Today Contraceptive Sponge
January 23, 2008 | Leave a Comment
At one time, the Today Sponge was the second most popular form of birth control on the market. The doughnut shape, and soft, pliable material, made it comfortable to wear for extended periods during which a woman could choose to have sex if she wanted, and still have as much protection as a diaphragm.
But American Home Products, the original manufacturers, pulled the product off the shelf in 1995, after 12 years, because the FDA found bacterial contamination in the water used by the plant that manufactured the sponges. The company did not consider it profitable enough to refurbish the factory where the sponges were made.
After that, the sponge remained in limbo, despite such high profile incidents as its use in an episode of the sitcom “Seinfeld”, and the thousands of message boards on the Internet, where women bemoaned its loss. In 1998, Allendale Pharmaceuticals purchased the rights to the name and formula, as well as the machinery that produced them.
And so, with FDA approval of their own production facilities, Allendale released Today Sponge to the market once more.
The Today Sponge works through a spermicide known as nonoxynol-9. Sponges are dampened, and inserted in the vagina, up to 24 hours before having sex, and are left in place even if having intercourse more than once. It is recommended they be removed 30 hours after insertion, with at least a six hour lapse after last having sex.
Sponges should not be used during your period, after having a child or miscarriage, or if you have been diagnosed with TSS. Previous implications that the sponge caused TSS, were not due to the product itself, but to improper usage.
Learn more about the Today Sponge and purchase it online by clicking here.
Ortho Tricyclen Side Effects & Information
January 23, 2008 | Leave a Comment
As use of birth control pills go, Ortho Tricyclen is currently one of the most popular on the market, both for its basic purpose, and for other beneficial effects which include control of acne.
Ortho Tricyclen works on a progestin known as norgestimate. This particular progestin has little chance of stimulating the development of male characteristics in women who take it. Studies have shown that there are also fewer side effects than other brands of The Pill, while providing such benefits as reduction of the hormone that causes acne vulgaris in women.
This does not mean that it will cure acne for all women, nor that you should not try topical medications first. But if the acne is severe, any female over the age of 15 who has begun regular menstrual cycles, and is otherwise healthy with no potential drug interactions or medical conditions that would contraindicate its use, may take Ortho Tricyclen on their doctor’s advice.
In addition, Ortho Tricyclen can help to regulate periods, making them lighter, with less blood/iron loss to your body. Cramps can also be reduced or eliminated, as can the chances of developing ovarian cysts or ectopic pregnancies, since the pill works by preventing ovulation, and thickening the cervical mucous to prevent sperm from entering the uterus.
Long-term use of Ortho Tricyclen is medically safe for women of all ages, providing they do not experience any of the side effects listed on the package inserts. The possibility of weight gain does exist, as it does with all pills, but an equal number of women also find that they lose weight, so it is not a guaranteed side effect.
Click here to learn more about Ortho Tricyclen.
Plan B Morning After Pill
January 23, 2008 | Leave a Comment
As with any emergency situation, it is good to have a back-up, which is where the birth control Plan B, or levonorgestrel, got its name. This pill is for use in the event that your regular birth control methods have failed, such as when you forget a pill, or a condom breaks.
Of course, not everyone feels Plan B is a “back-up” or anything resembling birth control because it potentially destroys a fertilized egg which would grow into a baby. You need to decide your own moral standing on the subject.
To help you make an informed decision, here is more information about Plan B:
It must be remembered though, that like any birth control product, Plan B does not protect against HIV, or sexually transmitted diseases. Nor is it the pill RU486, which is the abortion pill. Plan B will not help if you are already pregnant, which a woman can be, and not know it. But in emergency circumstances, Plan B will protect against pregnancy, approximately 89% of the time if taken within 72 hours of having sex.
Levonorgestrel is the same ingredient used in birth control pills, however, the amount in the Plan B pill is significantly higher, and Plan B contains no estrogen, so there is no increased risk of estrogen-related problems.
There are few if any side effects, which are mostly the same as those that may occur from taking birth control pills, including headaches, nausea, dizziness and breast tenderness. But if you should be nauseous to the point of vomiting soon after taking Plan B, you should contact your doctor to see if you need to take a second pill.
Ideally, Plan B works best taken as soon as possible after having sex. While it works within a 72-hour time frame, the sooner the levonorgestrel gets into your system, the better your prevention will be. If you are a forgetful person with your regular birth control pills, or are concerned that an accident may occur over a holiday or other time when your doctor is not available, discuss with them the possibility of having a prescription on hand, should you need to use it.
Click here to learn more about Plan B.
Alesse Birth Control Information
January 23, 2008 | 2 Comments
Alesse is one of the more common brands of birth control pills available on the market. They have the standard composition of estrogen and progesterone, which are designed to stop a woman from ovulating, and which will also thicken the cervical mucous and impede the sperm’s ability to travel up into the uterus.
As with other birth control pills, it is usually prescribed as a 21 or 28-day program, in which you take a pill each day, then stop for seven, or continue on with the 7 specially colored pills which are basically place markers to ensure you remember to keep taking them.
Alesse should be taken no more than 24 hours apart, and at the same time every day. If you miss one, consult the package insert, a pharmacist or your doctor. While there are few bothersome side effects, taking them at night may prevent any significant disturbance from headaches or mild nausea.
Not all women are suited to taking birth control pills, and you should consult your physician to discuss whether Alesse is for you. A thorough medical history is necessary for them to assess the risks that Alesse, or any other birth control pill may pose.
Remember that other drugs, including some antibiotics can affect the performance of your pill. You should get a complete list from the doctor or pharmacist, to make sure that you understand the limits of the birth control pill, and what contraindications there are with other substances.
Women on Alesse or any other birth control pill are advised not to smoke, which has been proven to significantly increase the risk of heart attack or stroke while using birth control pills. The degree of risk rises with age and the amount smoked.
Ortho Evra Patch
January 23, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Ortho-Evra is currently the only birth control patch approved for use in the United States. Women who have trouble remembering the pill, even with a 28 day regimen, have turned to this for its convenience, and less fiddling with pills and calendars. However, there are some major differences.
In late November 2005, the Food and Drug Administration required the makers to change all information inserts, packaging and pamphlets to reflect the fact that use of the patch, exposes a woman to as much as 60% more estrogen than the use of a daily pill.
This move was made because of the association between high estrogen levels and the development of clots or strokes. While this is a medical fact, there is no evidence that the Ortho-Evra patch significantly increases a woman’s risks.
Birth control pills normally carry about 35 micrograms of estrogen, although some are as high as 50 micrograms for women whose bodies require it. The level is higher in the patch, and in addition, the hormone is absorbed and dispersed differently through the skin, than it is be ingesting the pill.
The convenience factor however, has made it quite popular. The patch is secure, and can be worn in the shower, bath, or swimming. If it should become partially dislodged for any reason, the wearer replaces it with a new one immediately, and if unsure of how long the skin contact was broken, uses additional birth control methods for one week, to protect against an unwanted pregnancy.
Click here to learn more about Ortho-Evra.