina typically heals after two weeks or so, and the cervix will also be closed after two weeks. If you haven’t had any complications, you can have sex as early as two weeks after you give birth. Ask your doctor if there are any reasons you shouldn’t. You might not want to have sex after you give birth: a woman’s hormones change dramatically after being pregnant, and sometimes they are not as sexually charged. If you are interested in sex, know that you could be fertile again as soon as two weeks after you have your baby. Be aware of this and choose your contraception wisely.

Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM)

This is sometimes also called the breastfeeding method. This is the method that has some people confused as to whether or not you can get pregnant while you are nursing. If you choose to nurse your baby and to not give your baby other milk, you can postpone your fertility.

This means you feed your baby every four hours (from both breasts). In the night, you have to feed your baby at least every six hours.

You can only use this method if you are nursing and if you haven’t had a period since your baby was born. This method only works for six months after the baby is born, and then you have to use another method.

Barrier Methods

Barrier methods of birth control won’t harm your nursing infant. These include condoms, female condoms, sponges, and prescription barrier based methods. With many prescription barrier methods, you have to wait until six to eight weeks after delivery: these include diaphragms, cervical caps, and shields.

If you are using a barrier based method with a spermicide, be sure that your vagina has healed thoroughly before using spermicide and having sex.

Hormonal Methods

You cannot take a combination hormone treatment (one that has estrogen, or ethinyl estradiol, in it) if you are nursing. This means that you cannot take combination pills, you can’t wear the Patch, and you can’t use a Vaginal Ring. The estrogen will be found in your breastmilk and affect your baby, and will also affect your milk supply.

You can, however, use progestin-only methods of birth control. This includes progestin-only pills, which are sometimes called mini-pills, Depo-Provera, and Mirena, a hormonal IUD (intrauterine device). Many doctors claim that progestins are too large to pass into breastmilk and will not affect your baby.

Other doctors, however, are wary about using progestin-only birth control. Dr. Cindy McClain Pearman, a family practice physician from Knoxville, Tennessee, claims that “Mini-pills and Depo are not supposed to affect [milk] supply, but I have seen it happen often, especially with the mini-pill.”

If you feel uncertain about using hormonal birth control methods, you can always choose another form of birth control, be it abstinence, a barrier method, or a fertility awareness method.

IUDs: IntraUterine Devices

You can use a copper IUD while you are nursing; it will not affect your breastmilk. An IUD is a device that is inserted by your doctor. It means that you won’t be able to conceive until you have it removed by a professional. Often, women who have just given birth report easier IUD insertions.

Fertility Awareness Methods

You can choose to track your fertility after your baby is born. This cannot happen until you have your first period. To learn about tracking your fertility, you will need to speak to an expert: ask your doctor, or local clinic, or women’s group. You will have to abstain from sex on your unsafe days, or plan to use a back-up method.

Having just had a baby can be a magical (but tiring) experience. Family planning can benefit you, your partner, and your baby. Choose the option that seems right for you.

Oral contraceptives consist of synthetic forms of two hormones produced naturally in the body: either progestin alone or estrogen and progestin. Estrogen and progestin regulate a woman’s menstrual cycle, and the fluctuating levels of these hormones play an essential role in fertility.

Health Benefits & Advantages

Birth control pills provide certain health benefits in addition to preventing pregnancy.
Highly effective reversible contraception. Birth control pills provide highly reliable contraceptive protection, exceeding 99%. Even when imperfect use (skipping an occasional pill) is considered, the BCPs are still very effective in preventing pregnancy. Menstrual cycle regulation. Birth control pills cause menstrual cycles to occur regularly and predictably. This is especially helpful for women with periods that come too often or too infrequently. Periods also tend to be lighter and shorter. Decrease risk of iron deficiency (anemia). Birth control pills reduce the amount of blood flow during the period. Less blood loss is helpful in preventing anemia. Reduce the risk of ovarian cysts. The risk of developing ovarian cysts is greatly reduced for birth control pills users because they help prevent ovulation. An ovarian cyst is a fluid – filled growth that can develop in the ovary during ovulation. Protection against pelvic inflammatory disease. Birth control pills provide some protection against pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Pelvic inflammatory disease is a serious bacterial infection of the fallopian tubes and uterus that can result in severe pain and potentially, infertility. Can improve acne. For moderate to severe acne, which over-the-counter and prescription medications can’t cure, birth control pills may be prescribed. The hormones in the birth control pill can help stop acne from forming. Reduce the risk of symptomatic endometriosis. Women who have endometriosis tend to have less pelvic pain and fewer other symptoms when they are on the Pill. Birth control pills won’t cure endometriosis but it may stop the disease from progressing. Birth control pills are the first-choice treatment for controlling endometriosis growth and pain. This is because birth control hormones are the hormone therapy that is least likely to cause bad side effects. Improve fibrocystic breasts. 70 – 90% of patients see improvement in the symptoms of fibrocystic breast conditions with use of oral contraceptives. Improved excess hair (hirsutism). Women with excessive facial or body hair may notice an improvement while taking the Pill, because androgens and testosterone are suppressed by oral contraceptives. High androgen levels can cause darkening of facial and body hair, especially on the chin, chest, and abdomen. Prevent ectopic pregnancy. Because birth control pills work primarily by suppressing ovulation, they effectively prevent ectopic pregnancy as well as normal pregnancy. This makes the pills an excellent contraceptive choice for women who are at particular risk for ectopic pregnancy, a potentially life-threatening condition. Help prevent osteoporosis. Studies show that by regulating hormones, the pill can help prevent osteoporosis, a gradual weakening of the bones. Do not affect future fertility. Using pills will not affect a womanТs future fertility, although it may take two to three months longer to get pregnant than if a woman did not take pills. Safe for many women. Research for over 40 years has proven long term safety.

