Christmas Loving? High Dose Condoms plus Low Dose Birth Control

I hope Christmas has started wonderfully for you and in 'signing off' for the festive break myself I just wanted to remind you gals not to leave home without a high dose of condoms, even if your favourite method of contraception is currently low dose birth control pills. An unexpected 'gift' that lasts a lifetime could dampen the fun for you this year if you don't make sure that you're well protected against pregnancy AND STIs.

Just to whet your appetite a little, check out the fun condoms out there and maybe surprise him with a female one (with the outside rim over the clitoris for extra stimulation)

Look out for these varieties:

• Night Light: Glow-In-The-Dark Condom
• Flavored Condoms  If you are planning to use these condoms for vaginal sex, make sure they are sugar -free as sugar flavored condoms can throw off the pH in the vagina, which can lead to yeast infections.
• Studded Condoms
• Warming Condoms  They contain a warming lubricant that is activated by natural body moisture, so it heats up during sexual intercourse.
• Edible Condoms  - are for novelty use only -- they do not provide any type of protection against pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.
• Pleasure Shaped
• Colored Condoms  - fly the flag with tri-colored condoms that feature the national colors of 36 countries, such as America, France, Spain, Russia and Italy.
• Kiss of Mint Condoms
• French Ticklers provide stimulation by "tickling" the inner walls of the vagina. These condoms are considered to be novelty types, so they do not provide prevention of pregnancy or disease. A man can wear a regular condom underneath the tickler to ensure contraceptive protection.
• Tingling Pleasure Condoms

You can find a good selection of novelty condoms at this site.

Safe Loving and a Very Merry Christmas, see you in January,

Kind regards Carole

Can I Tempt You To A Contraceptive Injection Bruce?

Time to overcome that needle phobia guys - ' Down Under' the Aussies have developed a contraceptive injection for men which has been proven to be just as effective as birth-control pills for women. Apart from male condoms, the
only other effective contraceptive for men till now is a vasectomy. The new jab works by suppressing sperm output but does not have a permanent effect.

The male contraceptive injection needs to be administered every two to three months to take the sting out of those little swimmers. Yeay! But hold on a minute gals- I'm about to prick your bubble- research has been hindered by a shortage of government interest and funding (and DEMAND?) Surprise, surprise. Pharmaceutical companies have shown little interest in making it available to the public and you
don't need to be Einstein to figure out why.

What's in The 'Male Version' of Depo?

An injectable, hormonal contraceptive, in the form of Depo Provera, (containing progestin) has been available for women for several years. Taken every 3 months, it is considered a safe, effective and reversible method of low dose birth control. Irregular bleeding and spotting are typical side effects commonly experienced during the first few months.The male contraceptive injection, however, is made up of a combination of the hormones androgen and progestin - mostly testosterone and guess what? No irregular bleeding and spotting!

While there is no long term data yet as to other possible side effects of the male jab, it may be that they too will have slight weight gain or headaches, a touch of acne and wait for it- loss of sex drive, ( now there's a controversial side effect if you're female!) depression, nervousness and tiredness (join the club fellas) If your guy's proud of his Bonds briefs' profile, he won't be too happy about one notable side effect of the jab- a reduction in the size of his testicles. This is reversible, by the way. You can reassure him that this side effect DOES NOT affect his penis or performance! I reckon the testosterone levels in the male birth control products will soon be 'adjusted' too - we can't have men losing their sex drive now can we!

How Reliable is The Male Contraceptive Injection?

The male hormonal injection was found to be a quick and reliable method of contraception for up to 95 per cent of males. Researchers from the ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney and Concord Hospital studied 1756 men aged 18 to 51 and found the combined jab (progestin/mostly testosterone + androgen) was quicker and more effective than an androgen-only version. Chinese and European trials have also been conducted and who knows, IF funding becomes available, a male's selection of 'low dose birth control' could include injections, implants and patches not to mention the PILL. Here follows a whole new topic for the 'contraception responsibility' debate, girls.

The World Health Organisation is understood to be planning an international study to test a three-monthly androgen-progestin combination injection for men- maybe if they get on board, we'll see some progress 'down under' or should that be 'down below'?

NB. Yes, you've guessed it- neither female nor male contraceptive injections will protect you against STD's. So condoms still rule OK? That is until some white coated genius develops a pill that does both. Watch this space folks.

Got questions about your birth control? Get your free e-book here

Low Dose Birth Control Pills

Here are the basics about Low Dose Birth Control Pills -the brands, the ingredients and the benefits.

Reducing the side effects of birth control pills (cheers in the gallery!) led to the reduction of the amount of synthetic hormones, estrogen and progestin, that they contained and to the development of the 'new generation', low dose birth control pills. "Low dose' won't have much meaning for you if you don't know what this term refers to so the basic information below may help.

So How Low can I go with the dose of hormone ingredients and still be effective at preventing pregnancy?

Good question, as not all birth control pills contain exactly the same amount of estrogen and progestin. I thought a useful reference for you would be a list of low dose and ultra low dose pills so that you can at least discuss the pros and cons with your doctor and see if you are a good candidate to move from say, a low dose 0.035mg estrogen pill down to an ultra low dose 0.020mg estrogen pill. You may find you experience fewer or reduced side effects. Generic brands in low dose birth control pills are also available.

Birth control pills with the very lowest amount of estrogen, that is 0.02mg of estrogen (usually ethinyl estradiol) are classed as 'ultra low dose' contraceptive pills. 0.02mg of estrogen is sufficient for contraception but the side effects of spotting and breakthrough bleeding are more common with these types of ultra low dose birth control pills than with low dose pills containing 0.030mg or 0.035mg of estrogen.

