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.

Ortho Tricyclen

There is no doubt about the convenience of being able to buy Ortho Tricyclen online. Many medications are available online today but it is wise to check out a few things first in order to find a reliable and safe supplier.

Your doctor should give you a thorough medical check before writing a prescription for you to buy Ortho Tricyclen online and may even know of a few other reputable online pharmacies -or use the one linked to from this page.

Most US pharmacies are licensed by a board of pharmacy -be wary of purchasing from non licensed companies, however cheap their products seem to be! You can find the list of state boards of pharmacy on the website of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP).


NABP

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy is a professional organization that can help you to find a licensed pharmacy in your area if you are having trouble buying online medications.

Online Pharmacies should be professional and safe

Online pharmacies should have a licensed pharmacist on duty to answer any queries you may have before you buy Ortho Tricyclen online. The pharmacy will require a prescription from your doctor and may also offer you a generic alternative. A reputable pharmacy will provide a way for you to contact them online with any questions so use this service if you are at all unsure about your purchase, its shelf life or if you experience any problems after buying Ortho Tricyclen online.

Your Privacy

On any website that sells medications, check that there is a privacy policy in place that protects your details. This policy should be easy to find on the site and should be easy to understand.

Do not put the following details online unless you are absolutely guaranteed that they will be secured and totally confidential.

Never give specific information about yourself such as your social security number, medical history/records, information about your health or your credit card information.

Many purchases are safely made online using a credit card but a 'secure payment' method should be indicated - if necessary, always keep a card with a low limit for buying anything online, including Ortho Tricyclen.

source: http://www.fda.gov/buyonlineguide

Lo Ovral

Nature has designed the female reproductive system to release an egg every month, assist the male sperm in its journey to fertilise this egg then prepare a comfy nest in the womb (uterine wall) for the little 'zygote' (fertilised egg) to spend 9 months developing into a human being.
Well, if you are not ready for another little human being just yet, an efficient little contraceptive pill, Lo/Ovral can be relied upon to put a spanner in the works of Nature for you. Lo/Ovral contains a combination of ethinyl estradiol and norgestrel- female hormones that stop the release of your egg every month.

How does Lo Ovral roughen up the road for the sperm guys?

By making the mucous of your cervix, the neck of the womb, thicker, to slow down the sperm and also making the lining of your uterus thinner, to make it hard for the fertilised egg to grab a hold and nestle down to grow.

The main reason Lo Ovral is prescribed is to help women avoid pregnancy and manage their family planning responsibly.
Doctors may also prescribe Lo/Ovral birth control pill for the treatment of other conditions not discussed here.

Some Do's and Don'ts you should know about the Lo/Ovral oral contraceptive pill

If you have any of the conditions listed below do NOT use Lo Ovral:

• a history of stroke or blood clots, a heart valve problem, problems with your circulation (especially if caused by diabetes) or very high blood pressure
• a hormone-related cancer such as breast or cancer of the uterus
• heavy, irregular or 'abnormal' vaginal bleeding
• any kind of liver disease or cancer of the liver
• migraine headaches
• a history of jaundice caused by birth control pills

Pregnancy Alert

If you are definitely pregnant, have just had a baby or THINK you may be pregnant, do not take Lo Ovral

While there are no clear studies to prove that hormones in contraceptive pills harm nursing babies, we know that anything swallowed and absorbed by a nursing mother's body can pass into breast milk so why risk harming a nursing baby? Some women have reported a slowing down in the production of breast milk when taking oral contraceptives so the bottom line is- do not use LO Ovral if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Smoking Alert (especially for the over 35's)

Taking Lo Ovral can increase your risk of blood clotting, stroke or possibly heart attack.

Use of added protection, such as spermicides and condoms, are always recommended when you first start taking oral contraceptives. Your doctor will advise you on the best combination to suit your lifestyle.

I'm taking a daily multivitamin, will it affect Lo Ovral?

DO tell your doctor if you take any of the drugs below.

Some self medicated drugs, yes, even herbal ones like St. John's Wort, can reduce the effectiveness of contraceptive pills, which, of course increases your risk of becoming pregnant. ALWAYS tell your doctor which other medications/pills you are taking if you are considering asking for Lo Ovral.

Never take a new vitamin pill or herbal remedy without telling your doctor.

