Contraceptives

Previously, there’s been a somewhat erroneous expectation of the post menopausal female of our species to be ‘past it’, sexually inactive or in a sexually safe monogamous relationship with low dose birth control off the monthly shopping list. With the emergence of the alleged Cougar, the popularity of on line dating services and the changing relationship norms of today’s society, over 40s and post menopausal females need to be really savvy about managing the skin to skin aspects of their new intimate relationships ESPECIALLY once they stop taking low dose birth control.

Great, we may not need pregnancy protection any more girls but as well as protecting ourselves from gold digging gigolos looking for ‘Mother with Benefits’ we do need to protect ourselves from other unwelcome catches. Our mellowing vaginas are past the spring chicken stage which means that we are more susceptible to picking up a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or to missing the signs that we may already have one.

Any sexually active person can be infected with Chlamydia. (Chlamydia trachomatis) I thought it best to mention this little Charlie (you’ll notice that I give the villains male names - don’t read anything into that) because he is a very common bacterial STI which you probably think only infects the young ones. Incidences of middle aged goddesses getting lumbered with STI’s are on the rise. . You’ll be safe from future fetuses once you exit menopause but if you embark on new sexual journeys with new partners, please be a savvy, condom loaded gal and protect yourself and your vagina from STIs.

Symptoms of Chlamydia - are like those of a UTI (abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning sensation when urinating and crampy pain in the lower abdomen). Chlamydia can also cause conjunctivitis. BUT the real bummer is that most women don’t have any symptoms so Charlie Chlamydia romps wherever he pleases inside your body, free to hop happily onto someone else’s if you give him half a chance.

Diagnosis - Chlamydia is diagnosed from a pap smear or from swabs you can take yourself. Chlamydia can’t be diagnosed from a blood test.

Treatment is simple and effective though it can cause a few uncomfortable side effects such as diarrhea, nausea and abdominal pain however, just a single prescribed dose of antibiotics - Azithromycin (Zithromax) or the less costly Doxycycline (Vibramycin, Oracea, Adoxa, Atridox) usually sends Charlie packing. Don’t have sex until at least a week after treatment. If your partner is receiving treatment for Chlamydia, don’t have sex until at least a week after both of you have been treated.

Stop Charlie entering your door simply by using a condom (male or female variety) and don’t have unprotected sex with a new partner unless you’re sure that they have passed their STD exam!

I actually took this post from a page in a handy new guide I have just published ( my pen name is Claire Preston) called “Happy Vaginas for the Over 40’s - how to resuscitate your ageing vagina and protect her from memopausal meltdown!”  I wrote this little self help book after reading all the desperate comments in women’s forums about the problems mature women are having with painful sex, dry vaginas and persistent discharges of one type or another. Even though this site is mainly about contraception I thought it was worth mentioning in case you know someone who could benefit from a practical but lighthearted read. There is sexual life after low dose birth control has come to an end but if you’re back on the dating scene ladies-you still need to use condoms.　

If you are happy with your current low dose birth control pill, don’t think you are missing out because it doesn’t contain folic acid. You may already be taking folic acid alongside your low dose birth control pill anyway and not realise it (your daily multivitamin may include 400 mcg of folic acid in its ingredients). The Food and Drug Administration has recently approved a new birth control pill, Beyaz,  that contains this synthetic form of Vit B9 which helps to prevent spinal cord defects, like spina bifida in babies.  

Some women accidentally become pregnant while taking the pill or may choose to get pregnant soon after stopping the pill so maintaining a decent level of folic acid in a low dose birth control pill is a good idea. 

Since Beyaz is a new low dose birth control pill and also the only one currently on the market which contains folic acid, I have no  first hand information for you regarding any possible side effects so please let me know how you get on if you try it.  It is prescription only. Here is a link to some further information on Beyaz .

