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Mistress Cupcakkes Captain
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 Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 1:00 pm
Birth control, sometimes synonymous with contraception, - as told by wikipedia.org is a regimen of one or more actions, devices, or medications followed in order to deliberately prevent or reduce the likelihood of pregnancy or childbirth.[citation needed] "Contraception" may refer specifically to mechanisms that are intended to reduce the likelihood of a sperm cell fertilizing the egg. Birth control is commonly used as part of family planning.*THE ULTIMATE 100% FORM OF PREGNANCY PREVENTION IS ABSTINANCE!*
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Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 2:17 pm
BARRIER METHODS  Condoms.A condom is a device most commonly used during sexual intercourse. It is put on a man's erect p***s and physically blocks ejaculated semen from entering the body of a sexual partner. Condoms are used to prevent pregnancy and transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs—such as gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV). Because condoms are waterproof, elastic, and durable, they are also used in a variety of secondary applications. These range from creating waterproof microphones to protecting rifle barrels from clogging.
In the modern age, condoms are most often made from latex, but some are made from other materials such as polyurethane, or lamb intestine. A female condom is also available, most often made of polyurethane. As a method of contraception, male condoms have the advantage of being inexpensive, easy to use, having few side-effects, and of offering protection against sexually transmitted diseases. With proper knowledge and application technique—and use at every act of intercourse—users of male condoms experience a 2% per-year pregnancy rate.
Condoms have been used for at least 400 years. Since the nineteenth century, they have been one of the most popular methods of contraception in the world. While widely accepted in modern times, condoms have generated some controversy. Improper disposal of condoms contributes to litter problems, and the Roman Catholic Church generally opposes condom use.Natural latexAn unrolled latex condomLatex has outstanding elastic properties: Its tensile strength exceeds 30 MPa, and latex condoms may be stretched in excess of 800% before breaking. In 1990 the ISO set standards for condom production (ISO 4074, Natural latex rubber condoms), and the EU followed suit with its CEN standard (Directive 93/42/EEC concerning medical devices). Every latex condom is tested for holes with an electrical current. If the condom passes, it is rolled and packaged. In addition, a portion of each batch of condoms is subject to water leak and air burst testing.
Latex condoms used with oil-based lubricants (e.g. vaseline) are likely to break or slip off due to loss of elasticity caused by the oils.SyntheticThe most common non-latex condoms are made from polyurethane. Condoms may also be made from other synthetic materials, such as AT-10 resin, and most recently polyisoprene.
Polyurethane condoms tend to be the same width and thickness as latex condoms, with most polyurethane condoms between 0.04 mm and 0.07 mm thick. Polyurethane is also the material of many female condoms.
Polyurethane can be considered better than latex in several ways: it conducts heat better than latex, is not as sensitive to temperature and ultraviolet light (and so has less rigid storage requirements and a longer shelf life), can be used with oil-based lubricants, is less allergenic than latex, and does not have an odor. Polyurethane condoms have gained FDA approval for sale in the United States as an effective method of contraception and HIV prevention, and under laboratory conditions have been shown to be just as effective as latex for these purposes.
However, polyurethane condoms are less elastic than latex ones, and may be more likely to slip or break than latex, and are more expensive.
Polyisoprene is a synthetic version of natural rubber latex. While significantly more expensive, it has the advantages of latex (such as being softer and more elastic than polyurethane condoms) without the protein which is responsible for latex allergies.LambskinCondoms made from one of the oldest condom materials, labeled "lambskin" (made from lamb intestines) are still available. They have a greater ability to transmit body warmth and tactile sensation, when compared to synthetic condoms, and are less allergenic than latex. However, there is an increased risk of transmitting STDs compared to latex because of pores in the material, which are thought to be large enough to allow infectious agents to pass through, albeit blocking the passage of sperm. Lambskin condoms are also significantly more expensive than other types.SpermicidalSome latex condoms are lubricated at the manufacturer with a small amount of a nonoxynol-9, a spermicidal chemical. According to Consumer Reports, spermicidally lubricated condoms have no additional benefit in preventing pregnancy, have a shorter shelf life, and may cause urinary-tract infections in women. In contrast, application of separately packaged spermicide is believed to increase the contraceptive efficacy of condoms.
