What Is Progesterone Used For?
January 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Progesterone is a hormone produced by a woman’s body. Here are some ways that Progesterone is used.
Women’s ovaries make two hormones - estrogen and progesterone. An easy way to remember what progesterone does is to break the word down. Pro (for), and gesterone (pregnancy/gestation) - it supports pregnancy.
Progesterone is a progestogen. Progestogens are a group of hormones which work in a similar way to progesterone - but only progesterone itself is natural. All the others in this group are synthetic. If progesterone is taken in the form of medication by mouth, the liver quickly breaks it down.
In 1934 a synthetic form was created to get round this problem. There are now over 10 synthetic progesterones available. The newest is a micronized version. Micronized means that the progesterone has been broken down into microscopic particles and avoids breakdown by the liver.
What Are Progestogens Used For?
If a woman has a condition which leads to her ovaries failing to work, natural progesterone won’t be made in sufficient quantities. Progestogens can be given to take their place. They can also help to treat abnormal bleeding from the uterus, PMS and in conjunction with HRT. They are probably best known for their use in birth control pills.
The Use Of Progestogens In HRT
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is recommended for women going through menopause or for those who have suffered damage to their ovaries. However, it is a controversial issue. The use of HRT implies that the fall in estrogen during menopause is a deficiency but menopause is a naturally occurring condition. It may actually be helping to protect the body.
For instance, it is known that estrogen can help the growth of certain breast cancers. Breast cancer is more prevalent in women around menopause age. So having a lower amount of estrogen in the bloodstream could be the body’s own protection against breast cancer.
At one time, the media portrayed HRT as a necessary wonder-drug but evidence regarding its true benefits and safety is conflicting. However, many women have flourished on it.
HRT contains estrogen and if you have not had a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) it will also contain progesterone. This is because estrogen supplements given on their own can trigger uterine cancer but if a progestogen is given with it, that risk is virtually eliminated.
Estrogen is able to lower the risk of heart disease by increasing HDL (a ‘good’ cholesterol) but synthetic progestogens seem to lower this benefit - with the exception of the new, micronized form.
Progesterone and PMS
Pre Menstrual Syndrome (PMS) can make life a misery. It is thought that PMS is caused either by a lack of progesterone, the actual drop of progesterone levels or by the fluctuating ratio of progesterone to estrogen.
Both natural and synthetic progesterones can be used in an effort to treat PMS. Natural progesterone is chemically processed from yams. It’s given by suppositories (vaginal or rectal) or in the form of an injection. This is because it won’t absorb if taken by mouth - so avoid any ‘non-prescription’ remedies containing extracts of wild or Mexican yam. It’s physically impossible for them to work if swallowed.
Progestogens have been regularly prescribed for the treatment of PMS for the last 35 years. However, the British Medical Association still does not officially recommend them as the majority of studies have not found progesterone to have any meaningful affect. Nevertheless, many women claim that it has helped them.
Side Effects Of Progestogens
- Don’t use if you have ever had blood clots in your legs or liver disease.
- Don’t take in pregnancy unless continually monitored by a doctor.
- It may also cause bloating, tender breasts, weight gain, headache, moodiness and irregular vaginal bleeding.
To learn more about progesterone hormone therapy in menopause, click here
Birth Control and Perimenopause: When Do I Stop Taking the Pill?
January 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment
If you are approaching menopause, now is a good time to review your birth control options.
Perimenopause is the time just before menopause. Officially, menopause starts the year after you have finished menstruating, and perimenopause starts three to five years earlier. As your body changes, should you be reconsidering your birth control options?
So you’re in your late forties, or your fifties. Your body is acting differently. You aren’t sure if the changes are your birth control or your body, how do you react? If you are still getting your period, you can still get pregnant. You should still use birth control until a year after your last period, because often periods become irregular and have a longer time between them during perimenopause. If you have been relying on fertility awareness based methods of birth control, they will no longer work, because you will no longer be able to track your cycle accurately. If you are using barrier based methods of birth control, then you can continue using your regular method (diaphragm, sponge, condoms, etc). The difficulty at perimenopause comes if you are using hormonal birth control, such as the pill, the patch, or the vaginal ring among others.
Some doctors recommend switching birth control pills to a low-dose birth control pill at perimenopause. This would mean switching to a pill that has 20 micrograms of estrogen (such as Alesse or Loestrin), instead of the normal 30 to 50 micrograms of estrogen in a combination pill. The benefits of changing to a lower dose hormonal birth control are that you will still be protected against pregnancy, and your final periods will probably be more regular. Many women find that their side effects are fewer with lower doses of estrogen. NuvaRing is a vaginal ring that is inserted once a month and removed 21 days later; it also has a lower dose of estrogen than most birth control pills.