Here are some brand names of the "ultra low dose" birth control pills on the market, you may find a generic version on line now that you know what amount of estrogen to look for. The estrogen component is listed first and the progestin component second.

Alesse (Aviane,Lessina,Lutera,Sronyx) contains 0.02 mg ethinyl estradiol and 0.1 mg levonorgestrel

Mircette contains 0.02 mg ethinyl estradiol and 0.15 mg desogestrel

Pills containing 0.02mg- 0.035mg.of estrogen are classed as 'low dose' pills.

Here are some brand names of "low dose" birth control pills :

• LoOvral contains 0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol and and 0.3 mg norgestrel
• Nordette contains 0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol and 0.15 mg levognorgestrel
• Ortho-Cept (Reclipsen, Solia) contains 0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol and 0.15 mg desogestrel
• Desogen contains 0.03 mg ethinyl estradiol and 0.15 mg desogestrel
• Levlen21 contains 0.03 mg of ethinyl estradiol and 0.15 mg of levonorgestrel
• Seasonale/Seasonique contain 0.03mg of ethinyl estradiol and 0.15 mg of levonorgestrel

If you are a fan of triphasic pills, here are some low dose ones:

Cyclessa
Phase 1: ethinyl estradiol 0.025 mg and desogestrel 0.1 mg
Phase 2: ethinyl estradiol 0.025 mg and desogestrel 0.125 mg
Phase 3: ethinyl estradiol 0.025 mg and desogestrel 0.15 mg
In a study of 5,654 women, over six menstrual cycles, some used the popular triphasic Ortho-Novum 7/7/7 and others used Cyclessa. It was found that women who used Cyclessa had significantly less breakthrough bleeding or spotting and experienced an average weight loss of 4lbs. versus an average weight gain of 2lbs. with those who took Ortho-Novum 7/7/7.

Ortho Tricyclen Lo : 3 types of pill in the pack
each white tablet contains 0.025 mg ethinyl estradiol and 0.180 mg of norgestimate
each light blue tablet contains 0.025 mg of ethinyl estradiol and 0.215 mg norgestimate each dark blue tablet contains 0.025 mg of ethinyl estradiol and 0.250 mg of norgestimate
(Ortho Tricyclen and Ortho-Cyclen, each with 0.035 mg of ethinyl estradiol, contain slightly higher amounts of estrogen in each type of pill than Ortho Tricyclen Lo)

YASMIN and YAZ are two more low dose birth control pills containing 0.03 mg and 0.02 mg respectively of estrogen but they have a different type of progestin from the other pills called drospirenone (3.0 mg). On the down side, since Yasmin/Yaz can increase levels of potassium, it is not recommended for women with liver, adrenal or kidney problems but on the up side, Yasmin/Yaz appear to reduce water retention and therefore bloating and in some women gives a sense of well being. These pills also have a following among acne sufferers as they seem to improve this skin condition in a lot of cases.

As with many other types of birth control pills, Yasmin may not be suitable for you if you also take other over-the-counter pain relievers, potassium sparing diuretics, potassium supplements or specific medications so you MUST check this out with a physician first.

Nursing Moms

You will have heard of the 'mini' pill (progestin only pill or POP) which is usually prescribed for women who are breastfeeding or who have an intolerance to estrogen. A 'Mini pill' can be started immediately after childbirth or abortion. There is no 7-day break or dummy pills as there are with the combined pill and it must be taken at the same time every day. Micronor contains 0.35 mg norethindrone and NO estrogen whatsoever. In other countries some brand names include: Microlut 28, Microval 28, Locilan 28 and Noriday.

Pills that contain high amounts of estrogen or progestin are used for emergency contraception and are known as 'the morning after pill' or Plan B. One common pill is Preven -each blue film-coated pill contains 0.25 mg levonorgestrel and 0.05 mg (that's MILLIGRAMS not micrograms) of estrogen - usually you take 2 doses, 12 hours apart. Plan B is a 'morning-after' pill that contains only one hormone, progestin (Levonorgestrel) Tablets, 0.75 mg.

Sources; Donnica Moore, M.D.www.drdonnica.com/faqs/00005246.htm,www.mydr.com.au

For A FREE E-BOOK that answers all your common birth control
questions,for lighthearted videos and a 'no nonsense' website that
tells it like it is, visit: my main website

How To Start Using Birth Control Pills For The First Time

OK so you are thinking of using a contraceptive pill for the first time. What do you need to know to help you to make that final decision? These few facts may bring you up to speed so that you can trot off to the doctor and discuss which pill is best for you at this point in your 'contraception career'.

The Pill affects Ovulation, Your Cervical Mucous and the lining of your Uterus

First of all, let's assume that you already know that the contraceptive pill contains synthetic hormones (estrogen and progestin) that prevent you from becoming pregnant 99% of the time (if used correctly and consistently) by stopping you from ovulating each month (releasing an an egg from your ovaries). If there no egg for a little male sperm to penetrate/fertilise then no baby can develop. The other 'action' that occurs each month as a result of taking a contraceptive pill is that the mucous around your cervix (neck of your womb) is THICKENED by the progestin ingredient in the pill. Why does this help to protect you from getting pregnant- because that little sperm finds it a heck of a lot harder to swim through thick stuff than thin stuff so even in the event of an egg 'escaping', the poor little guy is exhausted even before he ever gets to that egg of yours! The third way in which the contraceptive pill affects your body is to THIN the lining of your uterus which makes it difficult for a fertilised egg to implant and grow there should it get that far. This action is a controversial one for some women who view this 'back up' effect as abortion.

When does ovulation occur?

