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

Share This

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

Share This

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

Share This

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

Share This

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

Share This

We all are aware of these facts and do use condoms for safe sex, but how many of us know how to use a condom correctly. Many people both men and women feel shy or embarrassed to ask about putting on a condom. They will use it incorrectly but never talk about it to friends due to the fear being ridiculed by friends. But we should be aware of the proper way of wearing a condom otherwise it will be of no use.

Most of the people make mistakes while putting on the condom. The male condoms are worn on the penis while female condoms are to be used in the vagina or rectum.

There are a few points to keep in mind before using a condom and while putting on the condom.

• Check the expiry date of the condom; you should not use condoms of expiry dates.
• Open the condom pack with care. Make sure you do not open it with your teeth or put a nail on it as it will damage the condom.
• Do not put condoms in your pockets as they are to be put in a cool place.
• Make sure you do not enter the penis in the vagina before putting on a condom.

While putting on the condom you should keep in mind the following points.

• See as to which way the condom rolls and make sure that you are wearing it correctly.
• The condom should unroll smoothly and easily from the rim to the outside.
• Put the condom when the penis is erect.
• While using a latex condom never use oil based lubrication as it weakens the latex.
• Always use water based lubrication with latex condoms.
• After the ejaculation remove the penis immediately and the condom carefully while the penis is still erect.
• Do not use both the male and the female condom together. The male condom could be pulled out or the female condom could be pushed in.
• See to it that no semen is spilled while removing the condom.
• Do not reuse a condom.

While using a female condom you should keep the following points in mind.

• Check the expiry date of the condom; you should not use condoms of expiry dates.
• Open the condom pack with care. Make sure you do not open it with your teeth or put a nail on it as it will damage the condom.
• Do no use the used condom again.
• The female condom is inserted in the vagina with the help of a finger. The flexible inner can be squeezed in with the help of the thumb or the middle finger.
• Insert the ring as far as possible into the vagina.
• Make sure the outer ring of the condom remains outside and is not pushed inside during the event.

We at Keep Condom are providing you the choices you can make, to select your condom brands according to your needs.

Share This

Birth control by injection is an effective alternative used which has its own advantages and disadvantages. The most effective and popular form of this type of contraceptive is Depo-Provera. This injection works in the same way as the hormonal pill Progestogen. It does not contain estrogen.

DMPA, Depo-Provera is an injection of synthetic hormone medroxyprogesterone acetate which is given by health care professional and is injected into the woman’s buttocks or the arm muscle. The pregnancy prevention begins after twenty four hours of the injection. This injection prevents the ovaries from releasing eggs. The woman has to take the injection once every twelve weeks. That means this injection can be given every three months and you do not have to take it regularly like the pills.

Advantages: DMPA is extremely effective as the failure rate within the first year of use is only 0.3%. It is advantageous as it does not produce any side effects as estrogen such as blood clotting. Irregular periods become regular. It also lowers the risk of certain endometrial and ovarian cancers.

Disadvantages: The injection has the disadvantage that it does not provide protection against sexually transmitted diseases. DMPA can delay the return of fertility if women have used it for a longer period. Problems such as menstrual irregularities, headaches, dizziness, nausea, hair loss, depression and weight gain can continue for about one year after the last injection. There are some serious risks associated with Depo-Provera such as loss of bone density which could result in osteoporosis. This injection is not recommended for long time use as it causes deficiency of calcium causing osteoporosis. The women who are on this injection are advised to take a lot of calcium. Depo-Provera is especially not recommended for young females as their bones are still growing.

Lunelle Lunelle, a monthly birth control shot has both synthetic estrogen and progesterone hormones. It can be injected into the arm, thigh or rear. Lunelle prevents eggs from being released from the ovaries. It thickens the cervical mucus and makes it difficult for the sperm to enter the uterus. You do not have to take it regularly as the pill. Although it is 99% effective it does not protect against HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. It is taken within a month. If the shot is given after a month (33 days) then it may not be effective. It is recommended to take the next shot within 28 to 30 days. If you are unable to take the injection within a month then you should use condoms and spermecides.

One of the common side effective of Lunelle is irregular bleeding which could range from no bleeding to heavy bleeding. There are other side effectives such as weight gain, fluid retention, nausea, breast tenderness, headaches, nervousness, mood changes or depression, change in sexual desire, dizziness, rash, or vaginal infections. Lunelle should not be used by women who have high blood pressure, breast or uterine cancer, diabetes, allergies to hormones and women who have history of blood clots.

Find more information visit: Birth Control by Injection

Share This

It is required by both partners to discuss birth control as both share responsibility if an unwanted pregnancy occurs. Moreover it is also important to have a discussion for safe sex, to keep safe from sexually transmitted diseases. Few individuals feel awkward or embarrassed to have such a discussion. Talking about contraception makes couples prepared for sex and as such they feel they undergo a kind of internal conflict about engaging into sex. According to them it spoils the excitement and pleasure of enjoying unplanned sex which actually is a myth. Most importantly health comes above pleasure. Therefore it is important for couples to discuss about choosing various birth control options.

