Using VCF for Birth Control

Are you currently using birth control? There are tons of different types of birth control available, but you may not be familiar with all of them. The most common types known are the birth control pill, condoms, or maybe even vasectomy. These are all very effective, but might not be the best fit for everyone.

For example, a man may not feel comfortable getting a vasectomy. It may be for personal reasons, but if a vasectomy is not an option, then he and his partner need to consider other options. Condoms are a good next choice, but condoms are about 98 % effective. To be sure, there are no methods of preventing pregnancy that work 100% of the time except abstinence, but who wants that?

The birth control pill is probably the most common method of pregnancy prevention that women use. As long as you remember to take it, it definitely does the job. However, remembering to take the pill is only part of the process. Unfortunately, birth control pills have hormone ingredients that take a major toll on the female body. All kinds of side effects have been discovered from taking the pill - including headaches, mood swings, and even painful breasts.

Not only that, hormone-based contraception like the pill has been linked to an increased risk of some types of cancers. This makes taking the pill an even harder task to follow through with on a daily basis. When you're worrying about avoiding pregnancy, the last thing you want to worry about is whether or not you're putting yourself at increased risk of cancer, too.

There is another method of birth control that works amazingly well, without all the negative side effects associated with the pill. It's called VCF, which is an abbreviation for Vaginal Contraceptive Film.

VCF is a tiny, clear square of film that a woman places inside her vagina. It contains the same spermicide that you'd find in condoms. It has almost no side effects of any kind, other than an occasional irritation. However, even the irritation is only reported less than 3 percent of the time. That means you're highly unlikely to experience any problems with VCF if you decide to use it. And, it's been shown to be 94% effective in preventing pregnancy.

VCF shouldn't be used if you aren't supposed to get pregnant for health reasons, because it's not 100% effective. But if you're looking for a way to be intimate with your partner with all the benefits of a condom without the barrier, VCF is worth looking into.

Health and Fitness: Contraceptives Birth Control Article Category

When a woman has determined that she has had all the children she wishes to have and that she does not want any additional children in the future, a surgical procedure called tubal ligation surgery is usually recommended. Most women have heard of this procedure and commonly refer to it as " getting your tubes tied".

Tubal ligation surgery is a procedure in which a woman's fallopian tubes are cut, tied, or blocked to prevent future fertilization and implantation during sexual intercourse. There are many approaches to this surgery, and with today's more minimally invasive techniques, it is no longer considered major abdominal surgery. In many cases, it can be done as an outpatient procedure. Depending on the type of tubal ligation procedure that is performed, the surgery can take up to about thirty minutes. Some women may choose to have the procedure done while they are delivering their children via C-section since the abdomen is already open.

According to the Women's Specialists of Plano, Texas, tubal ligation is considered female sterilization, and only your doctor will know which procedure is most suitable for your body and lifestyle. A few of the tubal ligation approaches are:

• Laparoscopic Tubal Ligation: During this procedure your gynecologist will insert a small camera and surgical instruments through a very small incision made in the abdomen. The tubal ligation will take place via this method which is considered a more minimally invasive approach.
• Mini-Laparotomy: During this procedure your gynecologist will perform the surgery by making an incision in the abdomen about 2 inches in length.
• Post-Partum Tubal Ligation: This procedure is very similar to the mini-lap, except that the incision will be made just below the belly button because the fallopian tubes are higher in body after childbirth. Many women will choose to have the procedure done at this time because it eliminates having to have two separate recovery periods.
• Trans-Uterine Tubal Occlusion: This procedure is performed with anesthesia. The cervix is dilated and a hysterscope is placed in the uterine cavity. The opening of the tube into the uterus is identified and a "plug" is placed into the fallopian tube as it passes through the uterine wall.
• Open Tubal Ligation: This procedure is performed when a woman desires a tubal after delivering via caesarean section, because the abdomen is already open. This procedure is also performed when a woman has pelvic inflammatory disease, or is already receiving a surgery which requires the opening of the abdomen.

The recovery period after most tubal ligations is about a week although you will most likely leave the hospital within a few hours after surgery. Because the procedure is immediately effective, you can maintain sexual activity as soon as you feel well enough.