Here are some other brand names of common drugs that contain active ingredients that reduce the effectiveness of Lo/Ovral -

· Tylenol or ascorbic acid (vitamin C);
· Azolid, Butazolidin
· Provigil
· Decadron, Hexadrol

also some antibiotics such as:
Augmentin, Omnipen, Doryx, Vibramycin, Grisactin, Grifulvin V, Fulvicin PG, Minocin, Veetids, Pen Vee K, Bicillin, Rifadin, Mycobutin,Sumycin, Achromycin, Robitet
also some seizure medicines such as:
Dilantin, Tegretol, Felbatol, Trileptal, Topamax and Mysoline
also barbiturate such as:
Amytal, Butisol, Mebaral or Luminal, Solfoton
also HIV medicines such as:
Agenerase, Reyataz, Aptivus, Crixivan, Invirase, Kaletra, Lexiva, Norvir, Viracept

This is by no means a finite list, so please check your personal medications with your doctor, even if you are taking drugs prescribed by another
doctor, homeopath/naturopath.

If you wish to read the information supplied to health professionals about Lo Ovral, your pharmacist will be able to supply this.

If you have any of the following conditions you should discuss them with your doctor before taking Lo Ovral

You may still be able to take Lo Ovral, with frequent tests during treatment but the dosage may need adjusting for you:
gallbladder disease, diabetes, a history of depression, seizures or epilepsy, irregular menstrual cycles, high blood pressure, heart problems of any kind, high cholesterol or if you are overweight, an 'abnormal' mammogram report, breast cysts, lumps or 'mysterious' nodules!

How to take your first course of Lo/Ovral contraceptive pill

Follow orders! Exactly as your doctor told you- it's fine to order Lo Ovral online but do not increase or lessen the dose as advised on the leaflet inside the pack. If you find this particular oral contraceptive suits your body, make sure you get regular annual check ups and discuss a 'break' from the medication with your doctor or 'time out' after a while to give your body a rest.
On the first day of your period (or on the first Sunday after your period begins) take the first pill in the pack, unless your doctor has advised you to the contrary.

You take one pill each day, usually at the same time, making sure that the gap between pills is no more than 24 hours.
When the first course of pills runs out, begin the next course the following day so make sure you fill your next prescription BEFORE your current pack runs out completely!

When you start a course of Lo Ovral it is advisable to take extra precautions and use condoms or a spermicide for the first couple of months. Your doctor may indicate 3 months.

The contraceptive pack contains 21 'active' pills and 7 'inactive' or 'reminder' pills, making 28 pills per course. The 7 'reminder' pills are just to keep your daily pill taking habit going.
It is when you are taking the 'inactive' pills that you will get your period.

See your doctor regularly while you are using Lo Ovral and re schedule any appointments you may miss.

Breakthrough Bleeding

This is quite 'normal' especially during the first 3 months but let your doctor know if bleeding continues or gets heavier after this time.

Are you scheduled for surgery?

If you are due to have an operation, will be on bed rest for a while or are going for some medical tests, let the treating surgeon or physician know that you are taking Lo Ovral. You may need to stop using oral contraceptives for a short time.

Lo Ovral should be stored away from direct heat, kept dry and at room temperature.

Mircette

Mircette is an oral contraceptive pill which contains the synthetic female hormones, Ethinyl Estradiol and Desogestrel. These two compounds are commonly used in birth control pills to prevent pregnancy. In a woman's body, Mircette does 3 things to help prevent that eager little sperm from reaching his destination- your egg:

• prevents ovulation
• alters the cervical mucous
• alters the uterine lining

Further information about Ethinyl Estradiol and Desogestrel in Mircette

These two active drugs in the Mircette oral contraceptive pill should NOT be used if:

• you are, or think you may be, pregnant or you have recently had a baby. Mircette may be linked to birth defects in an unborn child and can pass through breast milk
• you have previously been diagnosed with a heart condition, have experienced blood clotting, circulation problems or have had a stroke. The hormones in Mircette, like other contraceptive pills, can increase the risk of stroke, especially if you smoke and even more so if you smoke and are 35 or over
• you have liver cancer or a type of hormonal cancer such as breast or uterine cancer
• you have been jaundiced or suffered any type of liver disease

As with any new course of oral contraceptive pill, it is wise to take extra birth control precautions with Mircette initially, until your hormone levels settle down. Condoms and spermicides are popular but consult your doctor if these do not suit you.

Other important factors to discuss with your doctor when taking the oral contraceptive Mircette

Many women take extra vitamin and mineral pills as part of their daily routine without thinking that ingredients in them (eg St. John's Wort) could affect their contraceptive pill.

