Abortion in the United States

A Brief History of Birth Control

Melinda Gates: Let's put birth control back on the agenda

Demystifying Contraception

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!  We are thankful for birth control!


http://twitchy.com/2013/11/28/check-out-25-people-who-are-thankful-for-birth-control-bonus-norman-rockwell-update/

Think you know the facts about contraception?  Let's us DEBUNK your misconceptions about birth control.  Learn the truth about common misconceptions.


Do you have any burning questions about staying safe in the sack?  Send us things you've heard about birth control from your friends or family, and we will set you straight.  The TRUTH will set you free!


http://www.perpetualkid.com/birth-control-gum.aspx

Shooting into the stands – Pull Out and Pray

The withdrawal method of contraception, also known as coitus interruptus, is the practice of withdrawing the penis from the vagina and away from a woman's external genitals before ejaculation to prevent pregnancy.  

 

http://owaahh.wordpress.com/2012/09/30/philosophical-musings-on-the-withdrawal-method/

While it may seem like a perfectly good alternative – make sure you know what you’re doing!  Sperm may enter the vagina if withdrawal isn't properly timed or if pre-ejaculation fluid contains sperm. Men who use the pull out method must be able to know when they are reaching the point in sexual excitement when ejaculation can no longer be stopped or postponed. If you cannot predict this moment accurately, withdrawal will not be as effective.

Why some do it?

-It’s Free.

-No prescription, no fitting.

-No medical or hormonal side effects.

-Enjoy praying.

Why some shouldn’t?

-No protection from STDs/STIs – HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, etc.

-Disrupts sexual pleasure – can leave you sexually frustrated or dissatisfied

-Less effective way to prevent pregnancy (As many as 22 out of 100 women who practice the withdrawal method for one year will get pregnant.)

Studies have found actual failure rates of 15–28% per year. In comparison, the pill has an actual use failure rate of 2–8%, while the intrauterine device (IUD) has an actual use failure rate of 0.8%.The condom has an actual use failure rate of 10–18%.

Moral of the story? – Don’t be afraid to aim for the net, but make sure you get a goalie! 

Don’t listen to all the rumors you hear, and find out for yourself. Modern methods can vary from condoms, to IUDs, pills, injections, or subdermal implants.  Schedule a visit with your OB/GYN physician and discuss all your options to see what works best for you and your partner.

True Life: I use a ParaGard IUD

Curious about this copper IUD?  Listen to Christina as she shares her personal experience about the ParaGard IUD! 

 

Just a quickie: ParaGard is an intrauterine device (IUD) that is placed into your uterus for long-term birth control (contraception).

This T-shaped plastic frame is wrapped with copper wire coils that continuously release copper to bathe the lining of the uterus. 

It produces an inflammatory reaction that is toxic to sperm!  If fertilization does occur, ParaGard keeps the fertilized egg from implanting in the lining of the uterus.

100% hormone free and doesn't alter your periods.
 

 

NuvaRing -a reintroduction

Taking the Pill everyday becoming hard to swallow?

Maybe try and put a ring on it!

         -A NuvaRing©   that is.  

Over 50 years since it was first introduced, the pill is the most popular method of birth control in the US.

Today's post is dedicated to reintroducing the NuvaRing, another method of hormonal birth control, which works in a way very similar to the pill.

First released over 10 years ago, the NuvaRing offers the same effectiveness of the pill but without the commitment of remembering to take it everyday around the same time. It is a soft, flexible, small plastic ring filled with hormones that you insert into your vagina once a month.

                Yes that's right, vaginal insertion. While it may sound "technical," ladies who regularly use tampons should have no problems managing this with no extra special skills required. In fact they sell applicators to keep things simple.

                 

Like the pill, the ring works by giving off two hormones to prevent the ovaries from releasing eggs (a process called ovulation).  Also like the pill, the NuvaRing comes with similar risks. The pill and the ring both carry increased risks of forming blood clots. Women who smoke are at even more of a risk of getting these clots which can lead to stroke, heart attack and potentially fatal condition called pulmonary embolism.

The best candidate for the NuvaRing is a woman who is comfortable with the variety risks and benefits of using hormonal methods of birth control. In fact a woman like this might be pretty much happy with her pill but at the end of each pack always seems to wonder..