Nonoxynol-9 was once believed to offer additional protection against STDs (including HIV) but recent studies have shown that, with frequent use, nonoxynol-9 may increase the risk of HIV transmission. The World Health Organization says that spermicidally lubricated condoms should no longer be promoted. However, they recommend using a nonoxynol-9 lubricated condom over no condom at all. As of 2005, nine condom manufacturers have stopped manufacturing condoms with nonoxynol-9, Planned Parenthood has discontinued the distribution of condoms so lubricated, and the Food and Drug Administration has proposed a warning regarding this issue.Causes of failure The Wikibook Sexual Health has a page on the topic of
Barrier Birth Control and Spermicide
Condoms may slip off the p***s after ejaculation, break due to improper application or physical damage (such as tears caused when opening the package), or break or slip due to latex degradation (typically from usage past the expiration date, improper storage, or exposure to oils). The rate of breakage is between 0.4% and 2.3%, while the rate of slippage is between 0.6% and 1.3%. Even if no breakage or slippage is observed, 1–2% of women will test positive for semen residue after intercourse with a condom. "Double bagging," using two condoms at once, also increases the risk of condom failure.
Different modes of condom failure result in different levels of semen exposure. If a failure occurs during application, the damaged condom may be disposed of and a new condom applied before intercourse begins - such failures generally pose no risk to the user. One study found that semen exposure from a broken condom was about half that of unprotected intercourse; semen exposure from a slipped condom was about one-fifth that of unprotected intercourse.
Standard condoms will fit almost any p***s, although many condom manufacturers offer "snug" or "magnum" sizes. Some manufacturers also offer custom sized-to-fit condoms, with claims that they are more reliable and offer improved sensation/comfort. Some studies have associated larger penises and smaller condoms with increased breakage and decreased slippage rates (and vice versa), but other studies have been inconclusive.
Experienced condom users are significantly less likely to have a condom slip or break compared to first-time users, although users who experience one slippage or breakage are more likely to suffer a second such failure. An article in Population Reports suggests that education on condom use reduces behaviors that increase the risk of breakage and slippage. A Family Health International publication also offers the view that education can reduce the risk of breakage and slippage, but emphasizes that more research needs to be done to determine all of the causes of breakage and slippage.
Among people who intend condoms to be their form of birth control, pregnancy may occur when the user has sex without a condom. The person may have run out of condoms, or be traveling and not have a condom with them, or simply dislike the feel of condoms and decide to "take a chance." This type of behavior is the primary cause of typical use failure (as opposed to method or perfect use failure).
Another possible cause of condom failure is sabotage. One motive is to have a child against a partner's wishes or consent. Some commercial sex workers from Nigeria reported clients sabotaging condoms in retaliation for being coerced into condom use. Placing pinholes in the tip of the condom is believed to significantly impact their effectiveness.Female Condoms.A female condom is a device that is used during sexual intercourse to prevent pregnancy and transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs—such as gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV). Invented by Danish MD Lasse Hessel, it is worn internally by the receptive partner and physically blocks ejaculated semen from entering that person's body. Female condoms have been available since 1988.EffectivenessSome early tests suggested the female condom offered better protection than male condoms, but real-world tests found the original FC to be less effective than male condoms at preventing pregnancy for most people:
Early tests:
A presentation at the 1990 International AIDS conference concluded, "exposure to semen was significantly less (p = .001 and p = .03) when WPC-333 was used than when the male condom was used."
A presentation at the 1989 International AIDS conference concluded that "WPC-333 had significantly fewer water leaks than the male condom at a p-value of .001. The combined probability of risks of leaks, tears and spillage inside the v****a using WPC-333 was 3.3%; the combined probability of risks using the male condom was 11.5%."
Real-world experiments:
The 1992 U.S. FDA approval of the Reality female condom required the label to compare the pregnancy rate for the female condom at 26% per year to a 15% annual rate for the male latex condom. This was based on a U.S. study of 200 women who used the device for six months. In the study, the six-month pregnancy rate was approximately 12.5 percent, or an estimated 26 percent per year. (This includes incorrect and inconsistent use of the condom.)
According to Contraceptive Technology: Eighteenth Revised Edition, the typical use failure rate for the first-generation female condoms lies at 21%. This means that of the women who used female condoms as their only form of birth control, 21 out of 100 became pregnant within one year. Of the women who used the female condom correctly, and used one at every act of intercourse, 5% became pregnant after one year. In comparison, the typical use failure rate for male condoms was 15%, while the perfect use failure rate was 2%.
The effectiveness of the female condom at preventing STDs has not been studied to the same extent as male condoms, however it has been put forth that it should have similar effectiveness to preventing pregnancy. Female condoms are better at preventing some STIs than the traditional condom, this is because they cover more skin, which is the main way skin-to-skin viruses are contracted, such as herpes. They are also dangerous for those who have polyurethane allergies. Sensitivities to silicone or polyurethane may also be a problem.