Ovulation usually happens around day 14 of your cycle (a woman is fertile when she is ovulating and ovulation usually occurs mid cycle) most women know exactly when this happens but it can vary by about a week, depending on the length of your cycle. Ovulation almost always occurs 14 days before the next bleed. The process itself requires a maximum of thirty-six hours to complete. In general, women do not ovulate until at least 10 days after stopping birth control pills.

If an egg IS fertilized by a sperm, it may implant itself in the uterus 6-12 days later if 'conditions are receptive, if you take the pill every day the conditions are NOT receptive.

Starting birth control pills the first time- on which Day do I take the first pill?

IMPORTANT: Use 'back up' such as condoms, diaphragm, or foam during the first month of pill taking.You can choose which day to start your pill taking regime:

• on the day your period begins OR
• on the first Sunday after your period begins. This will result in your period almost always beginning on a Tuesday or Wednesday every 4 weeks OR
• on the fifth day after your period begins OR
• you can start your pill today if there is absolutely no chance that you could be pregnant. Use a backup method of contraception until your first period.

Take one pill a day until you finish the pack. Then:

If you are using a 28-day pack, begin a new pack immediately. Skip no days between packs.
If you are using a 21-day pack, stop taking pills for 1 week and then start your new pack but you must not forget to start again 7 days later as extending the 'gap' between packs is one of the main reasons why women get pregnant while on the pill!

I'm worried about having to remember to take a pill every day

You will soon get into a routine- but it helps if you link your pill taking to another action you carry out daily such as cleaning your teeth or having a glass of water at bedtime. Keep you pill pack next to your toothbrush or in your bedside table drawer.The pills work best if you take one at about the same time every day (this is especially important for the 'mini' pill). Check your pack of pills each morning to make sure you took your pill the day before.

For more facts about the 'what if' scenarios when you are on the pill, read instructions HERE on HOW TO TAKE CONTRACEPTIVE PILLS and also find out what is involved IF pills are missed .

For A FREE E-BOOK that answers all your common birth control questions,for lighthearted videos and a 'no nonsense' website that tells it like it is, visit: my main website

Vomiting and Birth Control Pills

Will the effectiveness of my birth control pill be affected if I vomit?

It depends. If you took your pill two hours or more before you vomited, then it is unlikely that you will need a replacement pill. If you vomit within two hours of taking your pill, you should consider that pill 'missed' and take another from a separate pack as soon as you can keep things down. The risk of pregnancy increases if vomiting prevents your body from absorbing a high enough 'quota' of estrogen that month to prevent pregnancy. You may want to contact your health care provider anyway in case there are special instructions you need to follow.

If you vomit or have diarrhea due to illness or consumption of too much alcohol while you are taking an oral contraceptive, play it safe and use a back up method of birth control. Use this method of birth control for 7 days after vomiting or diarrhea, even if you have not missed any pills.

If pills are missed due to vomiting bouts and a backup method is not used, emergency contraception can be used to prevent pregnancy, although if you've used this method before, guess what, be prepared for nausea and vomiting as side effects of this too-we just can't win can we, except maybe avoid the one type of nausea we don't want- 'morning sickness'.

If, like most women, you forget to take one of your contraceptive pills, then take it later in the day and then take another at bedtime, when you normally would take one, thus causing you to take two pills in one day (which is fine) this also can make you feel a bit queasy.

Low dose pills like Alesse, Yaz and Mircette are just as effective as high dose pills for preventing pregnancy but missing a low dose pill puts you at greater risk of getting pregnant than missing a high dose pill.

Crazy isn't it, that one of the side effects experienced by some women who take birth control pills is nausea and vomiting, (this side effect usually goes away after the first few months of use) and if you DO suffer severe vomiting when on the 'pill' you've defeated the whole purpose for taking them in the first place! Taking your pill with food or taking it before bedtime may help to alleviate nausea.

Severe vomiting should be reported to a physician IMMEDIATELY (and a condom used if you still feel like sex under these circumstances!) as this is not a normal side effect. The contraceptive pill continues to be a popular choice because it is easy to use, convenient and is a reversible method of birth control.

Carole Pemberton is committed to researching and presenting the latest information on contraceptives, including Alesse and Mircette to empower women to fully experience their sexuality and knowledgeably manage their birth control.

For a FREE E-BOOK that answers all your common birth control questions please drop by HERE

Will Your Extra Kilos Reduce the Effectiveness of Your Contraceptive Pill?

The effectiveness of your contraceptive pill will be reduced if you are overweight- TRUE or FALSE?

Can you still rely on today's 'low dose' contraceptive pills or should you be swapping to a contraceptive pill that contains a higher dose of estrogen to give you adequate protection against getting pregnant? In one of the previous posts on my website about the contraceptive pill and weight gain I wrote, "Today’s oral contraceptive pills contain much lower doses of hormones than they used to so if you are overweight they could quickly become ‘burned’ up hence their effect in your body could be of a shorter duration and thereby increase your risk of becoming pregnant".In keeping you up to date on this issue, it seems that the latest studies are stating that overweight women are at a higher risk of getting pregnancy no matter which dosage of pill they take. Not very heartening if you're over 155lbs eh?

It is likely that you are using one of the new generation, 'low dose' contraceptive pills that are now regularly prescribed by most doctors because of the benefits of reduced side effects. I found this useful table on Dr. Rick Jelovski's site from a study which shows weight in relation to pregnancy rates for the different estrogen doses in the contraceptive pill. It may be handy to take it to the docs with you and see what comment he/she has about it all.