                      Did I miss any days? or Why do I have extra pills left (in addition to the sugar pills)?   and ultimately: Could I be pregnant?

After the NuvaRing is inserted its left in for three weeks, removed for one week (where you should have your period) and then a new ring is inserted at the end of the 4th week. A new ring every month, it can be as simple as that!

So now that we've reintroduced the NuvaRing,  lets recap:

99% EFFECTIVE and ONLY ONCE A MONTH!  NuvaRing users can enjoy the same effectiveness as the ever popular pill while only having to re-insert a new ring once a month. If needed it can be taken out for up to 3 hrs a day and still be effective. Users who wish to take it out for sexual intercourse need simply rinse it off and re-insert within 3 hours of removal.

Vaginal Insertion?

 We mentioned the risks&benefits of using the ring would be essentially the same as using the pill. Unlike with the pill, the most common side effect with the  NuvaRing is an increase in vaginal secretions and vaginitis. Vaginitis is inflammation of the vaginal tissue that can cause itching & pain. In a study of 2500 women(done by makers of the NuvaRing), 5-14% experienced side effects like this.

No Smoking Allowed

  As with the pill, the hormones in NuvaRing increase the risk of forming blood clots that can cause stroke, heart attacks or a pulmonary embolism. Smoking cigarettes (e-cigs too) makes the blood even more likely to form these clots. Don't forget ladies, its always a good time to quit smoking!

Expulsion!  Its possible for the NuvaRing to come out on its own, during sex or even in the bathroom. If this happens, simply rinse and reinsert. In the first 2 weeks after insertion, if the ring is left out of the vagina for more then 3 hours, a backup barrier method (like condoms) should be used.   

Always Protect Yourself!

As with any other non-barrier method (like the pill) the NuvaRing will not protect you against STDs such as HIV.

Now that you know the NuvaRing a little better, perhaps you will find it's right for you or someone you know!

Post any comments or questions you have about this or other methods of birth control here or on our other social media outlets. We promise prompt responses so follow us at  Speculumdiaries on Instagram and on facebook.

Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself!

Ladies and gentlemen, you better check yourself to protect yourself.  Let's make safe sex sexy!

Did the condom break?  Not ready for a baby?  Is that an STD?

Inspired by our educational parody #Contraceptive Lines, which features different contraceptive methods to the tune of Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines," we are on a mission to spread the word on how to keep you safe in the sack.

Meet and greet: Skyla.  The newest IUD on the block.

Over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy for up to 3 years.

This soft, T-shaped flexible plastic fits inside your uterus and made by the same company that makes the Mirena IUD.  It works pretty much the same way by releasing a low dose of levonorgestrel (14 mcg/ day).

Available by prescription only.  Make sure to do an easy monthly check, and your healthcare provider can show you how.

Benefits:  

• Can be removed at any time.  Completely reversible.  Just a quick trip to your healthcare provider.
• FDA-approved and can be used whether or not you have had a child.  Skyla has been tested and marketed for women who haven't had children. 
• Decreased period cramps and pain. Changes in bleeding patterns can occur.
• Lighter periods.  Still expect visits from your Aunt Flow!
• Convenient: No regular trips to the pharmacy or clinic!  Ain't nobody got time for that?  Skyla is good up to 3 years.

Common Side Effects:

• Headaches, nausea, breast tenderness, and depression. 
• Pain, bleeding or dizziness sometimes during the placement.  However, the smaller frame and narrow packaging tube makes for a more comfortable experience.  Sorry IUD placement is no walk in the park.
• May come out by itself.  This occurs in about 3% of women.
• Ovarian cysts:  About 14% of women using Skyla develop a cyst on the ovary.  They usually disappear on their own in a month or two, but can cause pain and may require surgery.

 Complications:

• Infections: PID (pelvic inflammatory disease) less than 1% of users and sepsis (rare, but life-threatening infection).
• Perforation: Less than 0.1% of users experienced perforation in clinical trials.
• Pregnancy: Although pregnancy while using Skyla is uncommon (less than 1 in 100), it can be serious.  Unusual vaginal bleeding or pain in your stomach is concerning.

Skyla does not protect against HIV or STDs.

Where can I find Skyla?

Coming to a healthcare provider near you soon.  Skyla is slated to hit the market right about now and has already been FDA approved.