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Mistress Cupcakkes Captain
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Mistress Cupcakkes Captain
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Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 3:02 pm
HORMONAL METHODS Birth Control Pill.birth-control pill, or simply "the Pill", is a combination of an estrogen (oestrogen) and a progestin (progestogen), taken by mouth to inhibit normal female fertility. They were first approved for contraceptive use in the United States in 1960, and are a very popular form of birth control. They are currently used by more than 100 million women worldwide and by almost 12 million women in the United States. Usage varies widely by country,[3] age, education, and marital status: one quarter of women aged 16–49 in Great Britain currently use the Pill (combined pill or progestogen only pill ("minipill")), compared to only 1% of women in Japan.Use and packagingHalf-used blister pack of LevlenEDCombined oral contraceptive pills should be taken at the same time each day. If one or more tablets are forgotten for more than 12 hours, contraceptive protection will be reduced. Most brands of combined pills are packaged in one of two different packet sizes, with days marked off for a 28 day cycle. For the 21-pill packet, a pill is consumed daily for three weeks, followed by a week of no pills. For the 28-pill packet, 21 pills are taken, followed by week of placebo or sugar pills. A woman on the pill will have a withdrawal bleed sometime during the placebo week, and is still protected from pregnancy during this week.EffectivenessThe effectiveness of COCPs, as of most forms of contraception, can be assessed two ways. Perfect use or method effectiveness rates only include people who take the pills consistently and correctly. Actual use, or typical use effectiveness rates are of all COCP users, including those who take the pills incorrectly, inconsistently, or both. Rates are generally presented for the first year of use. Most commonly the Pearl Index is used to calculate effectiveness rates, but some studies use decrement tables.
The typical use pregnancy rate among COCP users varies depending on the population being studied, ranging from 2-8% per year. The perfect use pregnancy rate of COCPs is 0.3% per year.
Several factors account for typical use effectiveness being lower than perfect use effectiveness:
mistakes on the part of those providing instructions on how to use the method
mistakes on the part of the user
conscious user non-compliance with instructions.
For instance, someone using oral forms of hormonal birth control might be given incorrect information by a health care provider as to the frequency of intake, or by mistake not take the pill one day, or simply not bother to go to the pharmacy on time to renew the prescription.
COCPs provide effective contraception from the very first pill if started within five days of the beginning of the menstrual cycle (within five days of the first day of menstruation). If started at any other time in the menstrual cycle, COCPs provide effective contraception only after 7 consecutive days use of active pills, so a backup method of contraception must be used until active pills have been taken for 7 consecutive days. COCPs should be taken at approximately the same time every day.
Contraceptive efficacy may be impaired by: 1) missing more than one active pill in a packet, 2) delay in starting the next packet of active pills (i.e. extending the pill-free, inactive or placebo pill period beyond 7 days), 3) intestinal malabsorption of active pills due to vomiting or diarrhea, 4) drug interactions with active pills that decrease contraceptive estrogen or progestogen levels.Drug interactionsSome drugs reduce the effect of the Pill and can cause breakthrough bleeding, or increased chance of pregnancy. These include drugs such as rifampicin, barbiturates, phenytoin and carbamazepine. In addition cautions are given about broad spectrum antibiotics, such as ampicillin and doxycycline, which may cause problems "by impairing the bacterial flora responsible for recycling ethinylestradiol from the large bowel" (BNF 2003).
The traditional medicinal herb St John's Wort has also been implicated due to its upregulation of the P450 system in the liver.Side-effectsDifferent sources note different incidences of side effects. The most common side effect is breakthrough bleeding. A University of New Mexico Student Health Center webpage says the majority (about 60%) of women report no side effects at all, and the vast majority of those who do, have only minor effects.[64] A 1992 French review article said that as many as 50% of new first-time users discontinue the Pill before the end of the first year because of nuisance bleeding irregularity side effects such as breakthrough bleeding and amenorrhea.WeightThe same 1992 French review article noted that in the subgroup of adolescents 15–19 years of age in the 1982 National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) who had stopped taking the Pill, 20–25% reported they stopped taking the Pill because of either acne or weight gain, and another 25% stopped because of fear of cancer. A 1986 Hungarian study comparing two high-dose estrogen (both 50 µg ethinyl estradiol) pills found that women using a lower-dose biphasic levonorgestrel formulation (50 µg levonorgestrel x 10 days + 125 µg levonorgestrel x 11 days) reported a significantly lower incidence of weight gain compared to women using a higher-dose monophasic levonorgestrel formulation (250 µg levonorgestrel x 21 days).