Pregnancy rate/100 women yrs

Nos. show pregnancy rate with (estrogen dose in brackets)

Weight in lbs

less than 125lbs --1.8 (20-25mcg )--3.2 (30-35mcg)--1.6 (50mcg =+)
125-137lbs-----------3.4 (20-25mcg )--2.7 (30-35mcg)--3.3 (50mcg =+)
138-155lbs-----------2.3 (20-25mcg )--2.0 (30-35mcg)--8.2 (50mcg =+)
155lbs and plus----6.8 (20-25mcg )--5.2 (30-35mcg)--5.4 (50mcg =+)


If you are over 155 lbs you are in the group with a higher tendency to get pregnant than women who weigh less than 125 lbs and you can see from the above table that if you stay at 155lbs lbs swapping to a higher estrogen dose contraceptive pill does not necessarily reduce your chance of getting pregnant so increasing your estrogen dose (and possibly accompanying side effects) is a step you might want to think a bit more about..

Yep, I know you won't want to hear it but the best way to reduce your risk of getting pregnant is to reduce a few kilos AND remember to take your pills consistently and correctly (the stats. in this table would have included women who were 'not perfect' at pill taking)

As Dr. Rick reminds us, the greatest risk from contraceptive pill failure is when you're LATE starting your pills again after the 7 day 'break', so if this has happened to you in the past, consider swapping to a continuous daily pill routine that will lower your risk and lower your stress.

Risk of Heart Attack

You have probably been told that you are at the biggest risk of having a heart attack if you are
overweight and you smoke, this is true but if you are also using hormonal contraceptives, you are
increasing your risk even more so while you're at the docs why not chat about some other safer options for birth control? It's a good idea to regularly check in with your doctor that the contraceptive pill you are using is the best one for your current circumstances- inspite of any extra pounds you may have gained.

Ultra Low Dose Contraceptive Pills (Alesse, Mircette) and other brands of oral contraceptives can found HERE

Oral Contraceptives For Treating Medical Conditions

Oral contraceptives (the “birth control pill”) and their synthetic hormone cocktail of estrogen and progestin have many health 'benefits' beyond just preventing pregnancy. Whether to use them for this purpose or not though, can be a dilemma, especially for some teenagers who are not sexually active. To be able to function 'comfortably' without taking days off work or school due to severe period pain is often the clincher for any women when her physician suggests a course of oral contraceptives for treating
medical conditions such as:

• Painful periods/cramps
• Heavy or irregular periods
• Acne (“zits” or “breaking out”) - more likely to occur in teenagers
• Too much hair growth- caused by producing too many male hormones. Oral contraceptives may prevent new hair growth but will not get rid of existing hair growth.
• Ovarian cysts
• PMS, mood changes or migraine headaches

What do I need to know if I’m taking the pill for something other than birth control?

The active ingredients, estrogen and progestin come in different types, with different side effects, depending on which oral contraceptive is prescribed. Some pills contain lower doses of these hormones than others and some medical conditions require a pill containing higher doses to be effective.You may be told to take the pills in a different way from 'normal' (as they were initially designed to be used only for birth control and taken one pill each day) which may mean taking more than one pill each day -so
depending on the medical condition being treated, you should always follow your doctor's instructions regarding the dose and not those printed on the package leaflet. For treating the medical conditions listed above with oral contraceptives, see more detailed information HERE.

For a FREE E-BOOK that answers lots of common questions about birth control, some lighthearted videos and a 'no nonsense' website that tells it like it is, visit:www.contraceptivereviewer.com

Will Desogen cure my acne?

It is widely known that the contraceptive pill is often prescribed for the treatment of women's acne and was approved by the FDA in 1997 for this treatment of this condition. However, if you are considering asking your doctor for the popular brand, Desogen , there are some facts you should know, especially if you have certain health problems or inherited medical conditions.

What exactly is Desogen and How does Desogen work in my body?

Desogen is an oral birth control pill that contains a combination of synthetic female hormones to stop an egg being released from a woman's ovary. If an egg is not released, it cannot be fertilized by a male sperm- so the woman cannot become pregnant. Most women take Desogen to prevent them from falling pregnant but others have found it to be extremely effective for clearing up their acne or significantly reducing breakouts. Desogen does this by controlling the level of androgen (a male hormone) connected with the production of oil in our skin (from our sebaceous glands).

Why does acne occur and what does it look like?

On the surface of our skin are little 'breathing holes' or pores and 'pockets' (follicles) out of which each hair grows. The sebaceous gland in each follicle produces oil or sebum. When too much sebum is produced, these glands become blocked and inflamed which results in pimples, 'zits' and blackheads - a chronic outbreak is known medically as acne. In acute cases, these pustules can result in cysts or abscesses that become infected and scar the skin's surface. If the production of sebum can be decreased then the acne is usually reduced also.

Why is the amount of oil produced by our sebaceous glands important?

Since the hormone, androgen, controls the release of sebum, it is not surprising that if there is an imbalance in hormone levels, especially during adolescence, then there is going to be an imbalance in the level of sebum produced. Even though contraceptive pills work effectively on acne treatment, they are not ideal for teenagers to take if they are not sexually active (unless they have had a thorough talk to their doctor first).

Desogen and acne is a 'balancing act'.

Since Desogen affects the level of the androgen hormone within a woman's body, it follows that every woman's body will be operating on varying levels of hormone production so, to some degree, it is trial and error with a contraceptive medication such as Desogen for controlling the level of sebum produced and therefore controlling the severity of her acne. It is for this reason that Desogen can be extremely effective or in some cases, just not be compatible with the level of androgen being produced in certain women so their acne seems to get worse. Ethinyl etradiol is the synthetic estrogen in contraceptive pills that affects the level of androgen.