If you change your mind after receiving a tubal ligation surgery and decide that you may want to have children in the future, there is a reversal procedure. It is important to note that tubal ligation reversals are very expensive and in many cases are not effective. The statistics are somewhat low regarding women having children after a reversal has taken place.

Because tubal ligation is considered permanent, it is vital that a woman understand all of her options and evaluate all of the pros and cons:

Pros:

• Female sterilization that is effective immediately
• It can be done at the same time as other surgeries like C-section during following the immediate birth of a child or during the removal of ovarian cysts
• It is a very reliable form of permanent birth control
• Requires no daily attention (such as with the birth control pills, condoms, etc.)
• More cost effective in the long run then a daily procedure
• Allows for sexual spontaneity

Cons:

• It is a surgery and with every surgery, there are risks to consider
• The procedure is not 100% reversible in the event of regret
• Does not protect against STD's (only the proper use of condoms can do this)
• Is more expensive than the male form of permanent contraception (vasectomy)

If you are researching permanent birth control for women, it is suggested that you do proper research and reflection to be sure that you will not regret the decision in the future. If you are sure about your decision to receive permanent birth control (female sterilization), join your doctor so that the two of you can discuss which procedure will be most fitting to your life.

Ultrasound Safety and Technology

A reader recently asked an interesting question:

"Can ultrasound cause hearing problems for babies? My doctor told me that it could. I had an ultrasound each month during my first four months of pregnancy when I lived in South America, but I have not had an ultrasound since I moved to the United States. Also, every pregnant woman in South America has a three-dimensional ultrasound. I haven't heard about that in the United States."

There is no confirmed evidence that ultrasound causes hearing problems or has any adverse affect on the developing fetus. One poorly designed study done a few years ago suggested there was a risk of the babies experiencing hearing loss due to ultrasound, but the way the research was performed made many scientists think the conclusions were incorrect. Since then, no other scientist has been able to find the same results. Replication is one of the hallmarks of scientific research.

Most of my practice consists of performing ultrasounds, and I believe in the value of well-performed ultrasound in pregnancy. On the other hand, no research has proven that there is a benefit to having monthly ultrasounds either. I realize parents-to-be like to see their baby by ultrasound, but I can't fault your doctor for not doing monthly ultrasounds in a healthy pregnancy.

For "low-risk" pregnancies, I recommend one really thorough ultrasound at 16 to 20 weeks gestation (as measured from the last menstrual period) to look at the baby's anatomy and check for any problems with the heart or other major organs. I also recommend looking for the most experienced team with the best equipment in your area to perform the scan. The "team" may consist of a sonographer, or technician, who obtains the images and a sonologist, the physician, who interprets them. Many studies have shown that experience pays off in terms of the detection rate of problems; those who see a lot of problems day in and day out are more familiar with how things should or shouldn't appear.

Many insurance companies now cover one ultrasound in uncomplicated pregnancies. Some insurance companies in our area require that the ultrasound be performed only in places accredited by independent groups s. Don't be afraid to ask if the practice examining your baby is accredited.

As for 3-D ultrasound, it is an exciting development in technology, but not standard at the present time. I am one of a number of doctors who specialize in ultrasound who are working with 3-D ultrasound to determine its proper role. Three-dimensional ultrasound uses computer technology to reconstruct the ultrasound image beyond the usual thin slices we obtain with a standard prenatal ultrasound. The pictures can look like sculptures rather than two-dimensional paintings. Right now we consider 3-D something that may be useful in addition to standard imaging, but it is not a requirement for standard care.

Chances of Getting Pregnant

Could the position of my uterus affect my chances of getting pregnant?

Your uterus lies in the midline of your pelvis. It may be angled slightly toward your abdominal wall (anteverted) or toward your rectum (retroverted). The body of the uterus may also be angled from the plane of the cervix in either an anterior or posterior manner (anteflexion or retroflexion). Picture your forearm and hand as representing the body of your uterus and your cervix. The two parts can be aligned and tilted in a straight line, or you can bend your wrist, creating an angle between "the uterus" and "the cervix." If the uterus is mobile, there are generally no symptoms associated with the position of the uterus.

Most positional differences are anatomic variations that occur from woman to woman. Normally, the uterus is in a position of anteversion. Retroversion of the uterus may be present at birth, may be a consequence of childbirth (due to relaxation of the pelvic ligaments), or may be the result of a disease process in the pelvis.