Risks & Disadvantages

About 40% of women who take birth-control pills will have side effects of one kind or another during the first three months of use. The vast majority of women have only minor, transient side effects Some side effects are uncommon but may be dangerous.

Heart attack. The chances of birth control pills contributing to a heart attack are small unless you smoke. Studies have shown that smoking dramatically increases the risk of heart attack in women age 35 years or older, which is why pills are generally not prescribed to women in this age group who smoke. Blood pressure. Women taking birth control pills usually have a small increase in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, although readings usually remain within the normal range. Migraines and stroke. Women who take oral contraceptive and have a history of migraines have an increased risk of stroke compared to nonusers with a history of migraine. Blood clots (Venous thromboembolism). Women who use birth control pills are at a slightly increased risk of having a blood clot in the legs or lungs. Studies consistently show that the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is two to six times higher in oral contraceptive users than in nonusers. The risk of blood clots is highest in women with clotting disorders or who have previously had a deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. Other risk factors include obesity, older age, having several family members who’ve had blood clots before old age, air travel, and having to lie or sit for a prolonged period, as you might after major surgery. Headaches. Headaches may start in women who have not previously had headaches, or can get worse in those who do. Depression. Depression (sometimes severe) and other mood changes may occur. Nausea and vomiting. This side effect usually goes away after the first few months of use or can be prevented by taking the pill with a meal. Breast tenderness. Your breasts may become tender or may get larger. Breast tenderness is relatively common during the first month of BCPs and uncommon thereafter. Breakthrough bleeding or spotting. Spotting or bleeding between menstrual periods is very common in the first cycle of pills or if pills are missed or taken late. Decreased enjoyment of sex. Some women experience a decreased interest in sex or a decreased ability to have orgasms. Weight gain. Some women report slight weight gain. Weight gain is often caused by fluid retention or estrogen-induced fat deposits in the thighs, hips, and breasts. Weight gain may also be related to a reduction in physical activity or increased intake of food. In some women the androgenic effects from the progestins in their OCs can increase their appetite. Chloasma. Darkening of the skin on the upper lip, under the eyes, or on the forehead (chloasma). This may slowly fade after you stop taking the pills, but in most cases, it is permanent. Other medications. Birth control pills may not be as effective if you are taking certain medications. Many medications, including antibiotics, antifungals, anticonvulsants, herbal drugs like St. John’s Wort, can change the amount of the pill hormones absorbed by the stomach and the metabolism of these hormones. Not suitable for everyone. Some women should not take pills if they have specific health conditions, including some types of diabetes, liver disease, cardiovascular disease. Women with risk factors for heart disease, such as those with high blood pressure or who are obese, are also at higher risk when on the Pill. Must be taken every day. You must remember to take the pills at the same time every day. Pills must be taken every day, even if a woman does not have intercourse that day. Must use a secondary form of birth control for the initial seven days of use. Diarrhea or vomiting. Anything that makes the pill go through your system too fast can make the pill not work as well because it was not absorbed or, worse, if it is lost in the vomit. Requires a prescription. Cost. The pill costs more than some other methods.

There are a number of methods that women can use that can prevent themselves from becoming pregnant. One such supposedly permanent method is known as Essure. Essure is a mechanical spring-like device which works with the body to create a natural barrier and so prevent a pregnancy from occurring. The filaments within the device cause the body to produce scar tissue which provides that barrier.

The main reasons why so women are choosing to undergo this procedure to prevent a pregnancy in the future are as follows:-

1. You do not need to be placed under general anesthesia to have the procedure carried out as no cutting needs to take place. This also means that in most cases the procedure can be carried out in your doctor’s office. However, you may be given certain medications, like a local anesthesia, to numb your cervix, to help relax your body, and to minimize pain.