The contraceptive pill Desogen resolves acne conditions in many women

Doctors prescribe Desogen specifically for the treatment of acne in woman they consider suitable for this combination of synthetic hormones. Woman who can take Desogen will find that this birth control pill balances their hormones effectively and is the ideal drug for helping them to manage their acne. It should be noted though, that no single treatment for acne, including Desogen, should be relied upon to treat this severe skin condition. A dirty skin, make up and bacteria also aggravate acne so topical products, such as lotions, creams and anti bacterial skin cleansers should be considered for use in conjunction with Desogen.

Always consult your doctor if you wish to try Desogen for your acne treatment and tell him which other medications/topical products you are also using.

As with many medications, however, some women find they do experience various side effects when taking Desogen.
Some common side effects include nausea, headaches, slight bleeding, weight gain and possible mood changes.
After taking Desogen for three months, many of these effects disappear but you should monitor your body closely and consider a different treatment if they persist or if they worsen.

The clearly documented risks associated with all contraceptive pills must be noted for Desogen also, whether taken for acne or as your preferred birth control method. These risks include stroke, blood clotting and breast cancer (although the contraceptive pill has positive benefits in reducing ovarian and uterine cancer)

Smoking is bad for you anyway but the risks of developing heart disease increase if you are on the 'pill'.

If you do take Desogen to prevent acne, take it as prescribed by your doctor - even if you buy it on line

Missing a dose of Desogen will not have such a bad effect on your acne but it will affect your risk of getting pregnant.
Check the leaflet that comes with the Desogen pack if you miss a pill and of course, if you are unsure as to whether you can two pills on one day, check with your doctor or medical practitioner. To reduce the anxiety or stress further, it would be wise to use additional contraception at this time.

Desogen is ideal for reducing the painful and embarrassing condition of acne in many women but unfortunately it is just not suitable for a certain percentage of woman. It is probably worth trying though as the benefits can be excellent and it is likely that if you keep in contact with your doctor you will eventually find a combination of the 'pill' and a topical skin product that will help you through your acne 'chapter'.

Questions to ask your doctor about contraceptive options

Don't be embarrassed, put off or rushed through a short consult when you talk to your doctor about choosing the right contraceptive for you - pay for a long consult if need be but DO empower yourself with knowledge before rushing off with your script.

Discussing all aspects of birth control with a health professional is essential when it comes to understanding and taking charge of your body's health in regard to managing birth control- especially if you take oral contraceptives which affect your body's hormone levels.

The doctor will know your medical history but maybe not what type of lifestyle you lead so explain a bit about this first. Take with you a list of over the counter meds you are taking. Remember, this is your domain, your body, your future family planning scenario- you are about to make one of the most responsible and important decisions of your life, your partner's life and the lives of your unborn children.

You may find some of these questions useful and if you don't understand the answer you get back, be a little terrier and keep asking until you do.


1. Given my age and state of health/lifestyle, which method of contraception do you suggest for me?

2. Out of all the hormone based types of contraceptives, which is the most effective and are there any I cannot take due to my medical history or the medications I'm taking?

3. If I don't opt for a hormone based contraceptive, what other alternatives are most effective?

4. Is an IUD an option for me and can it cause problems if I want to become pregnant later on?

5. How will 'the pill' affect my fertility and what do I watch out for re side effects?

6. Which form of contraceptive carries the greatest health risk, I've heard scary reports about the patch?

7. If I ever want to get pregnant when should I stop taking the pill?

8. What should I do if I fail to use contraceptives during intercourse?

9. How can I get the 'morning after' pill and if I keep one dose on standby how long will be effective for?

10. If I'm breastfeeding, what do I do about contraception?

11.Do you have information about natural birth control?

12. I don't want kids for YEARS yet, is an implant a good option for me now?

13. Are there any other resources in my community where I can get help and advice on contraceptives?

14. We have enough children now, I need information on tubal ligation and vasectomy and whether or not these methods are reversible.

The truth about contraceptive pills and pregnancy test kit results HERE- as well as several popular Oral Contraceptive pills (including cheapest on line prices)

Who Do You Turn To For Information On Contraceptives?

2 out of 3 women (63%) who use the internet, research contraceptives and birth control options online. In January of this year, comScore Inc. a leader in measuring the digital world, released results from a study that looked at how women choose their method of contraception, what their opinion is of alternative contraceptive methods and whether the information they gather from their 'net' research influences their actual 'practising' methods of contraception.

921 women were surveyed (ages 18-44) who had been heterosexually active over the past 6 months and had used a form of prescription or over-the-counter birth control.

• 82% of the women surveyed consulted their doctor, pharmacist or health care worker about
• contraceptive options
• 60% researched on the internet and web sites
• 51% consulted friends, family and 'significant others'

"Traditionally, women have relied on friends, family or a significant other for health-related
information, including sexual health and contraception," said Carolina Petrini, comScore senior vice president. "But today, with the influx of newer-generation birth control methods and non-traditional pill regimens, more and more women are turning to the Internet to sort through the clutter and organize their findings. As is true in many other areas of health care, the consumer has become much more proactive. She wants to be informed of all of her choices, and she is relying on the Internet for answers."

35% of the women surveyed had already used birth control related 'user generated content' from blogs, forums and chatrooms, while 42% said they were open to the idea in the future.

Factors that influence a woman's choice of contraceptive

Not surprisingly, the main factor was EFFECTIVENESS although only 9% gave ineffectiveness as a reason for not choosing specific types.

The main reasons for NOT choosing a specific type of contraceptive were:

• perceived SIDE EFFECTS (45%)
• INCONVENIENCE (42%)

These perceptions about side effects and inconvenience varied according to the type of contraceptive eg.some women said they would not consider switching to the birth control pill, hormonal injections, patches and implants because of perceived side effects. Vaginal rings and diaphragms were perceived to be the most inconvenient or difficult to use form of contraceptive.