In clinical trials on users of Beyaz, the most common side effects were: headache/migraine, menstrual irregularities, nausea/vomiting, breast pain/tenderness, fatigue, irritability, decreased libido, weight gain and mood changes.

If you do become pregnant when taking Beyaz- stop taking it straight away but continue to take at least 400mcg of folic acid per day.

Beyaz contains the same progestin type as Yaz which is drospirenone (which can increase levels of potassium in some women)

This is the Bayer warning on the Beyaz.com home page:

Do not use Beyaz if you have kidney, liver, or adrenal disease, or if you have or have had blood clots, certain cancers, history of heart attack or stroke, or if you are or may be pregnant. Beyaz is associated with increased risks of several serious side effects, including blood clots, stroke, and heart attack. Risk of these conditions is highest during the first year of use.

Like all the other low dose birth control pills, Beyaz does NOT [protect you from STIs so make sure you are well stocked with your own supply of condoms ladies.   

You cannot buy it yet but if the next phase of trials is successful, you may soon be able to forsake your low dose birth control in favor of a no dose birth control. A NON HORMONAL intravaginal ring may soon be available to women. 3 months of ‘Guinea pig’ scuttling from one brand of oral contraceptive to another and coping with side effects from synthetic hormone absorption may be a thing of the past if a new barrier contraceptive device proves itself.

OVAPRENE is the name of this non hormonal contraceptive ring by Ovatech, a women’s health-focused company that has just announced a successful completion to a Phase 2 clinical study with 85 women. Apparent bonuses with this ring, apart from the obvious ones, are that ‘one size fits all’ and once inserted, it contraceptive effect lasts for 4 weeks. Maybe the only slightly tricky part is that you have to insert it at the end of your period and remove it at the start of your next period. The ring can be left in place after sexual intercourse. How does the ring work?Ovaprene is made from organic silicone and continuously releases a non drug substance which kills sperm and virtually paralyzes the energetic attempts of the rest so they can’t move! Once correctly inserted, the ring is safe for both sexual partners during sexual activity.Is it tolerated by men too?Of course the issue of tolerance is there, as with all things foreign to the body but so far the trials indicate that the non hormonal ring is well tolerated by both women and men. While it’s always good to discuss birth control with your partner, you don’t need their approval or participation to use this female controlled contraceptive barrier device.

 “Ovaprene is designed to be a whole new paradigm for birth control,” said John A. Williams, President and CEO of Ovatech. “We look forward to starting our Phase 3 pivotal trial as soon as possible.”

We shall be following your progress with interest and anticipation John, in the meantime lassies, keep safe Undercover Condoms Sales - Click here to view this month’s sale

items including Condoms, Lubricants, and more!!

As a female in charge of your contraception career, you may be on some form of low dose birth control to prevent pregnancy but are you doing all you can to make sure you’re protected from STDs? The FC2 offer protection and may be ideal if you prefer a non hormonal form of birth control.

Do You Know Your Sex Partner’s HIV Status?　If you live in Washington State and step into a beauty salon, convenience store or you attend high school, hopefully by now you’ve had access to one of the new female condoms– to try for free. MAC AIDS Fund is a subsidiary of MAC Cosmetics and has put up $500,000 to make female condoms freely available for distribution via Planned Parenthood, the Community Education Group and the Women’s Collective. You already know that it can be risky and often intimidating to rely on a guy for condom ‘enthusiasm’. There are still guys who refuse to use condoms and even if he assures you that he’s ‘been tested’- once is not enough for either of you.

Are you in a ‘committed relationship’? This recent HIV Behavior Study 2009  reveals how this does not guarantee that you are sexually ‘safe’. Heterosexual Afro Americans in particular, are still engaging in sexual acts that place them at high risk of infection from STDs and HIV/AIDS. A study shows that even after a high school education, less than one third of guys used a condom and are not protecting themselves even though they themselves (and possibly their partners too) are having sex outside their current relationship. HIV/AIDS sadly causes the highest rate of deaths in black women and in Washington DC is now rated an epidemic.