Many clinicians consider the public perception of weight gain on the Pill to be inaccurate and dangerous. The aforementioned 1992 French review article noted that one unpublished 1989 study by Professor Elizabeth Connell at Emory University of 550 women found that 23% of the 6% of women who discontinued the Pill because of poor cycle control experienced subsequent unwanted pregnancies. A 2000 British review article concluded there is no evidence that modern low-dose pills cause weight gain, but that fear of weight gain contributed to poor compliance in taking the Pill and subsequent unintended pregnancy, especially among adolescents.SexualityCOCPs may affect a woman's sexuality positively or negatively. When using contraceptives such as the pill with very low method failure rates (less than 1% per year), many women enjoy sex more because of reduced anxiety over pregnancy. COCPs may also increase natural vaginal lubrication. Other women experience reductions in libido while on the pill, or decreased lubrication. Some researchers question a causal link between COCP use and decreased libido; a 2007 study of 1700 women found COCP users experienced no change in sexual satisfaction. A 2005 laboratory study of genital arousal tested fourteen women before and after they began taking COCPs. The study found that women experienced a significantly wider range of arousal responses after beginning pill use: decreases and increases in measures of arousal were equally common.DepressionLow levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the brain, have been linked to depression. High levels of estrogen, as in first-generation COCPs, and progestin, as in some progestin-only contraceptives, have been shown to promote the lowering of brain serotonin levels by increasing the concentration of a brain enzyme that reduces serotonin. This observation, along with some small research studies have inspired speculation that the pill causes depression.
Progestin-only contraceptives are known to worsen the condition of women who are already depressed. However, current medical reference textbooks on contraception and major organizations such as the American ACOG, the WHO, and the United Kingdom's RCOG agree that current evidence indicates low-dose combined oral contraceptives are unlikely to increase the risk of depression, and unlikely to worsen the condition in women who are currently depressed. Contraceptive Technology states that low-dose COCPs have not been implicated in disruptions of serotonin or tryptophan. However, some studies provide evidence to contradict this last claim.Other effectsOther side effects associated with low-dose COCPs are leukorrhea (increased vaginal secretions), reductions in menstrual flow, mastalgia (breast tenderness), increase in breast size, and decrease in acne. Side effects associated with older high-dose COCPs include nausea, vomiting, increases in blood pressure, and melasma (facial skin discoloration); these effects are not strongly associated with low-dose formulations.
The pill may affect what male body odors a woman prefers, which might influence her selection of partner.Health BenefitsThe use of oral contraceptives (birth control pills) for five years or more decreases the risk of ovarian cancer in later life by 50%.
Combined oral contraceptive use reduces the risk of ovarian cancer by 40% and the risk of endometrial cancer by 50% compared to never users. The risk reduction increases with duration of use, with an 80% reduction in risk for both ovarian and endometrial cancer with use for more than 10 years. The risk reduction for both ovarian and endometrial cancer persists for at least 20 years.
Taking oral contraceptives also reduces the risk of colorectal cancer, and improves conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease, dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome, and acne.Contraceptive Patch.A contraceptive patch is a transdermal patch applied to the skin that releases synthetic estrogen and progestin hormones to prevent pregnancy. They have been shown to be as effective as the combined oral contraceptive pill with perfect use, and the patch may be more effective in typical use.
The only currently available contraceptive patches are Ortho Evra, marketed in the United States by Ortho-McNeil, and Evra marketed in Canada by Janssen-Ortho and marketed in the United Kingdom and other countries by Janssen-Cilag. The patches are packaged in boxes of three and are only available by prescription. The contraceptive patch is often informally referred to as "the Patch".Method of useA woman applies her first patch onto her upper outer arm, buttocks, abdomen or thigh on either the first day of her menstrual cycle (day 1) or on the first Sunday following that day, whichever she prefers. The day of application is known from that point as patch change day. Seven days later, when patch change day comes again, the woman removes the patch and applies another to one of the approved locations on the body. This process is repeated again on the next patch change day. On the following patch change day, the patch is removed and not replaced. The woman waits 7 days without a patch in place, and on the next patch change day she applies a new patch. Extended use regimens, where patches are used for several weeks before a patch free week, have been studied.Backup contraceptionIf a woman chooses to begin with her patch change day as day 1 of her menstrual cycle, the patch is able to take effect in time to prevent ovulation (see Mechanism of Action below) and no form of backup contraception is needed at all.
In the case that a woman wishes to begin using the contraceptive patch following a first trimester abortion or miscarriage, patch application can be done immediately afterwards. This can be considered the same as a day 1 start above, and no backup contraception is required.
If a woman chooses to begin with her patch change day as the first Sunday following day 1, it is necessary to use a backup form of contraception such as spermicide or condoms for the first week of patch wear.Side effectsIn three large clinical trials involving a total of 3,330 women using the Ortho Evra / Evra patch for up to one year, 12% of users discontinued the patch because of adverse events. The most frequent adverse events leading to patch discontinuation were: nausea and/or vomiting (2.4%), application site reaction (1.9%), breast discomfort, engorgement or pain (1.9%), headache (1.1%), and emotional lability (1.0%).
