Whats The Difference Between Alysena And Mirvala
Alysena is a commonly prescribed low-dose COC with only 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol and a progestin called levonorgestrel.
Keeping the estrogen content lower helps prevent side effects like headaches, breast tenderness or mood changes. That being said, lower estrogen means you may get spotting. If you have breakthrough spotting on Alysena, you may want to increase the estrogen dose to something like Mirvala, which has 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol and a progestin called desogestrel. Other birth control formulations are available with different types of progestin, like Lolo and Yaz. When choosing a birth control pill, itâs normal to experience a bit of trial and error. All of them work, but sometimes itâs about tailoring how you feel on any given pill.
What about the ring or the patch?
At Felix, we also offer the contraceptive ring, called Nuvaring. Itâs a small silicone ring you insert into your vagina for three weeks, then remove for one week to have your period. You and your partner should not feel it during sex, and itâs easy to insert and remove. It eliminates remembering your pill every day, but youâll have to set a reminder about the removal date in your phone or calendar. Because the hormones are absorbed into your system through the vagina and not through the digestive system , some women may experience fewer side effects.
What Are The Kinds Of Non
Theres only one brand of copper IUD in the U.S. Its called the Paragard IUD. It lasts for up to 12 years.
You dont have to keep your IUD for 12 years though you can get your IUD taken out whenever you want. If your IUD is going to expire but you want to keep using an IUD, your nurse or doctor can replace it.
Here’s What You Need To Know About Both
Condoms are good to use for 3 to 5 years. After this, they become less effective and are more likely to break or tear.
If the condom is stiff, sticky, or dry, don’t use it. It’s a sign it’s out of date, so toss it and use another one.
Both male and female condoms can be an option for women who can’t take hormonal birth control. For example, some women are advised not to take birth control pills due to side effects or health conditions, such as blood clots, high blood pressure, liver problems, or diabetes.
You can use condoms with or without spermicide while breastfeeding. However, condoms may irritate the inside of the vagina if you’re breastfeeding due to an increase in hormones. If you’re experiencing vaginal dryness, use a lubricant .
You may be thinking that doubling up and using a male and a female condom will offer you extra protection, but it’s not recommended to use both at the same time. Using both at the same time can cause them to rip or bunch up. Jewelry or long nails can also cause condoms to rip, so it may be a good idea to remove any rings on your hands before applying them.
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How Can I Prevent Sexually Transmitted Infections
Unless you know that your partner has no other sex partners and is free of sexually transmitted infections , you are at risk for STI infection. If you are at risk, protect yourself from infection every time you have sex. Use a condom in addition to any other birth control method you choose.
You can choose between a male or female condom to reduce your risk for HIV , gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, genital warts, herpes, pelvic inflammatory disease , and other infections.
Birth Control Options For Women Who Can’t Use Hormones
Although they are popular, not every woman can use, or wants to use, the pill or other hormonal contraceptive for birth control.
- Some women cannot use hormones at all because of health reasons, breastfeeding, side effects or a host of other reasons.
- Some may only need occasional pregnancy protection and prefer not to use a full-time birth control method.
- Certain women prefer to avoid hormones in general based on personal beliefs.
There are several birth control options that do not contain hormones, that are effective if used correctly, and that are usually affordable, or even free.
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What Should I Do If I Forget A Dose
If you miss doses of your oral contraceptive, you may not be protected from pregnancy. You may need to use a backup method of birth control for 7 to 9 days or until the end of the cycle. Every brand of oral contraceptives comes with specific directions to follow if you miss one or more doses. Carefully read the directions in the manufacturer’s information for the patient that came with your oral contraceptive. If you have any questions, call your doctor or pharmacist. Continue to take your tablets as scheduled and use a backup method of birth control until your questions are answered.
When To Call A Doctor
For many methods of birth control, you’ll need to see your doctor to get a prescription. If you want to start birth control, talk with your doctor about options that are right for you. And if you have problems with a birth control method, talk with your doctor. He or she may recommend another birth control method or help you solve the problem you are having.
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Who Shouldnt Take Birth Control
If the following risk factors resonate with you, it is not recommended that you take any birth control that contains estrogen as it can increase the risk of clots, strokes, and heart attack.
- You are over 35 years of age and smoke.
- You are scheduled to have surgery that will reduce your mobility for extended periods.
- You have a history of heart disease, deep vein thrombosis, or pulmonary embolism.
How Can You Get Birth Control
You can buy:
- Condoms, sponges, and spermicides in drugstores without a prescription.
- Some forms of emergency contraception in most drugstores and sexual health clinics without a prescription.