Source:http://www.comscore.com To read report on this survey CLICK HERE

Further information on Alesse, Mircette and other oral contraceptives.

Low Dose Oral Contraceptive Pills Minimize Side Effects

Today's oral contraceptive pills contain much lower doses of synthetic hormones than in the 1960's when 'The PILL' (with 50 micrograms of estrogen) first went onto the market. "That's not helped me much", you may be saying to yourself but here's some information about low dose oral contraceptive pills that may be beneficial for you if you're not happy with your current pill.

Trial and error with different pill types is worth pursuing -bearing in mind that oral contraceptives are still not the perfect method of birth control for everyone. If you are on the 'right pill' to suit your body, you should feel exactly the same way as you do normally, if not a little better. Some women cannot tolerate the estrogen in combined oral contracepive pills so are prescribed progestin only pills. Estrogen seemed to be the main culprit where side effects were to blame so 'low dose' pills were developed to minimise these.

Changing hormone levels within your body can result in side effects which vary for every individual. Keeping hormones at a consistent level in your body is the job of oral contraceptives so that you do not ovulate, your uterine lining thins and your cervivcal mucous thickens. These three events work together to prevent pregnancy.

Pills such as ALESSE and MIRCETTE are called ultra low dose pills as they contain only 20mcg of estrogen. These oral contraceptives are effective at preventing pregnancy but some women find that they have more spotting and breakthrough bleeding with them than with pills containing 30 or 35 micrograms (considered the norm today) of estrogen. Spotting and breakthrough bleeding often disappear after a few months on a low dose oral contraceptive pill.

Women who prefer ALESSE and MIRCETTE say they reduce headaches, mood swings, breast tenderness and bloating. These two brands also may be better for 'first timer pill users' as a 'low estrogen start' to introducing synthetic hormones into their bodies.

Progestin only pills or 'mini pills'

These oral contraceptives are 90-95% effective at preventing pregnancy compared to the 99% efficacy rate of combination pills. However, they do not cause the common side effects of estrogen pills such as nausea, breast tenderness and cramps. The risk of developing deep vein thrombosis and cardiovascular disease is lower with progestin only pills. Nursing mothers can use progestin only pills a few weeks after giving birth as progestin does not affect milk supply like estrogen does.

'Mini pills' must be taken every day at the same time with no break. If you miss just one pill or take it more than three hours past the regular time, you need to use a backup method of birth control for 48 hours after taking the late pill.
Disadvantage of the 'mini pill' - apart from irregular spotting and breakthrough bleeding, is that it can increase the risk of ovarian cysts and ectopic pregnancy.

Sources:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Elizabeth Silverman,
obstetrician-gynecologist at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla. Dr. Pamela Deak,
obstetrician-gynecologist at the University of California San Diego Medical Center.

5 Tips to Remind You to Take your Contraceptive Pill Everyday

I hope you have read the package leaflet at least once when you open your pack of Ortho Tri Cyclen or other brand of contraceptive pill. If you have, you will know how important it is to take the pill at the same time each day. There is a reason for this- it helps to keep a steady and measured dose of hormones supplied to your body throughout your cycle and it also helps to
minimise any side effects you may experience, such as spotting and breakthrough bleeding. Do you find it difficult o get into the habit of taking your contraceptive pill at the same time every day? Maybe your job or lifestyle makes it almost impossible?

These tips may help you to stay on track:

1. Think about something in your daily routine which would help you to take the pill at the same time such as brushing your teeth or reaching for your night cream as you climb into bed. Popping a pill before you head down for brekky (taking oral contraceptives with food also helps alleviate any nausea) or swallowing one with a quick sip of water from the bedside table is not too much of an effort when it becomes part of another 'automatic' act you carry out daily. Taking a contraceptive pill at the same time each day also ensures that your body receives the right amount of hormones during that 24 hour period.

2. 'Out of sight out of mind' is an old saying that doesn't just apply to people! It is true when it comes to taking medication- if

the pills are not right there in front of you why would you think about them? Putting your pack of contraceptive pills out of sight will not help you to establish a good 'pill taking' habit so make sure your contraceptive pill pack is next to your toothbrush or by that glass of water on the bedside table or in the drawer alongside your jar of night cream.

3. OK, so your job has ridiculous shifts or you travel a lot and routines keep changing- you must find a new routine to 'attach' your pill taking act to! Carry your contraceptive pill pack in your handbag and take it with lunch/ morning/afternoon coffee BUT do follow the same routine daily so that you are still supplying your body with its steady, measured dose of hormones throughout that 24 period. If you have a long drive home, get into the habit of taking a pill with a juice in the car so that you don't get caught up in the 'dinner' stuff when you get home and fall exhausted into bed and forget.

4. When you are travelling, keep your contraceptive pills within reach- preferably in your hand luggage, not in your suitcase in case it gets lost. Don't leave them in the hotel bathroom either, keep them in your purse so you can enjoy the events of your trip without worrying about being hours late in taking your pill.

5. Get some help if you just can't seem to manage the pill taking routine yourself- explain the problem and your daily schedule to your doctor or health care provider and they may be able to suggest something that hadn't occurred to you.

Remember to keep a spare pack of contraceptive pills on hand so you don't run out and miss the first few days of your next pill cycle. Use your mobile phone, pc at work or a calendar to 'alarm' you one week in advance of your start date for a new pack.