The most frequent adverse events reported while using the Ortho Evra / Evra patch were: breast discomfort, engorgement or pain (22%), headache (21%), application site reaction (17%), nausea (17%), upper respiratory tract infection (10%), menstrual cramps (10%), and abdominal pain (9%).
Breakthrough bleeding and/or spotting while using the Ortho Evra / Evra patch was reported by: 18% in cycle 1, 12% in cycle 3, 8% in cycle 6 and cycle 13. Breakthrough bleeding (requiring more than one pad or tampon per day) was reported by: 4% in cycle 1, 3% in cycle 3 and cycle 6, and 1% in cycle 13.
Additional side effect information is provided in the Ortho Evra label information and the Evra SPC and PIL. Mirena.The IntraUterine System or IUS is a hormonal contraceptive device that is placed in the uterus. An IUS has a hormone cylinder that releases a progestin (progestogen) called levonorgestrel. The only brand currently available is the T-frame LNG-20 IUS, marketed as Mirena Coil by Schering Health and Berlex Laboratories.Mechanisms of contraceptionThe Mirena is intended to initially release a daily dose of 20 micrograms levonorgestrel (a progestin). No single mechanism accounts for the effectiveness of the IUS in preventing pregnancy; it has several effects on the reproductive system:
Frequency of ovulation is reduced.
Cervical mucus is changed to obstruct passage of sperm through the cervix.
The presence of a foreign body in the uterus prompts the release of leukocytes and prostaglandins by the endometrium, substances that are hostile to both sperm and eggs. Some physicians believe these substances are also hostile to very early embryos.
The endometrium is thinned. It has been suggested that this inhibits implantation of embryos, though no experiment has yet confirmed or disproved this theory. Because many pro-life individuals and organizations define fertilization as the beginning of pregnancy, this possible secondary mechanism of action has led some pro-life individuals and organizations to label the IUS an abortifacient. RemovalGenerally IUS removal is easiest if undertaken towards the end of a woman's period and involves a doctor or trained nurse using a pair of forceps to take hold of the IUS's thread and gently retract.
A "lost coil" occurs when the thread can not be felt by a woman on routine checking and is not seen on speculum examination. Various thread collector devices or simple forceps may then be used to try and grasp the device through the cervix. In the rare cases when this is unsuccessful, an ultrasound scan may be arranged to check the position of the coil and exclude its perforation through into the abdominal cavity or its unrecognised previous expulsion. Hysteroscopy is very rarely needed.
After removal of the IUS, normal fertility is regained after a few months, with a near normal 80% of women able to conceive within 12 months.Hormonal side effectsLocalisedMenstrual periods become lighter, or, in about 20% of women, stop completely within one year of insertion. Irregular bleeding is common in the first few months after insertion, with the average user reporting 16 days of bleeding or spotting in the first month of use, but this diminishes to about four days at 12 months. SystemicThe progestin in an IUS is intended to be released at a lower dose than that used in other progestogen-only contraceptives such as the mini-pill or Norplant (blood levels of levonorgestrel in Mirena users are half those found in Norplant users and one-tenth those found in users of levonorgestrel-only pills).
Enlarged follicles (ovarian cysts) have been diagnosed in about 12% of the subjects using a levonorgestrel IUS. Most of these follicles are asymptomatic, although some may be accompanied by pelvic pain or dyspareunia. In most cases the enlarged follicles disappear spontaneously during two to three months observation. Surgical intervention is not usually required.Nursing mothersThere is an increased risk of perforation in women who are lactating.
Progestogen-only contraceptives such as an IUS are not believed to affect milk supply or infant growth. However, a study in the Mirena application for FDA approval found a lower continuation of breastfeeding at 75 days in IUS users (44%) versus copper IUD users (79%).
Levornogestrel is found in nursing infants at 7% of the concentration found in their mothers using the Mirena IUS. A six-year study of breastfed infants whose mothers used a levonorgestrel-only method of birth control found the infants had increased risk of respiratory infections and eye infections, though a lower risk of neurological conditions, compared to infants whose mothers used a copper IUD. No longer-term studies have been performed to assess the long-term effects on infants of levornogestrel in breast milk.
There are conflicting recommendations about use of Mirena while breastfeeding. The U.S. FDA does not recommend any hormonal method, including Mirena, as a first choice contraceptives for nursing mothers. The World Health Organization recommends against immediate postpartum insertion, citing increased expulsion rates. It also reports concerns about potential effects on the infant's liver and brain development in the first six weeks postpartum. However, it recommends offering Mirena as a contraceptive option beginning at six weeks postpartum even to nursing women. Planned Parenthood offers Mirena as a contraceptive option for breastfeeding women beginning at four weeks postpartum.Effect on cancer ratesThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration has concluded that the carcinogenic potential of Mirena is low. According to a 1999 evaluation of the studies performed on progestin-only birth control by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, there is some evidence that progestin-only birth control reduces the risk of endometrial cancer. The IARC concluded that there is no evidence progestin-only birth control increases the risk of any cancer, though the available studies were too small to be definitively conclusive. The use of progestin alone in treatment of menopause has been associated with a doubling of risk for breast cancer versus nonuse.