The orientation of a woman's uterus, as determined at birth, has no relation to fertility in and of itself. In some cases, a sharp backward tilt (retroflexion) of the uterus can cause the cervix to be positioned against the anterior vaginal wall. For some couples, this prevents the cervix from being able to "bathe" in the pool of semen that naturally collects in the posterior vaginal vault after intercourse. This may prevent the sperm from swimming into the cervical canal to reach a released ovum for fertilization.

Additionally, there are certain conditions that may cause a sharp retroflexion of the uterus. These include endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease and uterine fibroids. Endometriosis can lead to scarring of the utero-sacral ligaments that may pull the uterus into a fixed retroverted position. As endometriosis can affect fertility, I think you should discuss this with your healthcare provider. Since you have been trying to conceive for the past year, it would be reasonable to undergo additional testing to help evaluate your fertility status. Then you may be able to determine whether or not the position of your uterus is related to a delay in conception.

Pregnancy can occur without penetration into the vagina. Pregnancy can also occur at various times during your cycle, particularly for women who have irregular periods. And yes, some women do experience bleeding at the time of their expected menstruation even though they are pregnant.

Intimacy of this nature can have serious consequences, including pregnancy and the spreading of sexually transmitted diseases (AIDS, herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, HPV, etc.). While it is unlikely that you conceived, it is possible. A pregnancy test may be reassuring.

Health and Fitness: Contraceptives Birth Control Article Category

Did you know that your teenage daughter can get a birth control implant without your consent? This might sound scary to some of us but the NHS seems to think that it is preferable to unplanned teenage pregnancy. Of course it is not just pregnancy that is the issue but also the risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted disease. Initially the rate of teenage pregnancies did not appear to be on the decrease despite numerous campaigns and it seemed that trying to convince teenagers not to have sex or have safer sex was not working that well and that encouraging contraception was a more viable alternative.

Contraceptives like the pill and condoms are only effective when used correctly but condoms need to be on hand at the appropriate time and pills may be forgotten. According to the UK Office for National Statistics 'The number of conceptions to girls aged under 16 was 7,158 in 2009, compared with 7,586 in 2008 (a decrease of 5.6 per cent). Three-fifths (59.8 per cent) of conceptions to girls aged under 16 in 2009 led to a legal abortion.' If this trend continues downwards can we then thank contraceptives for the change? Should we then be encouraging increased uptake?

It appears that some teenagers still operate under the assumption that 'it won't happen to me' despite sex education so if you can't stop your teenagers from having sex when they have chosen to how can we protect them from the unintended consequences? In the past parents would argue that it's physically, emotionally and psychologically beneficial to keep sexual activity within the bounds of a lifelong mutually faithful relationship but does this thinking still resonate with our teenagers today?

So what is the birth control implant anyway? Implanon is the brand name for the small, rod-shaped subdermal implant containing etonogestrel which is a synthetic form of the female sex hormone, progesterone produced by the ovary to prevent the release of eggs. The hormones released by the implant prevent pregnancy for up to three years after which they must be replaced. It can be inserted below the skin on the inner part of the upper arm by a trained clinician in a few minutes.

The benefits to using the implant are that once it is properly inserted it requires no follow-up action and is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. It is also discrete because it is not visible under the skin although it can be felt when touching the skin over the implant. There is no need for teenagers to be reminded to take the contraceptive regularly. Although the implant is safe to use possible side-effects include irregular bleeding, spotting, heavy periods or no period at all. It is also critical to remember that the implant offers no protection against sexually transmitted diseases or HIV.

So what would you think if your teenage daughter went behind your back and got the implant? Alternatively, what would you think of a parent that insists that their teenage daughter gets an implant? Ultimately, it is her body so should it be her choice?

Birth Control and the Importance of Choice

In weighing birth control options, "How much is plan B?" is a vital question to ask. Each birth control method differs from the other, and these differences aren't manifested only in terms of cost. They differ in the way they are administered, in how often they need to be used, in how long they stay effective, in their possible side effects, and others. Also, each birth control method needs to fit the needs of the person who wants to use it, so it's mostly on a case-by-case basis. However, before even beginning to weigh these options, people first need to understand exactly what this is all about.