Source: www.thepill.com

For a FREE E-BOOK on birth control, lighthearted videos, useful guides and a 'no nonsense' website that tells it like it is, visit:http://www.contraceptivereviewer.com

Doc Check Yourself Before Asking For Alesse

I know it seems alarming and quite off-putting to be considering a list of medical conditions that would STOP you from using Alesse or any other oral contraceptive pill, when all you may want right now are simple facts and a prescription for 3 months supply! Oral contraceptives are highly effective at preventing pregnancy but before you rush off to the clinic and demand to be 'put on the pill', you owe it to your body and your future health to make sure that you are NOT placing yourself at 'high risk' of developing a serious disease that could cause temporary or permanent disability or death.

Most of you probably know that if you are pregnant, or miss two menstrual periods in a row, you should stop taking the contraceptive pill and get to the doctor as soon as possible. The hormones in Alesse can pass into breast milk or slow down milk production so safe guard your baby's health by NOT taking Alesse if you are breastfeeding.

How many female friends do you know who are on the pill and who are overweight or who still smoke? (or both!) Hmm...would they think you were a 'wally' if you suggested that they have another chat with their doctor?

At least you can arm yourself with information to take to the doctor's by quickly scrolling through the list below and jotting down anything that 'rings a bell' - then pat yourself on the back for being a ' savvy and responsible girl', grab your purse (with your notes) and head off to get the most out of that consultation.

Do not use Alesse if you have:

• a history of a stroke or a history of heart attack, seizures or epilepsy
• a history of depression
• a history of fibrocystic breast disease, lumps, nodules, or an abnormal mammogram

• blood clots in the legs, varicose veins, blood clots in the lungs or eyes
• high cholesterol or if you are overweight or have severe high blood pressure
  
• circulation problems (especially if caused by diabetes) or a heart valve disorder
• angina (chest pain)

• uterine fibroid tumors
• a hormone-related cancer such as breast or uterine cancer, cervical or vaginal cancer
  

• abnormal or unexplained vaginal bleeding or a history of irregular menstrual cycles
  

• current liver disease or liver cancer
• severe migraine headaches
• tuberculosis
  

• yellowing of the whites of the eyes or of the skin (jaundice) during pregnancy or during
• previous use of the pill
• a need for surgery that requires prolonged bedrest afterwards
• a known allergy to the active ingredients in Alesse (levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol)

OK, so you ticked NO to all of the above, filled the prescription and have started your first pack of Alesse (or other brand of contraceptive pill) and so far so good.....not wishing to make a hypochondriac out of you, it would be irresponsible of me not to follow up with a final Check Yourself, 'watch out for' list so here 'tis....

WARNING SIGNALS

If any of these adverse effects occur while you are taking oral contraceptives, call your health-care provider immediately:

• Sharp chest pain, coughing of blood, or sudden shortness of breath (indicating a possible clot in the lung).
• Pain in the calf (indicating a possible clot in the leg).
• Crushing chest pain or heaviness in the chest (indicating a possible heart attack).
• Sudden severe headache or vomiting, dizziness or fainting, disturbances of vision or speech, weakness or numbness in an arm or leg (indicating a possible stroke).
• Sudden partial or complete loss of vision (indicating a possible clot in the eye).
• Breast lumps (indicating possible breast cancer or fibrocystic disease of the breast; ask your health-care provider to show you how to examine your breasts).
• Severe pain or tenderness in the stomach area (indicating a possibly ruptured liver tumor).
• Difficulty in sleeping, weakness, lack of energy, fatigue, or change in mood (possibly indicating severe depression).
• Jaundice or a yellowing of the skin or eyeballs, accompanied frequently by fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, dark-colored urine, or light-colored bowel movements (indicating possible liver problems).

...and on that cheerful note, may I applaud you for managing your contraception in a responsible and thorough fashion!
Sources: Manufacturer's information- Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Inc.Philadelphia

Carole Pemberton brings you up to date with the latest information on contraceptives including Alesse to empower you to enjoy your sexuality while successfully managing your birth control.

For free tips, lighthearted videos, useful guides and a 'no nonsense' website that tells it like it is, visit:http://www.contraceptivereviewer.com

Levlen

Levlen- a quick overview of this triphasic contraceptive pill (also known as Tri Levlen) that contains ethinyl estradiol plus levonorgestrel- two active synthetic female hormones that prevent ovulation.Triphasic pills contain three different doses of hormones in the active pills (changing every seven days during the first three weeks of pills). Some pills release the same dose of hormones throughout the menstrual cycle.

Levlen is an oral contraceptive pill that is mainly taken to prevent pregnancy but it is sometimes prescribed for other purposes. In preventing pregnancy, Levlen does two other main jobs besides preventing ovulation. It thickens the cervical mucous (around the neck of the womb) which makes it tough for sperm to swim through on their way to the egg. Levlen also thins the lining of the uterus which makes it difficult for a fertilised egg to embed itself, even if a
determined little swimmer does make it into the egg.

DO NOT to use Levlen/Tri Levlen if:

• you are pregnant or think you may be, as there will be a risk of harming the baby- tell your doctor at once if you have even the slightest suspicion or you have missed a menstrual period
• your new baby is less than a month old
• you are breastfeeding as hormones can pass through your breastmilk and may even slow down your production of milk

Stay away from Levlen/Tri Levlen if you have a history of:

• history of blood clot, stroke, diabetes-induced circulation problems or severe high blood pressure
• any hormonal-related cancers (like uterine or breast cancer), liver disease cancer
• abnormal vaginal bleeding
• migraine headaches,
• valve disorders
• or any history of jaundice

People who suffer from the above conditions and take hormones increase their risk of stroke, heart attack or blood clots-especially if they are woman over 35 and they smoke.