Because breast cancer cells are often hormone-sensitive, Mirena and other hormonal birth control methods are not recommended for women who have, have had, or suspect they have breast cancer.PregnancyAlthough the pregnancy rate during IUS use may be low, it is not a 100% effective method of birth control. If pregnancy does occur, presence of the IUD increases the risk of miscarriage, particularly during the second trimester. It also increases the risk of premature delivery. These increased risks end if the IUD is removed after pregnancy is discovered. No pattern of birth defects has been suggested by the 35 babies for whom birth outcomes were available at the time of FDA approval.
As many as half of pregnancies that occur in Mirena users may be ectopic. The incidence rate of ectopics is approximately 1 per 1000 users per year.Bone DensityNo evidence has been identified to suggest Mirena affects bone mineral density (BMD). The only published study on the effect of Mirena on BMD showed that long-term users, at 7 years of use, had similar BMD at the midshaft of the ulna and at the distal radius as nonusers matched by age and BMI. In addition, BMD measurements were similar to the expected values for women in the same age group as the participants. The authors of the study said their results were predictable since it is well established that the main factor responsible for bone loss in women is hypoestrogenism and, in agreement with previous reports, they found estradiol levels in Mirena users to be normal.NuvaRing.NuvaRing is the trade name for a combined hormonal contraceptive vaginal ring manufactured by Organon that is available by prescription. It is a flexible plastic (ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer) ring that releases a low dose of a progestin and an estrogen over 3 weeks.UseThe currently approved NuvaRing regimen specifies insertion of the ring into the v****a for a three-week period, then removal of the ring for one week, during which the user will experience a menstrual period. The break week with NuvaRing is comparable to the placebo week for combined oral contraceptive pills ("the Pill"), and the contraceptive effect is maintained during this period. Extended use regimens (7-week, quarterly, or annual) involving back-to-back use of (2, 4, or 17) rings have been studied in clinical trials, but are not currently approved.
Insertion of the ring is comparable to insertion of other vaginal rings. The muscles of the v****a keep NuvaRing securely in place, even during exercise or sex. Women can check the contraceptive ring periodically with their finger. In rare instances, NuvaRing may fall out during sexual intercourse, while straining during a bowel movement, or while removing a tampon.
Contraceptive efficacy is not reduced if the ring is removed or accidentally expelled and is left outside of the v****a for less than three hours. If the ring has been out of the v****a for more than three continuous hours, contraceptive efficacy may be reduced and a backup method of contraception must be used until the ring has been used continuously for a subsequent seven days.BenefitsThe benefits of the ring include:once-a-month self-administered use offering convenience, ease of use and privacy (most users and most partners do not feel the ring, and of those who do, most do not object to it)
lower estrogen exposure than with combined oral contraceptive pills or the contraceptive patch Ortho Evra.
a low incidence of estrogenic side effects such as nausea and breast tenderness.
a low incidence of irregular bleeding despite its lower estrogen dose.Side effectsThe NuvaRing, shown with a ruler for scaleIn two large studies, over a one year period, 15.1% of users discontinued NuvaRing because of adverse events. Device-related adverse events (foreign body sensation, coital problem, or expulsion) were the most frequently reported adverse events that resulted in discontinuation (by 2.5% of users). Device-related adverse events were reported at least once during the one year study period by 4.4% of NuvaRing users.
The most common adverse events reported by 5 to 14% of the 2501 women who used NuvaRing in five clinical trials were: vaginitis (14.1%), headache (9.8%), upper respiratory tract infection (8.0%), leukorrhea (5.8%), sinusitis (5.7%), nausea (5.2%), and weight gain (4.9%). NuvaRing is weight neutral. Additional side effect information is provided in the NuvaRing full prescribing information.
NuvaRing has the cardiovascular contraindications associated with combined oral contraceptives, such as stroke and heart attack. These risks have been shown to be much greater if combined with other risk factors such as smoking, recent surgery, a history of cardiovascular disease, or old age.