Birth control or contraception is an important aspect of family planning. All living beings are precious, and the quality of life is something we need to guard conscientiously. When babies are born in this world, it should be because they are wanted. It should be because their parents are excited to see them and give them full, quality lives. Raising a child is an enormous responsibility, and only those who are ready to take that responsibility should do it. This is precisely one of the reasons why contraceptives exist. Contraceptives are there to prevent any unwanted pregnancies, thereby ensuring the quality of life - not only for the babies that do get born, but for the children who are already here. Various methods of birth control have been used to plan the spacing between children, and families are all the better for it. Timing is a very important part of family planning, because not only should they ask themselves if they are responsible enough to raise a child, they should also ask themselves if NOW is a good time to do so. This proactive stance parents take is admirable, because it shows that they are really giving a lot of thought into planning their family life.

Of course, this isn't just about family planning. It is also useful for a lot of health reasons. Some contraceptives have been used to prevent the spreading of sexually transmitted diseases, which continue to affect so many people everywhere in the world. We live in different times, and people are free to make their own choices, but to be responsible about those choices is another thing. No sexually active adult in the right mind would risk contracting a sexually transmitted disease if properly educated about it and the ways to prevent it. This is another reason why contraceptives exist.

At the end of the day, this is about the choices we make. Choosing to practice birth control is actually about taking responsibility for your sexual life. But the choice does not end there. Birth control is not a bag of jelly beans that people pick randomly from. You know your individual needs, so the next step is to fit those needs with the various options available. The bottom line is that it's important to make an informed choice when it comes to birth control, and because information is now readily available, this shouldn't be too hard to do.

Considering the Contraceptive IUD

The contraceptive IUD is a relatively no fuss, insert and forget form of birth control. It can provide an extremely high level of protection and when it works well with your body can be left for years at a time with minimal check ups.

Available in a hormonal and a copper IUD, both are small devices that are fitted inside a woman's uterus to prevent pregnancy. They work by changing the lining of the uterus making it inhospitable for pregnancy and preventing sperm from being able to travel through the uterus and fertilize eggs. The hormonal IUD also thickens mucus and stops sperm from entering the cervix.

The contraceptive IUD is perfect for busy women who don't want the concern of taking a daily pill or the fuss of other more cumbersome female contraceptives. Best suited to women in stable relationships who are at minimal risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection, when the IUD works, it really is a peace of mind contraception.

The main advantages of the contraceptive IUD are that firstly it is very long lasting, the with hormonal IUD lasting up to five years and the copper IUD a staggering 10 years. Both IUD's are also relatively inexpensive.

The disadvantages vary depending on the type of IUD. For example the copper IUD can result in heavier more painful periods, where the hormonal IUD usually results in lighter periods or no bleeding at all. Both can cause abdominal pain and cramping and have a risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease.

Although the contraceptive IUD does have some disadvantages and like all other forms of female contraception, possible side effects, one of the biggest adjustments when using the IUD is not necessarily physical but rather mental.

It can take quite a bit of getting used to not having to worry about falling pregnant or fretting about whether or not it's really working. Once of the contraceptive IUD's main advantages is that it cannot be felt by either the woman or her partner during intercourse, which at first can cause a little uncertainty when it is first being used. It can also take a while for some women to come to terms with having a permanent plastic or copper device sitting inside their uterus.

To offer piece of mind, most coils have a piece of string or fine nylon threads attached to the lower end that curtail through the cervix and into the upper vagina. Their purpose is to make for easy insertion and removal of the IUD (both of which can only by performed by a doctor) but they are also there so the woman can reach inside and ensure that the contraceptive IUD is still in place, sitting where it is supposed to be.

Doing this can also take a bit of getting used to and it can be rather unnerving if you can't locate the threads. In some instances, the threads can be pushed partially or completely out of the uterus. Or in rare cases, the device can slip through the wall of uterus and in to the pelvic area. This is called uterine perforation and in this event the IUD can only be removed during surgery.

However, for the majority of women who choose to use the IUD contraceptive, once their body has adjusted to the device enjoy the benefits that it provides. The main benefit being that once inside it is left to do the job it is meant to do.

All in all the side effects of intrauterine contraception are no more than other forms of contraception. If it works well with your lifestyle and you are in a monogamous relationship, the IUD can be very advantageous. Another huge benefit is that once removed, there is generally a very quick turnaround back to fertility.