You need to see a doctor or other health professional to:
- Get a prescription for birth control pills and other methods that use hormones.
- Have IUD inserted, including the type used for emergency contraception.
- Get a hormone shot.
- Get a prescription for a diaphragm or cervical cap.
- Get a prescription for certain kinds of emergency contraception.
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What If You Cannot Use Hormonal Contraceptives
Some contraceptives work by using hormones that are similar to the hormones women produce naturally. These hormones are oestrogen and progestogen.
Contraceptives that contain these hormones aren’t suitable for some women, such as those who have medical conditions like breast cancer.
Not all contraceptive methods use hormones. Some work in other ways, including:
Types Of Birth Control Pills
Birth control pills contain synthetic versions of hormones, estrogen and progestin, that your body produces naturally. Which specific pill is best for you depends on your bodys needs, plus the recommendation of your healthcare provider.
Heres a brief explanation of the various types of pills on the market:
- Combination pills: Taken orally at the same time each day, combination pills regulate your menstrual cycle with a blend of the hormones estrogen and progestin.
- Extended cycle pills: A combination pill that contains both estrogen and progestin, these pills are designed to allow for longer menstrual cycles. For example, instead of having twelve periods per year, a female on an extended cycle pill will have her period every twelve weeks, so only four periods a year.
- Progestin-only pills:Also called the minipill, this birth control pill only contains the hormone progestin . Like combination pills, it is taken orally daily.
- Low-dose pills:Available as both combination or progestin-only, low-dose pills contain a lower dose of hormones. Just as effective as high-dose pills, low-dose pills are believed to cause fewer side effects.
- Emergency contraception:Unlike other pills, these are used after sexual intercourse to prevent pregnancy, usually in the case of unprotected sex or a broken condom. There are various types, including combination, progestin-only and antiprogestin pills.
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Questions To Ask Your Doctor
- How can I know which birth control pill is best for me?
- If I take progestin-only birth control pills, am I less likely to gain weight as a side effect?
- Is one birth control pill more effective than another at preventing pregnancy?
- Does one birth control pill have fewer side effects than another?
- Can I use birth control pills to skip having a period altogether?
Oral Contraceptives May Cause Side Effects Tell Your Doctor If Any Of These Symptoms Are Severe Or Do Not Go Away:
- nausea
- gingivitis
- increased or decreased appetite
- weight gain or weight loss
- brown or black skin patches
- acne
- hair growth in unusual places
- bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods
- changes in menstrual flow
- light-colored stool
- swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- depression, especially if you also have trouble sleeping, tiredness, loss of energy, or other mood changes
- unusual bleeding
- rash
- menstrual bleeding that is unusually heavy or that lasts for longer than 7 days in a row
Oral contraceptives may increase the chance that you will develop liver tumors. These tumors are not a form of cancer, but they can break and cause serious bleeding inside the body. Oral contraceptives may also increase the chance that you will develop breast or liver cancer, or have a heart attack, a stroke, or a serious blood clot. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using oral contraceptives.
Some studies show that women who take oral contraceptives that contain drosperinone may be more likely to develop deep vein thrombosis than women who take oral contraceptives that do not contain drosperinone. However, other studies do not show this increased risk. Before you begin taking oral contraceptives, talk to your doctor about the risk that you will develop blood clots and about which oral contraceptive or other method of birth control may be the best choice for you.
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How To Choose The Right Option For You
The best option for you when it comes to birth control without hormones is the one you can use confidently and correctly every single time you have sex. The Office on Women’s Health says that the best type of birth control for you depends on:
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Your health
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Whether you want kids now, sometime in the future, or ever
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If you need to protect against sexually transmitted infections
What Is The Correlation Between The Pills And Vaginal Dryness
Usually, vaginal dryness is associated with menopausal women, however, it can occur to women of any age typically, the symptoms are burning or itching, pain during sex and discomfort. Recently, many researchers are looking into the connection between birth control pills and vaginal dryness. This is because vaginal dryness is a hormonal issue, meaning, it is a result of a lack of estrogen.
Estrogen is responsible for keeping the tissues of our vagina lubricated, and if the birth control pills, cause changes in the estrogen levels this will lead to vaginal dryness. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms, you should always consult your doctor immediately to see what is causing it and if it is the pills, find birth control solution that works for you.