2. Because there is no need for general anesthesia, recovery time from the procedure is a lot quicker. In most cases women are able to resume what they do on a daily basis the day after the procedure has been carried out.

3. Whereas patches, rings, birth control pills and some types of IUD have hormones, the Essure device does not. No hormones means it should not interfere with your natural menstrual cycle. In most cases, women who have undergone this procedure have found that their periods remain the same as they were previous to the device being fitted.

Although the Essure device is a relatively new form of permanent birth control, on the surface it looks pretty good to meet that purpose. However, if you should decide that you would like children in the future after having the Essure device fitted, you can. You have the choice of undergoing IVF treatment which can prove very expensive indeed. There is also some potential risk to a fetus from the Essure device hanging out in the uterus meaning that with the expense of the procedure, IV may not be your best option.

The other choice you have is to undergo a sterilization reversal procedure. Women are coming forward now wanting such a sterilization reversal as they have changed their minds about wanting another child. In fact women under 30 are much more likely to regret having undergone sterilization which is what a permanent form of birth control like Essure is considered to be.

Should you choose to have more children following fitting of this device, then you will need to have it removed. To do this, a tubal surgeon will need to perform a procedure known as tubouterine implantation. This procedure is surgery unlike the Essure implantation and does require general anesthesia.

Basically, the surgeon performing the operation will need to cut out this device which is causing the blockage in the fallopian tubes. This will entail removing the part of the fallopian tubes where it was implanted as well as part of the uterus. A new opening has to be made into the uterus to allow the remaining part of the fallopian tubes to be implanted into the uterine cavity. The more of the fallopian tubes that remains intact the greater the chance you have of conceiving naturally.

Birth control is very important in the modern society. This is because more and more people are choosing to take charge of their lives and determine the number of children they wish to have if at all. Birth control has helped many people and couples in society bring up healthy families reducing the load of having too many children who would otherwise be neglected.

However, choosing a birth control method can prove to be a very daunting task. Every person wants to choose a method that will be suitable for them. For this reason, it is vital for you to know what to consider when you are choosing a method of birth control. The following factors should be considered and when you have evaluated different outcomes and considered side factors, you will be in a position to make a good decision that you will not regret.

• Health risks As you well know, there are many birth control methods that might do you more harm than good; especially if you have a medical condition. For example, hormonal birth control methods like the combined estrogen and progestin is not recommended for women who are over the age of 35. Habits like smoking will further compromise the effect of certain methods with regard to birth control. Women who smoke should not use the combined hormonal methods due to health risks. Also, women who have a history of diabetes, high blood pressure, blood clots and even migraines should seek medical help when it comes to choosing the right method.

• Your return to fertility is also a very important factor to consider. This is because there are methods of birth control which will take away fertility for a longer time than you anticipated. Such methods include a shot of Depo-Provera. This progestin-only method has been reported to cause a lot of heartache to women who may end up loosing their fertility altogether. It is vital for you to consider a method that will enable you conceive at the time you wish to conceive.

• Effectiveness is the other great factor to consider. Every individual or couple wants to use a method that will guarantee good results. It is not always possible to have full guarantees with various birth control methods but, there are those that are more effective than others. Hormonal implants and injections top the list when it comes to effectiveness. Birth control pills, patches, rings and others follow. Methods like use of condoms, spermicides and diaphragms are moderately effective compared to the other methods. Your choice should be effective when it comes to preventing pregnancy.

• Protection from sexually transmitted diseases is also very important. It might even be more important than the risk of getting pregnant because your life is at stake. There are effective methods of birth control that will not do you justice when it comes to protecting you from diseases transmitted sexually. The use of condoms is the leading method when it comes to this form of protection. Therefore, it is wise to use a combination of various methods to protect yourself effectively from pregnancy and from contracting sexually transmitted diseases.

• Permanence is another key point to consider. You want a method that will serve you in a duration that is most suitable. For those who do not want any children or do not want more children, a permanent method like female tubal ligation or male vasectomy will be just right. However, if you do not want to do away with your fertility, it is advisable to stick to the more temporary methods of birth control.

• Finally, it is vital to consider other benefits that a birth control method can bring. For example, there are hormonal methods that have been seen to be effective against acne. Others have been seen to reduce menstrual cramping and pain. Let your health care provider guide you into making the best decisions with this regard.

Keep in mind that you want the methods to work for you. If you have a method that is doing the opposite, it is time to re-evaluate and consider the above factors. Chances are that there will be a method or methods that will work great to help you avoid unwanted pregnancy as well as sexually transmitted diseases.