Some common 'over the counter' pills CAN affect Mircette's effectiveness overnight so please tell your doctor about 'all things swallowed'!

Are you suffering from epilepsy, angina, high cholesterol or irregular menstrual cycles?

If so, please discuss the dosage of Mircette that you may still be able to take. If your doctor prescribes Mircette, you will probably be required to have regular check ups.

Don't forget to mention to your doctor any existing medical ailments you have/have had if you are considering using an oral contraceptive like Mircette.

How to take Mircette

Mircette is similar to most oral contraceptives ie. you take one pill each day, no more than 24 hours apart. Do not take more than one pill for regular use or for longer periods than prescribed.

On the first day of your period take the first pill of the pack (or if you forget, on the first Sunday after your period starts)

Each pack per cycle contains 28 pills but only 21 are 'active'- the other 7 are 'reminder' pills (non active) to keep you in the habit of taking one pill per day.

You should get your period when you are taking the 'reminder' pills- if 2 months pass without you getting a period- see your doctor.

For maximum effectiveness, take Mircette regularly (not less than 24 hrs. between pills) or you may fall pregnant.

Breakthrough Bleeding

Breakthrough bleeding within the first 3 months of taking Mircette is quite common and nothing to be alarmed about. Of course, if bleeding becomes heavy or does not disappear, go to the doctor.

Remember- everyone's BODY is unique- just because a drug may not carry a warning on its leaflet does not mean that it is safe, effective or appropriate for YOUR body- so monitor yourself carefully when you start taking any new drug, including Mircette.

Desogen - a simple fact sheet

Desogen is one of the more popular hormonal contraceptives which you swallow once day in tablet form. Desogen contains active ingredients, synthetic hormones, which in a female body stop a woman's egg from emerging from her ovary (ovulation). Desogen not only stops ovulation but also prevents the 'boys' (sperm) from actually getting to the 'gal' (egg) to do their 'thing' (fertilise the egg)

So What exactly IS Desogen?

Desogen is a prescribed medicine that prevents pegnancy in a woman. Desogen is prescribed by doctors for treating other medical conditions but is is used by a large number of women as a convenient method of birth control.

Is there anyone who cannot use Desogen for birth control?

Yes, sorry but Desogen is not for you if:

• you are already expecting a baby or have just given birth to one
• you have had a stroke or your circulation is not in good shape
• you have breast cancer or uterine cancer (these are hormone related cancers)
• you have previously tried other hormonal contraceptives and found them to cause you rto be jaundiced

Before you get disheartened and think that no contraceptive 'pill' will be suitable for you because you have depression or high blood pressure, for instance, just check with your doctor first to see if he can prescribe Desogen for you. Usually though it is not advisable to take an oral contraceptive like Desogne if you do suffer from diabetes, epilepsy or high cholesterol. If your periods are always irregular Desogen may be prescribed to regulate them but only your doctor or medical practitioner can decide this for you so be sure to give as much information to them as you can beforehand.

Call your GP if....

• you miss two periods in a row (you may be pregnant) or you know that you are definitely pregnant
• you wish to go BACK on the 'pill' after having a baby
• you are still breastfeeding and want to go back to taking Desogen (what you swallow can be passed through your milk to your baby). It is unlikely that you will be prescribed Desogen while you are still breastfeeding as some women report a slowing down in milk production.

If I'm taking Desogen for the first time, is there anything I should know?

Yes. 6 things:

1. Use back up! Until your hormone levels adjust to Desogen use added protection against pregnancy. Maybe condoms or spermicides, if you don't mind these methods for a short while.

2. You will place yourself at a higher risk from heart disease if you smoke, especially if you are 35 or older

3. Other medications, when taken alongside Desogen, may mix up a 'cocktail' of drugs that renders Desogen less effective, hence you may not be as 'protected' from pregnancy as you think you are! Your doctor will tell you
what is safe and what to avoid (even some vitamins and mineral supplements should be mentioned to him)

4. Please discuss with your doctor HOW LONG you can take Desogen for, as in years and also in what dose. There is a leaflet in each pack that has the usual dose explained clearly and what to do if you miss a dose.
Always take Desogen as prescribed and do not take this hormonal drug at a higher dose 'just to be sure'!

5. A normal reaction during the first 10-12 weeks may be a little bleeding- no need to be alarmed with this but if the bleeding doesn't stop or becomes heavier, you know what to do ( see your doctor)

6. You may become pregnant if you do not take Desogen regularly.