Are you really doing all you can to keep yourself protected? You don’t have to put your male partner on the spot (and he doesn’t have to worry about maintaining his erection to keep his own condom on!) You can take charge independently of seeing a doctor too.Talk to your friends about the new FC2 female condoms and be brave enough to be a thoroughly modern Millie..You can buy female condom FC2 at Undercover Condoms Sales - Click here to view this month’s sale items including Condoms, Lubricants, and more!!

On Dec. 11th 2008 I told you about a new female condom, the FC2 that was about to hit the market. I hope you’ll give one a go now because my next post will be telling you about alarming findings from a recent study of heterosexuals done in Washington DC. More of that later.  For today, a gentle reminder about the female condom and how to to use it.  Note that the new female condoms (FC2) are made from nitrile NOT polyurethane as mentioned in the video. In case you’re already dismissing the FC2 because it’s made from a rubber material,  it is user friendly for anyone allergic to latex AND it does not make a rustling noise that might put you off trying it.

You can buy female condom FC2 at Undercover Condoms Sales - Click here to view this month’s sale items including Condoms, Lubricants, and more!!

Despite the ill winds blowing throughout the global economy at present, lots of fresh breezes have at last rustled things up for the better on the birth control front in America.

So what’s been happening on the birth control front in the last few months?

Major changes in the US -  thanks to the new president.

Read Obama’s top 10 women’s health achievements, a real tonic,  HERE .

also:

• affordable low dose birth control is now available to college students and women on low incomes
• the FDA has approved the over the counter sale of the emergency contraceptive,  Plan B, for 17 year olds - quite rightly, it won’t be as easy as picking up a packet of aspirin though, the pharmacist will verify age prior to dispensing and also monitor the number of prescriptions filled. The pharmacist should also check for any allergies to the non medicinal ingredients in the product
• in some US states, more women are seeking permanent methods of birth control
• the ongoing recession has cost millions of people their jobs. Planned Parenthood and other family planning clinics are seeing more and more people in their waiting rooms. Generally these clinics serve young women between 18 and 24 but now older clients and many without insurance are coming in(CCMC Push journal)
•  the FDA has approved the FC2- a cheaper and improved version of the female condom that is made from synthetic rubber instead of polyurethane
• a small study out of Pittsburgh (only 70 women) may encourage further research into the effects of low dose birth control pills on suppressing the release of anabolic hormones which help build lean muscle mass
• scientists revive dormant gene to prevent HIV transmission

SO….Plan B is now accessible to 17 year olds without a prescription. 17 year olds are, in my opinion, quite capable of taking responsibility for managing their own birth control AND emergency contraception - with support.
If you are 17 years old or younger and sexually active please read on:

• Plan B is for emergency contraception ONLY and should not be used by anybody, regardless of age, as a regular form of birth control

• decide on a long term birth control plan for your own ‘contraception career’, this may mean trialling a few low dose birth control pills until you find one that suits your metabolism or exploring the option of an implant, injection or IUD

•  be brave enough to have intelligent conversations with your parents about birth control if they give you the chance-  if not, take advantage of the ongoing advice, counselling and resources available to you through Family Planning clinics or a health expert you feel comfortable with

• ‘walk in’ and get tested for STDs so you and your friends can brag about being ‘clean’

• have fun with the new female condom if he won’t use his

Plan B does not prevent sexually transmitted infections, such as HIV/AIDS but it is effective in preventing pregnancy if taken within 72 (3 days) hours of unprotected intercourse and certainly within 120 hours (5 days).
Plan B does not contain estrogen and is not a low dose contraceptive - each pill contains 0.75mg of the progestin hormone, levonorgestrel. Two pills need to be taken, each can be taken 12 hours apart or at the same time. Plan B will not interfere with an established pregnancy- it works by preventing ovulation or fertilisation. In medical terms, pregnancy begins when a fertilised egg attaches itself to the wall of the uterus.