You are going to have to stop taking birth control at some point in your life. In the past, doctors would randomly choose when to stop you on birth control and when to begin you on hormone replacement therapy for menopause. This often happens around the age of 50. Now, doctors can measure your FSH, or follicle-stimulating-hormone to tell if you are in menopause. This way you can switch hormone therapies directly when it suits your body.
However, being medicated on hormones your entire life is not appealing to many women. You might choose to change to alternative forms of birth control. These include getting an IUD, or switching to a barrier method of birth control (like a cervical cap, condoms, etc.).
Going off birth control can cause difficulties for some women. A woman’s body can become accustomed to being on contraceptive pills for years. It will take months for the pill to leave your body. Your body will learn to create different hormone levels for you.
There are many natural ways to deal with the side effects of perimenopause. The most important thing to remember is to maintain a balanced diet and exercise. It sounds overly simple, but for most of us, it can be one of the biggest challenges we face in our busy lives. Proper diet and exercise can help minimize side effects of perimenopause, and it will help you to feel better about yourself.
If you want to try going off birth control pills, you can stop at any time (though many women choose to finish one monthly cycle before ending. Try lowering your caffeine and alcohol intake. Other women use progesterone-cream to help lessen their side effects.
Perimenopause and menopause is a time of great change in a woman’s life. This is a time to step back and begin listening to your body. Many women rush around their lives putting everyone else first: take this time to improve your own life by talking to your doctor and making informed decisions about your hormone use during perimenopause.
For more information on birth control, including hormonal, barrier-based, and biological methods, and more information on your fertility, visit The Guide to Birth Control
Birth Control Natural Supplement
January 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Today there are many options for birth control from pills, patches, devices and even natural birth control supplements. Regardless of the option you choose, you should have a good knowledge of the risks associated with it.
Birth control methods have been used by women since ages. They have used herbs to control fertility. Family planning has always been widely practiced by men and women since ages. The difference is that in early times people used birth control methods that were risky and caused death to a number of women. They were dangerous and ineffective. But today they involve less risk with it.
Today medical science has endowed women with various choices when it comes to birth control such as “the pill”, Norplant capsules, Depo-Provera, the female condom, diaphragm, cervical cap, intrauterine device (IUD) and sterilization. Most of these alternatives are convenient and easy and women do not face many problems. But there are various medications, supplements and other substances that have been said to worsen high blood pressure (hypertension). And few women do have serious problems when no proper advice is taken from the medical provider. The birth control methods especially the pills can cause migraines, yeast infections, vitamin deficiencies, ectopic pregnancies and change in moods. There are few serious problems also associated with it such as increased risks for cardiovascular disease and cancer. As a result some women are going for something natural, for something that has no chemicals, no side effects and a surprisingly low risk of pregnancy.
Years back abstinence that is having no sexual intercourse was practiced by many. They did have sex when they wanted but kept them away from having sex during the days of ovulation in a woman. They called it the “rhythm cycle”. A woman would know that she is most likely to get pregnant by observing her own body and menstrual cycle. This method is still used in today’s modern world known as FAM (fertility awareness method) that help women to know when ovulation is coming and is likely to get pregnant and as such refrain from sexual intercourse. Although such technique is not dangerous it is not 100 % effective. But there are some old methods that cause great damage and can even cause death.
In third world countries where use of contraceptives is not common, people use methods that are dangerous and ineffective. They also use herbal supplements for birth control that might have severe side effects. Although not all herbal birth supplements are harmful yet there is some risk associated unless one does not have complete knowledge about it. The use of natural supplements which has some extracts from plants does not mean that they are 100% safe. Such natural supplements can cause some allergies and other problems. Therefore it is always recommended to go for the modern methods of birth control and if you opt for natural method then there should be complete knowledge of the natural supplement. You should be aware of the risk factors associated with it and should not be used blindly.
Find more information visit: Birth Control Natural Supplement
Birth Control Effectiveness: Grapefruit and Other Dangers that Lower Contraceptive Effectiveness
January 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Foods, medications and even your storage area can lower your birth control’s effectiveness. Find out how you can keep your contraceptive at peak level.
Do you drink grapefruit juice every morning? Have you taken St. John’s wort recently? Hormonal birth control pills can interact with many other things. Find out what you are doing that might lower your birth control’s effectiveness even if you didn’t know.
Timing. It is important to take your birth control pill at the same time every day. Aim to take it within the same hour, if possible. This is particularly important for progestin-only pills. If you are constantly late with your pills, choose another time that is more convenient for you. Consider setting your watch to beep, or another similar reminder to help you take your pills at the right time.
Storage. Don’t store your medicine someplace that is too hot or too cold. You want a place that is out of direct sunlight, such as a drawer. Heat and cold can affect different medications different ways, and often they can lower the effectiveness.