Beyond the risks associated with combined oral contraceptives, NuvaRing is contraindicated for a risk of blood clots that is specific to NuvaRing's class of contraceptives. NuvaRing contains the hormone etonogestrel, the active metabolite of the prodrug desogestrel. This makes the NuvaRing a third-generation contraceptive. Epidemiological studies have shown that oral contraceptives that contain desogestrel can increase the risk of blood clots(venous thrombosis) by 1.5 to 2.4 times the risk of second-generation oral contraceptives. Second-generation oral contraceptives do not contain desogestrel. Large scale studies of NuvaRing have not been done to determine if NuvaRing's risk is larger or smaller than oral contraceptives that contain desogestrel. Hormones are released continuously from NuvaRing, thus peak and total estrogen and progestin doses are significantly lower than with combined oral contraceptives, but what effect this has on the risk of blood clots has not been established.
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Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 3:24 pm
SURGICAL STERILIZATION
Surgical sterilization is available in the form of tubal ligation for women and vasectomy for men. In women, the process may be referred to as "tying the tubes," but the fallopian tubes may be tied, cut, clamped, or blocked. This serves to prevent sperm from joining the unfertilized egg. The non-surgical sterilization procedure, Essure, is an example of a procedure that blocks the tubes. Sterilization should be considered permanent. Vasectomy.
Vasectomy (colloquially "The Snip") is a surgical procedure in which the vasa deferentia of a man are cut for the purpose of sterilization.
Types
There are some variations on the procedure such as no-scalpel (keyhole) vasectomies, in which a sharp hemostat, rather than a scalpel, is used to puncture the scrotum. Another type of vasectomy which may reduce the risk of chronic pain is called an "open ended" vasectomy. A "normal" vasectomy typically seals both ends of the vas deferens with stitches, heat, metal clamps or a combination, after cutting. The open-ended vasectomy obstructs only the top end of the vas deferens. With this method sperm leaks out from the lower severed end of the vas deferens and into the scrotum, thus hopefully avoiding a build-up of pressure in the epididymis. The likelihood of long-term testicular pain from "backup pressure" seems to be reduced using this method.
Side effects
After vasectomy, the testes remain in the scrotum where Leydig cells continue to produce testosterone and other male hormones that continue to be secreted into the blood stream. Some studies find that sexual desire is unaffected in over 90% of vasectomized men, whereas other studies find higher rates of diminished sexual desire. The sperm-filled fluid from the testes contributes about 10% to the volume of an ejaculation (in men who are not vasectomized) and does not significantly affect the appearance, taste, texture, or smell of the ejaculate.
When the vasectomy is complete, sperm can no longer exit the body through the p***s. The testicles continue to produce sperm, but they are broken down and absorbed by the body. Much fluid content is absorbed by membranes in the epididymis, and much solid content is broken down by the responding macrophages and re-absorbed via the blood stream. Sperm is matured in the epididymis for about a month once it leaves the testicles. Approximately 50% of the sperm produced never make it to the orgasmic stage in a non-vasectomized man. After vasectomy, the membranes increase in size to absorb and store more fluid; this triggering of the immune system causes more macrophages to be recruited to break down and re-absorb more of the solid content. Within one year after a vasectomy, sixty to seventy percent of vasectomized men develop antisperm antibodies. In some cases, vasitis nodosa, a benign proliferation of the ductular epithelium, can also result. The buildup of sperm increases pressure in the vas deferens and epididymis. To prevent damage to the testes, these structures eventually rupture in more than half the cases.[citation needed] The entry of the sperm into the scrotum causes sperm granulomas to be formed by the body to contain and absorb the sperm which the body treats as a foreign substance.
Effectiveness
Early failure rates, i.e. pregnancy within a few months after vasectomy, are below 1%, but the effectiveness of the operation and rates of complications vary with the level of experience of the surgeon performing the operation and the surgical technique used.
Although late failure, i.e. pregnancy after recanalization of the vasa deferentia, is very rare, it has been documented.
Post-Vasectomy Pain Syndrome
Post-Vasectomy Pain Syndrome (PVPS), genital pain of varying intensity that may last for a lifetime, is estimated to appear in between 5% and 35% of vasectomized men, depending on the severity of pain that qualifies for the particular study The pain can be orchialgia, pain with intercourse, ejaculation, or physical exertion, or tender epididymides. In one study, vasectomy reversal was found to be 69% effective for reducing the symptoms of chronic post-vasectomy pain. Treatment options for 31% of patients whose pain did not respond to vasectomy reversal were limited. The study was very small, only evaluating 13 patients, making it difficult to draw solid conclusions. In severe cases castration has been resorted to.
Possible Vasectomy-Dementia Link
Researchers reported in February 2007 that a survey of a small number of men with primary progressive aphasia, a rare speech disorder, found that more than twice as many as would be expected had undergone vasectomies. Because primary progressive aphasia is so rare compared to the number of men undergoing vasectomy it is statistically very unlikely that any one individual would develop this problem. The study has not yet been verified by other researchers, and the authors say larger studies are needed to better understand the issue.