I don’t relish advocating medication, synthetic hormones, artificial colouring, preservatives and all the other stuff that is foreign to our bodies but when it comes to assisting young people  through their sexual journey in safety, ie. without catching an STD and without getting pregnant until they are ready,  I believe a ‘duty of care’ must balance the pros and cons. Young people need all the help they can get to access appropriate birth control and to learn to use this synthetic hormone (Plan B) responsibly.

For further information on Plan B visit this earlier post.

Sincere apologies for my absence since Christmas.  Family issues both here and overseas had to take priority but hopefully I shall be able to keep you up to date with low dose birth control information at least one or twice a month from now on and I hope you all enjoyed Valentine’s Day without any ‘unwanted’ follow ups.

 Next post-  update on male contraception methods

Yesterday I told you about the newest version of the female condom, the FC2, under review by the FDA advisory panel for marketing in the US.  The good news is confirmed that this potentially less costly method of birth control received unanimous backing-  the FC2 is still highly effective in preventing pregnancy AND STIs.

The lower price (30%?) should also make this new female condom more attractive to women which means that we females can have peace of mind and even more choice regarding how we manage our ‘contraception career’.
“I find it empowering to be able to take charge and put on the female condom myself,” says Linda Arnade, a health worker in Chicago who has used FC for three years. “I like being able to put it in several hours before sex, and the fact that the material feels stronger than latex. I once had a male condom break, but that’s never happened to me with the female condom.” Manufacturer studies show 50 to 70 percent of users find the device acceptable once they have experience using it.

Attractive to Men too- a man may feel pressured about having to maintain an erection to keep the condom on.  Maintaining an erection is not necessary when using the female condom.The cost of producing this newer version can be reduced because the new material (synthetic rubber)  allows a method to be used that is similar to the one for producing male condoms. Cost estimates range from $1.40 to $2.10 for consumers and about half that for health care organizations that distribute it.

Safe if you have an allergy to latex- the synthetic rubber is ‘user friendly’.

Most other countries have already adopted FC2 - this recent FDA approval also enables the new female condom to be sold in more countries overseas, as the U.S. Agency for International Development needs FDA approval before it can buy the cheaper version
“Female condoms are the only woman-controlled method of safer sex, and we also know what the birth control pill did for women: it allowed them an unprecedented control over their reproductive status,” said American Social Health Association Vice President Deborah Arrindell.
Mary Ann Leeper, an adviser and former president of Female Health Co said ” Even with approval, it will take time for the company to relaunch it for U.S. consumers. The company is looking for a marketing partner to help distribute it more widely.“  Health advocates say that if the government moves quickly in recommending FC2 approval, the new condom could be on U.S. pharmacy shelves--and in the hands of aid organizations that distribute it worldwide–some time in 2009.  Let’s hope they DO pass on the production savings.