Your doctor will probably take you off Levlen/Tri Levlen temporarily if you are scheduled for surgery, medical tests or you need bed rest for a while.

How to take Levlen or Tri Levlen

Take one pill each day, at the same time if possible and 24 hrs. apart. Make sure you always have the next pack of Levlen on hand so you don't run out and risk missing several days -as you could get pregnant. If you wish to change brands of contraceptive pills or stop taking them, do not do this without consulting your doctor. It's a good idea also to have regular check ups while you are taking oral contraceptives like Levlen/Tri Levlen.

Condoms must be used with oral contraceptives, including Levlen/Tri Levlen if you wish to protect yourself against STD's but you knew that didn't you?

Contraceptive Pill Types Explained

This is an introductory explanation of the different types of oral contraceptive pills that may help you to finally select the one that is best for your body. 50 years on, we have discovered that the oral contraceptive pill for women still prevents pregnancy if it is made up of much lower doses of estrogen and progestin than in the early days. 'The Pill' used to contain 50-100 micrograms of estrogen and today it contains only 20-35 micrograms, with researchers trying to reduce this amount further to reduce side effects. Synthetic hormones (estrogen/ethinyl estradiol and progestin) used in contraceptive pills mimic the natural hormones (oestrogen and progesterone) produced by the ovaries, adrenal gland and liver.


Estrogen's main job in the contraceptive pill is to prevent ovulation (release of an egg from a woman's ovary). Progestin in the pill, while it does have some intermittent effect on ovulation (about 50% of the time) is relied on mainly to thicken the mucus around the cervix to stop sperm from getting through to an egg.

Contraceptive Pills come in two basic types: single hormone pills (progestin only) and combination hormone pills (estrogen + progestin) Pills are supplied in two basic packs- 28 day pill packs= 3 weeks of active hormone pills +1 week placebo pills and 21 day pill packs= 3 weeks of active hormone pills with no placebo pills.

PROGESTIN only pills (the 'mini pill') do not contain estrogen and only have a small amount of progestin in them. Breastfeeding women are often prescribed these 'mini pills' (estrogen may cause a reduction in milk supply) as well as women who cannot take synthetic estrogen for medical reasons. Side effects are less than pills containing estrogen and they are not associated with heart disease, however, irregular bleeding /spotting/mood swings may occur. Progestin only pills MUST be taken at the same time each day and are affected by vomiting or diarrhoea.This type of contraceptive pill is not affected by antibiotics.

COMBINATION PILLS- contain estrogen and progestin and can be further categorized as being Monophasic, Biphasic or Triphasic- so what do these terms mean? Pills are put into these categories according to whether or not the levels of hormones they contain stay the same throughout the first three weeks of a woman's menstrual cycle (in 28 day pill packs, the pills for the fourth week in the pack are placebo or 'reminder pills' that are inactive and do not contain any hormones)

MONOPHASIC Pill- is one that contains the same amount of hormones in every ACTIVE pill so you are less likely to have mood swings as your hormone levels do not vary much throughout the month. Popular monophasic pills include:Alesse, Brevicon, Desogen, Levlen, Levlite, Loestrin, Modicon, Nelova, Nordette, Norinyl,Ortho-Cept, Ortho-Cyclen, Ortho-Novum, Ovcon, Yasmin. In 2003 the FDA approved a new packaging of a monophasic contraceptive pill called Seasonale. This pill is taken for 91 days, during which no periods occur -so in one year, women taking this pill will only have 4 periods (for the first year though, expect the same no. of menstrual days as with a traditional contraceptive pill till your body adjusts)

BIPHASIC Pill- is one that contains different amounts of hormones throughout the pack. These pills alter your hormone levels once during your cycle by increasing the dosage of progestin about halfway through your cycle and are thought to better match your body's natural production of hormones- they contain smaller doses of hormones in total than monophasic pills. However, insufficient evidence has been gathered to favour these pills over monophasic ones, where much more reliable data is available so monphasic pills are preferred. Breakthrough bleeding has been reported as a side effect with these pills. Popular biphasic pills include : Jenest, Mircette, Necon 10/11, Nelova 10/11, Ortho-Novum 10/11. Attempts to decrease side effects led to the three-phase pill in the 1980s.

TRIPHASE Pill- is one that contains 3 different amounts of hormones in the ACTIVE pills over three weeks, i.e. a change in hormone levels within the body occurs every 7 days for the first 3 weeks.. The dose of estrogen is gradually increased and in some pills, the dose of progestin is also increased. Whether three-phase pills lead to fewer pregnancies than two-phase pills is unknown. Nor is it known if the pills give better cycle control or have fewer side effects. Look for the 'TRI' on the label such as:Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Triphasil, Tri-Levlen, Trivora, Tri-Norinyl, Cyclessa, Ortho-Novum 7/7/7.

The Best Pill to Take? All contraceptive pills are effective if taken correctly, with combination pills (containing estrogen and progestin) being more effective than the low dose 'mini pill'. Monophasic pills may be the best to start with- they are cheaper and those with lower amounts of estrogen may have fewer side effects (but more breakthrough bleeding)

Always use back up (a condom or diaphragm) for the rest of the month if you miss a pill. Trial and error, side effects and talking to your doctor should help you to find a contraceptive pill that suits your body. Pregnancies occur mainly when women forget to take a pill or take them incorrectly, vomit, get diarrhoea or, in the case of the mini pill, do not take pills at the same time each day. It is very easy to start a pill packet late if you just forget or if you don't have the next new packet on hand. The most dangerous time to miss a pill is at the end or beginning of a packet because it lengthens the pill free interval beyond seven days which means that you may not have absorbed sufficient synthetic hormones to prevent you from ovulating in the next month.