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Why Some Women Need/choose Birth Control Options Without Estrogen
Even if you have used birth control options which include estrogen in the past and you havent experienced any major side effects or had any issues with using them, in some situations your doctor may recommend that you switch to birth control options that dont include estrogen. The reasons why they may do so and why some women need to or choose to move to birth control methods without estrogen are:
1.These methods/pills are considered safer: in comparison with the combined pills, progestin-only pills or methods are considered safer, with fewer side effects and still as effective because they also are 87-99% effective in preventing pregnancy.
2. You have certain health issues that dont go well with estrogen: estrogen can increase health risks and is not recommended for women who have certain health issues such as high blood pressure or issues with their cardiovascular system, blood clots, or are fighting obesity switching to birth control options without estrogen in these cases is really about preserving the patients overall health and making sure they wont suffer any major side effects.
What Is The Minipill
The minipill is a type of oral contraceptive that contains pills that only have progestin.
None of the pills in the pack have any estrogen. The dose of progestin varies and is dependent on the formulation used in the birth control pill.
A minipill package consists of 28 pills, all of which contain the hormone progestin. It doesnt contain any placebo pills.
To maximize the minipills effectiveness, youll need to take the pill at the same time every day.
If you miss a dose even by as little as 3 hours youll need to use a backup method of birth control for at least 2 days to be on the safe side.
Theres a new FDA-approved progestin-only pill called Slynd. It can be taken within a 24-hour period and still not be considered a missed dose, unlike the current progestin-only pill.
Because this pill is so new, there may currently be limited information and access. To learn more about Slynd, talk to your doctor.
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What Are The Side Effects
The mini pill is not as strong protection as other pills or solutions as recent studies showed that 13 out of 100 women who take them can get pregnant. Additionally, chances are, if you do get pregnant while on these pills, you will most likely have fertilized egg outside the uterus ectopic pregnancy. Like the other birth control options without estrogen, the mini-pills also due to the progestin, have pretty much the same side effects, like: Acne Vaginal dryness
Who shouldnt take these pills?
Since these pills and the shot both rely on progestin, they too are not meant for everyone. Always make sure you talk to a doctor before you start taking them, and give the doctor your medical history as well as a list of any medications you may take. These pills shouldnt be taken by people who: Have/had liver disease Have/had breast cancer or cardiovascular diseases Have unexplained uterine bleeding Are taking medications for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis or control seizures Are not regular in taking the pill or experience some major side effects.
What Does It Mean For Women
Its painful to have to reject what has come to be seen as the ticket to female freedom and independence from unwanted pregnancies. Birth control pills were a hard-fought female victory at the time, needed to achieve parity with males.
But the truth must be told, no matter how painful it is at first to hear. To be vibrant, healthy women we can no longer be chained to the technology and drugs designed decades ago at a time when the hormonal functions of women were not understood. Women are amazing rhythmic creatures and require the beautiful dance of their hormones to be healthy. No woman should have a baby she doesnt want. But knowingly putting synthetic hormones that disrupt the endocrine system into her body, destroying that rhythm and destroying fertility by removing hormones and replacing them with toxins, is simply not a reasonable option. Sadly, fertility and the health of females are one and the same thing. We must accept reality and then work to design effective contraceptives, or more natural ways to prevent unwanted pregnancies, which do not slowly destroy the female body by replacing vital hormones and rhythms with chemical endocrine disruptors. Effective contraceptives are surely needed, but sacrificing female health is not an option not now AND not ever!
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Ditching Hormonal Contraceptives 11 Non
- If youve been on hormonal birth control, you might be concerned about things like cancer risk, estrogen dominance, and sex drive.
- From disposable methods like condoms and sponges, to reversible methods like the IUD, to permanent sterilization, you have several birth contraceptive options that wont mess with your hormones.
- If youre ready to reset your body without giving up sexy time with your partner, keep reading to learn about your non-hormonal birth control options and the pros and cons of each.
You may have landed here because youve been learning about how hormonal birth control affects you with long-term use. If youve been on hormonal birth control like the Pill, you might be concerned about things like:
- Skin changes
- Libido
Theres so much more than that. For more detail, this podcast episode of Bulletproof Radio with womens health expert Sarah Hill, PhD explains the mess that hormonal birth control makes in womens bodies, head to toe.
If youre ready to reset your body without giving up sexy time with your partner, keep reading to learn about your non-hormonal birth control options and the pros and cons of each.
Weight Gain Or Difficulty Losing Weight
Why do so many people struggle with weight loss and maintenance? Usually, its because they are eating nutrient-poor foods and working too hard. The body processes this hard work as stress and when the body is stressed, it goes into survival or fight or flight mode, producing cortisol. When youre chronically stressed, your cortisol is always high and in an effort to protect itself from whatever danger it senses, your body holds onto fat as a form of energy.
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