Sources: Women’s eNews-Author: Molly M. Ginty

OK, so you feel a bit squeamish about even trying a female condom, called a femidom but your low dose birth control pill is not ‘cool’ when it comes to protecting you from an STI.   Expect your partner to wear a condom?  Excellent-  but it could be fun finding out if you both enjoy a ‘change’ and he is sure to be impressed that you’ve even considered something a bit different.  All part of the sexual learning curve AND combined with your low dose birth control pill, it puts YOU in the total birth control seat.
If you are happy with your low dose birth control regime, having backup, barrier protection of some kind as well is the smart thing to do.  A downside to Femidoms is that they cost more (between $2.80 and $4) than  male condoms, which come in a variety of brands and cost between 50 cents and $2 a piece. If approval is given to market the new version , the FC2 should be potentially less expensive and more durable than the current female condoms on the shelves.
Current female condoms are made of polyurethane whereas this new kind, the FC2 Female Condom, made by Female Health Co, is made of NITRILE - a form of synthetic rubber similar to male condoms. FC2 is being reviewed by an FDA advisory panel this week for its cpacity to prevent pregnancy aswell as HIV and STIs.
The new female condom is exactly the same design and is used in the same way as the current female condom which is made of polyurethane. Both versions are comprised of a sheath with a closed ring on one end that is inserted near the cervix and an open ring on the outer end that stays outside the woman’s body. Male condoms are far more widely used than their female counterpart, although you could argue that the female condom has the advantage of providing greater protection by covering part of a woman’s outer genitals. Go HERE for dias. on how to fit a female condom.
I hesitate to mention another ‘off putting’ aspect of using a femidom that rumour has it some gals complain about and that’s the rustling sound during sex, bit like putting it in a plastic bag, eh?  Well, don’t knock it till you’ve tried it at least once, if only for a giggle- sex is fun remember?   Barbara Hastings -Asatourian of Contraception Eduction Ltd. in the UK  has been working in the sexual health arena for decades and demonstrates the femidom often- here’s what she told me in an email the other day about the noise issue: “My experience of the legendary “rustle” is that it doesn’t! Female condoms have so much lube on them there’s no noise at all. The dry ones I use in demonstrations make a very little noise, and that might be where this off putting piece of folk lore came from. If there is the slightest noise to hear from a female condom one would have to have ears very close one’s vagina, and be paying a dysproportionate level of attention to it! The other noises around sex tend to be louder and more interesting, and a lot more real! Remember there may be extra pleasure to be had from positioning the female condom’s outer ring on or near the clitoris. Now that has to be worth trying….”
Many other countries, especially Africa,  have already adopted the new female condom to prevent the spread of the HIV virus but the FDA needs to sanction the product before it can be sold in the US. Watch this space folks!  Best prices for female condoms can be found at this site - just type  “female condom” into the search box. I’ll let you know when I find a site that sells the new version too.
Tomorrow I’ll let you know the decision of the FDA advisory Panel.

If you are not taking your low dose birth control pill correctly, you risk being one of the 12 women who get pregant each year while using this popular method of birth control. Why?  Because you are missing too many pills.  Apparently, while we may not admit it,  30-50% of us miss taking 3 or more low dose birth control pills per month!

Today, those of us using low dose birth control pills can avoid many of the significant side effects that the 60’s contraceptive pill inflicted on us but one leading expert,

Professor James Trussell of Princeton University in America is warning us now that even the low dose birth control pill may be ‘outdated’. Are you taking a low dose birth control pill ‘by default’ because your doctor did not offer you other options of reversible birth control (maybe because he /she is not adept at fitting IUDs or inserting implants)?

What can you use instead that will give you reliable and effective protection against pregnancy yet at the same time give you the same benefits (reduced side effects) as your low dose birth control pill?

The methods of birth control advocated by Professor Trussell, at a British Pregnancy Advisory Service conference in London, are either implants or intra - uterine devices (IUD) -  these also last longer and can be ‘fitted and forgotten’. Of course, like the low dose birth control pills, neither of these methods of contraception will protect against STDs.  Paragard is a non hormonal IUD that is safe if you smoke. IUDs can cost from $200-$500 dollars but protection lasts from 5 -10 years depending on type.  It can take up to one year to get pregnant after removing an IUD.  Watch this video on IUDs HERE and there’s more information on implants HERE.

Half of all pregnancies in America are unintended and are due to the failure/improper use of contraceptives.  It’s probably a similar situation in Australia and the UK.  If 7% of women currently using a low dose birth control pill swapped to an IUD or an implant, it’s estimated that 73,000 unintended pregnancies per year would be prevented in the UK. Let’s face it, with so much unprotected sex going on too, it’s unrealistic to think that every lass is going to rush off the next morning to get emergency contraception. If you decide on a home induced abortion and live anywhere other than the UK, you can take your first dose of the appropriate medication at a clinic then take the second at home 48 hours later. In the UK a woman has to go back to the clinic for her second dose.