Psychological reactions
Some men experience depression or anger and go through a period of mourning over the loss of their reproductive ability. This emotion is similar to what some women experience after menopause. Approximately half of all vasectomized men prefer to keep their sterilization secret. Depending upon the study, between five and eleven percent of men regret the decision to have a vasectomy.Tubal Ligation.
Tubal ligation (informally known as getting one's "tubes tied") is a permanent form of female sterilization, in which the fallopian tubes are severed and sealed or "pinched shut", in order to prevent fertilization. Hormone production, libido, and the menstrual cycle can be affected by a tubal ligation.
Procedure
A tubal ligation surgery can be done in many forms; through a vaginal approach, through laparoscopy, a minilaparotomy ("minilap"), or through regular laparotomy. Also, a distinction is made between postpartum tubal ligation and interval tubal ligation, the latter not being done after a recent delivery. There are a variety of tubal ligation techniques; the most noteworthy are the Pomeroy type that was described by Ralph Pomeroy in 1930, the Falope ring that can easily be applied via laparoscopy, and tubal cauterization done usually via laparoscopy. In addition, a bilateral salpingectomy is effective as a tubal ligation procedure. A tubal ligation can be performed as a secondary procedure when a laparotomy is done; i.e. a cesarean section. Any of these procedures may be referred to as having one's "tubes tied."
Tubal ligation can be performed under either general anesthesia or local anesthesia (spinal or epidural, often supplemented with a tranquilizer to calm the patient during the procedure). The default in tubal ligations following on from cesarean birth is usually spinal/epidural, while the default in non-childbirth related situations may be general anesthesia as a matter of doctor preference. However, tubal ligations under local anesthesia, either inpatient or outpatient, may be performed under patient request.
Less commonly performed is the Essure procedure, in use since 2002. In this procedure micro-inserts are placed within the fallopian tubes by means of catheter and Hysteroscopy. The micro-inserts produce eventual occlusion of the fallopian tubes by causing the in-growth of tissue.
Effectiveness
A tubal ligation is approximately 99% effective in the first year following the procedure. In the following years the effectiveness may be reduced slightly since the fallopian tubes can, in some cases, reform or reconnect which can cause unwanted pregnancy. Method failure is difficult to detect, except by subsequent pregnancy, unlike with vasectomy or IUD. If pregnancy does occur it carries a 33% chance of being an ectopic pregnancy.
Advantages and disadvantages
Tubal ligation is a more major surgery than vasectomy, and carries greater risks. Postoperative complications are more likely than with vasectomy, and more costly.[8] For example in industrialized nations, mortality is 4 per 100,000 tubal ligations, versus 0.1 per 100,000 vasectomies.
Tubal ligation has a larger initial cost than many contraceptive methods. Typically vasectomies are more cost-effective than tubal ligation because they are less expensive. It may take more than a decade of use for tubal ligation to become as cost-effective as other highly effective, long term methods like IUD or implant. Continued method costs or costs from unintended pregnancies make many other methods as or more costly than tubal ligation if used for several years.
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Mistress Cupcakkes Captain
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Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 11:09 pm
PSSSST!!! EVERYONE!!
Depo Provera doesn't work!!!
...if you're like me&&ben and hump like rabbits anyway.
xDDD
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Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2009 2:36 pm
♫ я ą ɨ ɳ ß ø ฬ. §ąʏs ♫
xD
i think i'm gonna go for mirena most likely.
i'm not totally sure yet.
but i think after i have a total of 2 or 3 kids, i'm gonna get tubal ligation.
and have cole get a vasectomy along with it.
super saftey.
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Mistress Cupcakkes Captain
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Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 9:03 am
Dayum thats hella birth control.
I'mma go for Mirena too. I won't remember a patch or a stupid pill. Ben said he'd get a vasectomy if I wanted him to but I was like...
"No. I want a girl in three years."
And he was all happy that I wanted to have another kid with him in the future sometime. He got all proud sounding. My Benjamin is so cute (sometimes). <3333
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Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 10:07 am
right now I'm using the "natural family planning" method... But at my next appointment I'll be getting the nuvaring.
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Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 12:45 am
I'm on the Pill,it's called Valette,dunno if it's also available on the international market though biggrin ! And recently my bf and i started to use condoms somehow... I just bought some flavoured ones for performing oral until the "end" XD and somehow we ended buying a couple of ribbed ones that we use we don't want to mess with him coming inside me XD.... As i'm prescribed antibiotics for this week because of my lung-infect we're going to have our first whole-time-condom-circle starting from next week... I just hope everything goes well,i usually get a rash from them if we use them too often or the sex lasts too long emo
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