There are many contraceptives designed for use in the woman and as such many couples believe that birth control is not the male partner’s responsibility. Discussions about Birth control are important as there are a variety of alternatives for both men and women. They need decide and choose the method that suits their health. The only 100% effective method that prevents pregnancy and STD is abstinence. If you have health problems, discussions about birth control drugs or side-effects become necessary. Consult your physician or pharmacist about it.

Birth control pills prevent unwanted pregnancy and are preferred by many women. But these pills have there side effects and they do not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases. Therefore a discussion about pills is a must especially if you fear the risk of a sexual disease and have sex with more than one partner. Some pills have estrogen/progestin combinations, while others are progestin-only pills. There are certain side effects of birth control pills such as headaches, breast swelling, nausea, weight gain and depression. It is crucial to find out what works or does not work for a particular woman as such discussions and consultation cannot be ignored.

Condoms are used as a barrier method by both men and women that protect partners from diseases like HIV and prevents from being parents. But not all condoms provide complete safety. There are male condoms made of latex and polyurethane that prevent pregnancy by acting as a barrier against sperm. Condoms are inexpensive and are easily available in drug stores and vending machines. They do not require doctor’s prescription. They pose few health risks compared to hormonal methods.

The female barrier methods include the diaphragm, cervical cap, female condom, and contraceptive sponge. These methods work by acting as a barrier to sperm. These methods are difficult to use correctly and are ineffective if not placed properly cause pregnancy. The failure rate is more in teen than women when females go for these barrier methods. Knowing what you want and desire is necessary as it is only then you would opt a particular method. These methods do protect from STDs if used properly.

Birth control methods like the IUD or the Pill are not sufficient in a situation of multiple or frequently changing partners because they do not protect against STD’s though they prevent pregnancy.

Discussions about birth control should be for prevention and protection, to enhance communication about other sexual concerns, such as the role of sex in a relationship, likes and dislikes, and prevention of sexually transmitted infections.

Find more information visit: Discussions about Birth Control

Share This

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.

For more information on all of the above methods of birth control, visit The Guide to Birth Control

Share This

Birth control is now not only a matter of prevention of pregnancy but also protecting from AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. More than one method may be needed to protect you from pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

There are a number of birth control alternatives approved by the FDA such as males and females condoms available over the counter, vaginal spermidices, birth control pills, diaphragms and intrauterine (IUDs) prescribed by the doctor and injectable hormones and hormonal implants.

According to the health of the person, frequency of sexual activity, the number of partners and whether to have or not have children, one has to choose the particular birth control method.

Barrier method
Among the different birth control alternatives the easily available and convenient method is the barrier method. This method includes the use of male and female condoms, the diaphragm, cervical cap and sponge.

The barrier method includes the use of condoms that are available without a prescription.

The condoms are intended for one time use. It may slip out of place if used with together with a male condom.

Diaphragm
Then there is a diaphragm which is a soft, dome shaped rubber disc that fits into the vagina and covers the cervix. The diaphragm may be effective up to 95% if used in conjunction with an effective spermicide. The effectiveness is reduced if it is not used properly and if it is not used consistently. Care should be taken while fitting and removing the diaphragm. A diaphragm is available by prescription.

Cervical cap
Similar to the diaphragm is an apparatus the cervical cap. It is a soft rubber cup with a round rim. Both can be obtained through the Women’s Health Service or the Student Health Center. It is only available by prescription and is used with spermicide cream or jelly.

Spermicides
Spermicides work best when used with another barrier method, such as the diaphragm or condom. Because of their ability to coat the vagina and cervix, foams are considered superior to the vaginal suppositories or tablets.

The IUD
The IUD or ‘intra-uterine-device’ is a small device worn in a woman’s uterus. It is made of plastic and some release a hormone or is combined with copper which prevents the egg from attaching to the walls of the uterus. Some do not exert any chemical force on the uterus at all. The IUD must be changed at certain intervals and is considered to be 97% effective.

The Pill
We also have hormonal medicines used as an alternative birth control that prevent pregnancy. Known as “the pill”, this form of birth control prevents the release of the egg from the ovaries. They may contain combination of estrogen and progestin or progestin alone. Also called oral contraceptives they provide additional benefits such as making periods more regular and lighter. It also protects against pelvic inflammatory disease, is effective against an infection of the fallopian tubes or uterus that is a major cause of infertility in women, and effective against ovarian and endometrial cancers. If a woman takes the pills regularly and as prescribed there is extreme low chance of getting pregnant.

Whatever alternatives being used both the partners should always consult about the pros and cons of it.

Find more information visit: Birth Control Alternatives

Share This