GASP!

It turns out (see this chart Table 2) that low income, teenagers under the age of 20 who are living with their boyfriends and who are using the contraceptive pill have a failure rate of almost 50%.  48 of them will have a pregnancy within 12 months. 

The bottom line is:  NO type of contraceptive is reliable if you don’t strictly follow the instructions and use it as it has been designed.  Human error causes accidents!
In view of all of the above, we MUST improve the way we teach our children.  We must improve the ‘holistic’ sex education curriculum to focus on encouraging young people and singles to be much more responsible about their sexual behavior, more educated about rearing children and wiser about CHOOSING the person with whom they wish to raise a family.

Too much, too soon
Advertising and the media bombard young people with sexual imagery, encourage instant gratification while detracting from the real ‘love’ aspect of a union that creates a new life. Young people now live in a culture of “use and be used,” instead of “love and be loved.”  Whether the two parties are consenting to ‘using’ each other, doesn’t make it ok.

Source:  Jennifer Roback Morse, Ph.D., is the author of  Smart Sex: Finding Life-long Love In A Hook-up World. She blogs at jennifer-roback-morse.blogspot.com

There are 17 (seventeen) different types of birth control on the market, apart from the emergency contraceptive pill-  which one is the best for you? For a really quick reference this free, handy  FDA BIRTH CONTROL GUIDE gives you an overview of the various types of birth control available today, their success rates, risks involved with each and how to use them .  Consider using more than one type of birth control, particularly if you have multiple partners, as most types of birth control do NOT protect you against HIV/AIDS or any other sexually transmitted disease?

Of course, your initial consultation should always be with a health care provider or family planning
professional but this handy chart will at least place you in a powerful position to begin discussing the
options that are best suited to you and your circumstances.

If You Choose a Contraceptive Pill

You may find that once you have your prescription, particularly if it is for an oral contraceptive pill such as Alesse or Ortho Tri Cyclen, that ordering your contraceptive on line is the most convenient way of purchasing. Repeat Ordering on line reduces the risk of running out of pills at the end of the month (most dangerous time to miss a pill!)  and ordering several months supply at once will save you money.

It’s easy to settle into an ordering routine once you find a contraceptive pill that ‘agrees’ with you and
has few or no side effects but it is also a good idea to review your medication with your doctor at least
once a year when you go for your Pap smear.

If the first prescription does not suit you, it may be that you have AN INTOLERANCE TO ESTROGEN, an active ingredient contained in the combined contraceptive pills and need to trial a ‘progestin’ only pill (often called the ‘mini pill’). Trial a different type of oral contraceptive for a few months and hopefully you’ll find one that is acceptable- if not, your doctor will advise you of alternate methods of birth control that will be appropriate for your age and medical history.

Talk with your Partner about Types of Birth Control

Get rid of the stress, get rid of the anxiety over becoming pregnant, especially if you are a sexually active teenager. I am aware that on this site, even though I try to cater for the guys too, so much information on types of birth control seems to be targetted at ‘females only’.  I realise that there is still a very limited range of birth control options for guys but PLEASE, talk to your sexual partner(s)  about the types of birth control that you are both happy to use. It is the 21st century! Leaving all the responsibility for contraception up to women alone is just ‘not on’ anymore.

I believe that everyone deserves a joyful and healthy sex life, free from the anxiety of unwanted panic attacks (”OMG I’m pregnant!” or “OMG I’ve got an STD!”) and the facing the dilemma of abortion.I also believe that both partners should ‘want’ a child only when the time is right and let’s face it, that may be never so long term options for birth control may be the ‘go’ for some. It follows then that both
partners should be responsible for discussing, planning and managing an appropriate ‘contraceptive career’ together until that time comes around……..and with the right person.  Go get that free GUIDE now.