Birth control pills, like all other kinds of pills, are a type of medication. This means that you need to always inform your doctor and pharmacist of what kind of birth control you are on. This is to help you avoid any complications or bad interactions between drugs. Here are some things that interact with birth control.
Some antibiotics. Rifampin, or Rifapentine is an antibiotic generally used to treat tuberculosis. Other antibiotics are generally fine when you are on the pill, however. Demeclocyclene and doxycyclene are two other antibiotics that can interfere with your birth control. Ask your doctor for other alternatives, and make sure that you get prescribed something that won’t interfere with your contraceptive plan.
St. John’s Wort. This is an herbal remedy that you can buy at any pharmacy. It is not prescription or over the counter. It helps combat depression. However, it also lessens the effectiveness of birth control, and as such, should not be taken without consulting a health care professional.
Grapefruit and Grapefruit Juice. Grapefruit contains a compound that slows the absorption of estrogen hormones to the body. This means that it does not affect progestin-only pills.
Antifungal medications. Certain medications that are taken orally to treat yeast infections can disrupt oral contraceptives. This includes griseofulvin.
Antihistamines. There is currently a debate in the medical community if anti-allergy medications, or antihistamines can be linked to the failure of birth control.
Anticonvulsants. Many medications taken to prevent seizures can lessen the effectiveness of birth control pills. Speak to your doctor before dealing with these.
Some other drugs that might interact with your birth control include corticosteroids, bronchidilators, and certain anxiety medications. These are not entirely confirmed, so ask your health care professional about interactions.
These interactions apply to other methods of hormonal birth control as well, including the Patch, the Vaginal Ring, and Depo-Provera.
Just as your other medication can affect your birth control, remember that your birth control can also affect your other medication. Avoiding negative drug interactions is important for you on both counts, so always ask your doctor or pharmacist about drug interactions when you get a new prescription.
For more information on all types of birth control, including hormonal, barrier-based (condoms, etc) and more, visit The Guide to Birth Control
Are Generic Contraceptives as Good as Brand Name Contraceptives
January 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Today there are many options for birth control; many seem to have a brand name and a generic version. If you are using oral contraceptives, you should speak with your doctor about the effectiveness of generic contraceptives.
Birth control is something that needs to be effective. In choosing their oral contraceptives, women have a large array of medications to choose from. Is choosing a generic contraceptive as good as choosing a brand name?
The FDA has different rules for generic drugs than for the originals. When first introduced to the market, drugs have to undergo a series of tests to make sure that they not only do what they allege, but also to make sure that they don’t have unpleasant or dangerous side effects. Generic drugs do not undergo such stringent testing procedures.
The FDA requires that generic drugs prove that they are therapeutically equivalent to the originator drug. This means that generic drugs have to prove pharmaceutical equivalency and bioequivalency. Pharmaceutical equivalency means that the drugs have the same active ingredient, in the same dosages, and delivered in the same way. Bioequivalency means that it is not absorbed at a different rate or strength than the originator drug. To prove pharmaceutical equivalency and bioequivalency, often a study is carried out with only 20 or 30 women.
Bioequivalency requires that the generic drug be absorbed at least 80% of the strength of the originator drug. The generic drug must also be absorbed almost at the same rate as well. For most drugs, this is not a problem. However, for low-dose pills, this can cause the pills to be not efficient.
With low-dose oral contraceptives (ones that have only 20 micrograms of ethinyl estradiol), the effectiveness of generic drugs is not adequately tested by the FDA. Brand name drugs have to be within 10% effectiveness, and so a brand name low-dose pill would still prevent pregnancy. However, with a generic low-dose pill, the pill could theoretically have a low as 14.4 micrograms of ethinyl estradiol and still be considered suitable by FDA guidelines. A dosage this low will not prevent contraception. This means that if you are choosing a low-dose contraceptive, as many women are, you are better to choose a brand name alternative.
With other oral contraceptives, ones that have 25 micrograms of ethinyl estradiol and above, you can typically choose to use generic brands with no worries about effectiveness. This can be a more cost-effective way to prevent pregnancies.
In every state, pharmacists are allowed to (and sometimes legislated to) give generic equivalents for brand name drugs. This is very helpful for most types of drugs, but with low-dose birth control, it can be disastrous. The FDA has considered mandating against the substitution of generic birth control for brand name birth control. As of yet, it is still up to you, your doctor, and your pharmacist to determine what brand (or no-name) birth control you get.
If you are using other types of prescription contraception, such as the injection, patch or vaginal ring, there are no generic equivalencies available currently. The brand names available for the progestin injection are Depo-Provera and Depo-subQ Provera, the patch is Ortho Evra, and the vaginal ring is NuvaRing.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your oral contraceptive prescription to see if you have a generic or brand name pill, and to reassure yourself that you are getting the protection you need.
For more information about birth control options, visit The Guide to Birth Control